East Hampton Town Supervisor Won't Seek Third Term

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell is bidding adieu to the town's top seat.

Cantwell announced the news in a Facebook post Friday: "Friends, after 42 years serving the community I love as a public official I have decided I will not seek re-election for a third term as town supervisor. I can't possibly thank everyone enough for your support and encouragement over these years. Love this town!"

Although he has a year left in his current term, Cantwell told Patch Friday what prompted his decision.

"I was just reflecting with my family over the holidays, thinking about a 42-year career. Basically, this is a personal choice. I want to spend more time doing the things that I enjoy with family and friends," he said.

Cantwell said there are a number of projects he's put on hold at home, during his time as supervisor, that he'd like to get caught up on.

And, he said, he looks forward to having the flexibility to travel.

"I'm also looking forward to missing fewer of my grandchildren's Little League, baseball and basketball games here in East Hampton — and to just enjoying myself," he said.

Before leaving office, Cantwell said he has goals he hopes to accomplish.

He'd like to implement a water quality program, after the voters turned out in November to support the extension of the Community Preservation Fund program, allowing for up to 20 percent of funds to be used for water quality, he said.

"We're going to be developing very specific locations where we are going to try and begin an incentive program for homeowners to replace septic systems in environmentally sensitive areas," he said.

In addition, Cantwell said, the hope is to "try and get our hands around East Hampton Airport and the noise issues there," despite recent legal setbacks.

The supervisor also hopes to continue to maintain quality of life in Montauk during the summer months, as well as throughout East Hampton Town, remaining vigilant in code enforcement efforts, he said.

Cantwell said he has a message to the public: "I'm deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I've received from the community over 42 years; it's something I'm going to be forever grateful for. I love this town, and I love the people that live in it."

A lifetime of service

During his years in office, Cantwell has fought diligently to protect his constituents and the East End from the impacts of helicopter noise; he's also made strides in trying to crack down on quality of life concerns such as overcrowding and loud parties in town and has worked to restore beaches and protect downtown Montauk.

Cantwell, a Democrat, first announced his initial run for East Hampton Town supervisor in April, 2013.

A public servant for 37 years before he even ran for town supervisor, Cantwell was the youngest elected bay constable and elected twice to the town board. Before winning the race for supervisor he served as the East Hampton Village Administrator.

When he first announced his retirement, he said he hadn't intended on running for supervisor, a position formerly held by Bill Wilkinson, a Republican who did not seek re-election.

However, in the months that followed he received a groundswell of support, and it became apparent, he said, that "To resolve these critical issues we need a leader now more than ever who is a consensus builder."

As the chief financial officer of the Village of East Hampton, he guided village finances to an accumulated surplus every year for three decades. "I am prepared to manage town finances with the same vigilance," he said, in 2013.

From the start, Cantwell also pledged and worked to bring civility back to Town Hall. "The public rightfully disgusted with the lack of civility from some town board members. This must change. We must stop trying to find ways to disagree and start finding ways to agree. I will treat my colleagues on the town board and the public with dignity and respect," he said, when announcing his first run for the supervisor's seat.