A Hempstead Town proposal to crack down on waterfront homeowners who lease boat slips on their backyard docks prompted outrage at a town board meeting Tuesday.

The bill would limit the number of legally rentable boat slips a homeowner could offer based on the size of their property.

Opponents to the plan say it doesn't really benefit anyone. It would cost homeowners money — possibly a substantial amount — they say. And it limits options for boat owners who see only a limited number of slips in town-owned marinas that they argue are in disrepair.

"How do people want to rent spots there that aren't safe?" asks Dominica Califano, of Island Park. "They'd rather rent spots in the back of people's houses that are much safer, much neater."

The private slips also include running water and electricity as an added benefit to boaters, she says.

Councilman Anthony d'Esposito told News 12 last week that renters tend to bring more garbage and traffic to the water.

"Renting residential dock space for boat storage is becoming an eyesore in our beautiful community," he said.

Elisabeth Vuckovic, of Wantagh, disagrees.

"Our boaters are respectful. They love the water," she said.