East Hampton Town’s Longtime Clerk Won't Seek Reelection

Carole Brennan, East Hampton Town’s clerk since 2014 and its deputy clerk for 20 years before that, will not seek reelection, completing a 36-year career with the town.

The clerk’s office handles most of the permits issued by the town, for things from home improvement licenses, taxis, films and shellfish to boat launching and beach parking.

“That all has to be logged in, sent to the departments and filed,” Brennan said. “Every bid that comes in is filed in the office. All the lawsuits come through the town clerk. There’s a lot going on in that office that people don’t know about, including some town employees — I don’t think they know the magnitude of what goes on there.”

Brennan’s tenure began by accident, she recalled last week.

“I wasn’t even coming for a job,” she said. “My husband worked at the scavenger plant,” which was shuttered in 2014, “and his secretary had to leave. I just went in and typed up some letters, and I liked it. I liked the people, and the people coming into the office.”

For a time, she worked in the tax receiver’s office, but “there really wasn’t enough there to keep me busy.” The lifelong Sag Harbor resident and Pierson High School graduate returned to the town clerk’s office, and successfully ran for deputy clerk in 1993.

Twenty years later, she sought the top job in the clerk’s office, running unopposed and cross-endorsed by the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Independence parties.

“After being deputy for 20 years, I felt I was the best candidate,” Brennan told The East Hampton Press in 2013, adding that her time at Town Hall had given her a comprehensive understanding of local government. She has served three four-year terms as clerk.

She ran for clerk on a platform based in part on digitizing records, which has brought efficiency and speed to the work.

“Thank God that’s all computerized,” she said. “Otherwise, I just can’t imagine it.”

“Carole Brennan has been a joy to work with these last 12 years,” Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said this week. “Folks don’t always realize the breadth of responsibilities entrusted to the town clerk. She sees folks at the best of times, couples getting their marriage licenses and multi-generational families picking up their shellfishing licenses, as well as the saddest of times, family members needing a death certificate for a loved one.

“Carole also is the keeper of town records and ensures that the agendas for Town Board meetings are timely and complete, which is no small feat. Her professionalism, vast institutional knowledge and tremendous sense of humor will be greatly missed when she retires.”

Brennan’s future plans include travel, she said. “And then if I’m bored,” she said, “which I probably won’t be between my cake making and crafting and stuff, I think I’d like to work at a law firm. Maybe I’ll just do part-time at a law firm.”

Two candidates, Michael Hansen and Jeff Miller, have screened for the clerk’s position on the Democratic Party ticket, said Anna Skrenta, chairwoman of the East Hampton Democratic Committee.

Manny Vilar, chairman of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee, said that the committee will not make candidate announcements until later this month.

As her retirement looms, Brennan voiced one lament. “People just aren’t as nice as they used to be,” she said of visitors to the clerk’s office. “I don’t understand it. And I have always maintained that if somebody came in and got loud, I got up. I didn’t expect my counter help to go through that.

“Everybody feels they’re entitled now,” she said. “It’s difficult.”

Along with the supervisor, members of the Town Board were effusive in their praise for the long-serving town clerk.

“Carole’s service to this town has been incredible,” Councilman Tom Flight said this week. “Her diligence and professionalism in her role as town clerk are a testament to her character. I wish her every happiness in her retirement.”

“Carole’s vast wealth of knowledge and devotion to East Hampton is perhaps unmatched in modern day governing,” added Councilman David Lys. Her “steadfast dedication to protecting the processes in place of East Hampton Town government are enviable by other municipalities. For myself, she has been more than just a workmate, she has become a dear friend.”

“Carole has served with integrity and dedication for many years, leaving a lasting legacy in East Hampton,” said Councilman Ian Calder-Piedmonte. “The role of town clerk is vital to our community, and we have been fortunate to have someone like Carole who consistently acted with the best interests of our town at heart. She will be greatly missed, and I wish her nothing but the best in her retirement.”

“I am deeply appreciative of Carole Brennan’s long service to our community and to our municipal government,” added Councilwoman Cate Rogers. “Carole has been a trusted gatekeeper for access to many of the services the town provides as well as the town records and has led the town clerk’s office through many challenging times over the years, including weather emergencies and COVID. Carole has set the standard for integrity and respect for her office.

“I wish Carole every blessing as she embarks on her next journey.”