Some tweaks left in Long Wharf transfer

While the Suffolk Legislature has balked at turning Long Wharf over to Sag Harbor, it has agreed to put $400,000 into its 2013 capital budget to cover maintenance costs, according to Suffolk Legis. Jay Schneiderman (R-Sag Harbor).

The county wanted to transfer the wharf — the dock that is the home to Bay Street Theater, restaurants, and several yachts each summer — last year, because it typically spends $100,000 a year on maintenance even as the Village of Sag Harbor keeps the $80,000 raised in special events fees and rentals on the 700-foot long steel-sided dock.

When the village board voted in February to accept ownership of Long Wharf, the only remaining step appeared to be a Suffolk Legislature resolution. But earlier this month, the legislature refused to make the deal and instead put the $400,000 maintenance project in its 2013 capital budget and extended the village’s contract to operate the wharf until June 2012.

That, Schneiderman said, will give the county and the village time to negotiate a revenue-sharing arrangement. He is setting up a committee of village residents to explore ways of generating revenue to cover the maintenance costs.

“One thing I’m against ... we’re not going to have paid parking,” Schneiderman said.