Bellport Village has hired Davidoff, Hutcher & Cintron LLP to aid in applying for a piece of a $1 billion federal Fire Island to Montauk Point project, a funding source for hurricane protection and beach erosion control, that is being sent to Congress for additional authorization. The grant control includes a variety of coastal and wetland restoration projects using the natural environment to reduce flooding, erosion and storm damage while preserving the natural environment.

“We’d like $4 million,” Bellport mayor Ray Fell said. That money would be applied to install a wave attenuator on the east side of the marina to protect the dock against southeast winds, he said, as well as replace the stick dock.

“The stick dock is wood with wood pilings that’s been there for 50 years,” Fell said.

“We worry about the safety of our dock guards,” added trustee Mike Ferrigno. “The current stick dock isn’t stable.”

It’s also narrow, Ferrigno pointed out, at four and a half feet wide. Almost on cue, two people passed; they had to walk single file. “Think about when the wind is blowing,” Ferrigno said.

If approved for funding, the wave attenuator, or break wall, would be placed off the eastern corner of the main dock; it would extend out 400 feet towards the eastern end of the stick dock.