Town Officials Sworn In, Salaries Confirmed

Supervisor Bill Wilkinson and several new East Hampton town officials took the oath of office before nearly a packed town hall on Tuesday, including newcomers to the town board and Superintendent of Highway .

All were elected in a heated November election.

But spirit of the ceremony quickly faded as a squabble broke out over extending the 2012 meeting dates to include Saturday meetings once a month, an initiative began when Wilkinson was first elected. They have not been well attended.

Van Scoyoc and Overby both doubted the value of opening the building on Saturdays given the heating and air conditioning costs associated with it.

Councilman Dominick Stanzione wanted to put off any decision, after saying that the board meets too much during the busy summer months. When that notion was rebuffed by the others, he changed his mind, saying the board should keep the Saturday meetings and meet even more regularly.

"I hope this isn't indicative of the rest of the resolutions," Wilkinson said.

Overby and Van Scoyoc tried to force a decision at the meeting. Wilkinson ultimately decided to put the discussion off. Without a fifth councilperson present – Theresa Quigley, who was re-appointed as Deputy Supervisor, was away – the resolution was tabled.

Also on Tuesday, Sag Harbor Village Mayor Brian Gilbride traveled to East Hampton to swear in Town Justice Lisa R. Rana, who was re-elected for a third term. Then Rana took over the official duty when it came to Lynch, who will replace Scott King as the head of the highway department.

While no consensus could be reached on Saturday meetings, there were no snags in approving 2012 salaries for the town officials. Wilkinson will receive about $96,862 annually while each councilperson will earn $60,539.

Lynch, who will also serve as the Commissioner of Public Works, will earn $81,652. Kevin J. Ahearn, who has served as deputy superintendent of highways under Lynch's predecessor, will continue in that capacity.

Rana and Justice Catherine A. Cahill will receive $70,346.

Jill Massa and Jeanne Nielsen, both re-elected as assessors, also took oaths to serve. Along with assessor Eugene dePasquale, Massa earns $70,160. Nielsen will continue her position as chairwoman of the board of assessment review. She will earn $77,697.