Southampton Village Schedules Hearing on Proposal To Extend Term Lengths for Mayor and Trustees

The Southampton Village Board is poised to extend the terms of office for the mayor and trustees from two years to four years, although the public will have the chance to weigh in before a final decision is made.

At a work session on Tuesday night, October 24, the board scheduled a public hearing for November 9 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall, where members of the public can voice their opinions about the proposed local law.

The board is not required to make the term changes via referendum with a proposition on the annual village ballot, and is not even required by law to hold a public hearing on the matter. Under New York State village law, term lengths can be extended via a resolution, which does not require a public hearing, or via a local law, which does.

The board opted for a local law.

Should the law pass, it is subject to a permissive referendum, which means a referendum could be forced onto the ballot if village voters who object collect enough signatures on a petition.

The board unanimously approved the resolution to hold the public hearing.

Personnel Moves

Also at the work session, the board unanimously approved a settlement agreement with employee Gregg Keghlian, a court officer and part-time police officer who, back in late 2021, had filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the village alleging discrimination and retaliation. Terms of the settlement agreement were not immediately available.

The board also approved a resolution allowing Charlene Kagel-Betts, who announced her retirement earlier this month from her role as village administrator, to remain with the village as a part-time treasurer at an annual salary of $35,000.

The board unanimously approved the hiring of Karen Bontempo as assistant to the mayor, at an annual salary of $82,500, effective October 20. She had been the deputy village clerk.

Gilmartin Recognized

A member of the Southampton Village Planning Commission was honored at the work session on Tuesday night, after announcing she’d be stepping down from the role. The board awarded a proclamation to Pamela Gilmartin, who served on the Planning Commission for six years, and was a 10-year member of the Planning Board prior to that.

Manger appointed Michel Brogard as her replacement, for a term commencing on October 24 and expiring in June 2025.

Solar Benches Coming

A trio of solar charging benches will be added to the village in the near future, adding to the green infrastructure initiatives the village has undertaken lately. The benches, built by Plaza Solar, will provide residents and visitors with a place to sit and charge their phones. A donation of $2,500 from the Southampton Association will help cover the $11,985 total cost of the benches, with the rest being paid for out of the village special projects fund.