East Hampton Town Council Fills Vacant Seat

As expected, the East Hampton Town Council voted Tuesday night to appoint Chatham Carillo to serve on the seat vacated by William Devine's resignation on Nov. 3.

 "People have asked for a new face and this answers that," Councilwoman Barbara Moore said.

Carillo, a 1994 graduate of East Hampton High School, had been appointed during the Nov. 23 meeting. However, questions raised over the Hatch Act by councilwoman Sue Weintraub, and later by Kimberly Fontaine during public comment, resulted in the appointment being rescinded so that the council could obtain more information.

Enacted in 1939, the Hatch Act limits political activities of federal, state and local government employees. It prohibits federal employees from running for partisan office and state and local employees from running if their position has received any federal funds. Town attorney Jean D'Aquila determined the Hatch Act did not apply in this case.

Carillo, who earned a BS in environmental studies from the University of Maine and a Masters of Public Administration Degree from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., is a legislative aide for state Sen. Eileen Daily (D).

Fontaine, a Republican, and Chatham Party Chairman Kyle Dostaler were the other candidates under consideration.

In other business, Despite expressing some reservations, the council unanimously approved a school administrator's contract. The contract calls for a 1.8 percent salary increase over the two-year agreement and includes a one-time $2,000 annuity. Some council members raised concerns that the contract did not call for a zero percent increase, citing that is the reality facing families today, as well as the town's budget constraints. Had the contract been rejected, the matter would have gone to arbitration with an estimated cost to the town of $25,000 to $40,000. … The council is looking for people to serve on a subcommittee to select a search firm and assist in the process that will decide on three candidates to fill the town manager's position. The council, which wants the finalists presented to them by June 15, will make the final decision. The new town manager would start July 1, replacing acting Town Manager Bob Drewry. … A public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance to establish the East Hampton Arts and Cultural Commission (EHACC). The ordinance was unanimously passed and appointments to the commission will be made in January. There will be no staff support for the commission, which will determine what involvement they need from the town.