[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6470331,"mediaKeyId","5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6","parentId",5779735,"title","Town attorney for Deputy Supervisor says town code does not elevate deputy to supervisor; residents press concerns about August appointment","audioSeconds",400,"startMs",1574000,"endMs",1974000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6&start=1574&end=1974","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6/thumbnail_1574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470331/New-York/Town-attorney-for-Deputy-Supervisor-says-town-code-does-not-elevate-deputy-to-supervisor-residents-press-concerns-about-August-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470331-b0b771cf96561127c58bce9ff4901afa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083294&Signature=WnMVasKuYSUnOvpHzNJVgPkbe9mNoHplSB-j2xDqDFDL~B7S~xrZdlklv~QpJU2WWy5r33sbCVBz17S65~UHGnvu~O8jL0~PE7ilzq66kzHxYBKCkNeIBoxqJauqgfdLhu94pG91fIGlP2Q19ssZVhnf0sBmzuabU-1SPaOmVQKCkW2UBP97kAJj6DlUKLdIOySAi-LXFBTnnRhk3xsEtqJuGFsEbGsHTMdyLZLrwP9jRT3hvSby6NwVA2JPuTVdWIzt9hV3~aiD-BXdswMN-umQtcsrp59CLZqagL5sORsk~eWQEFEadtciSAznHOyggCE0agSMWbrLY8mQIvgp9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nassau County","date","2025-09-05T12:08:43Z","article","Town of Hempstead officials and residents debated the legal and political fallout from the Aug. 5 resignation of former Supervisor Don Clavin and the subsequent appointment of John Ferretti as supervisor.

Steven Lester, legal counsel for Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, read town code language and legal comparisons to explain why Goosby did not automatically assume the office of supervisor. Lester said, quoting the town code, “in case the office becomes the office of supervisor becomes vacant or in case the supervisor shall be absent or unable to act, the deputy supervisor in office at that time shall assume all duties and obligations of the supervisor under the town code and the laws and the town law of the state of New York and shall continue in such capacity until a new supervisor shall assume office or the absent or incapacitated supervisor shall return to office.” He added the town code “does not provide for the deputy supervisor to assume the office of the supervisor upon a vacancy in the supervisor's office.”

The statement prompted extended public comment criticizing the process the board used in August. Lynn Krug, a Garden City resident, told the board, “Mister Ferretti, your appointment to supervisor has been controversial and reflects poorly on all involved.” Pearl Jacobs of Uniondale said the appointment disrespected Deputy Supervisor Goosby and “screams of blatant racism.” Multiple speakers urged greater transparency and for the board to explain the timeline and rationale for the Aug. 5 actions.

Lester framed the legal distinction plainly for the meeting record: the deputy supervisor may “assume all duties and obligations of the supervisor” but the code’s language, and subsequent provisions, reserve the actual office to be filled by the town board or the next elected supervisor. He contrasted that municipal code language with succession provisions in the U.S. and New York state constitutions for federal and statewide offices, which provide for automatic elevation of a vice president or lieutenant governor.

Residents raised related concerns at length: accusations that the August resignation and replacement were orchestrated to provide the appointee an incumbency advantage in the November election, requests for investigations into the events and any related hiring or compensation decisions, and assertions that the public had been denied adequate notice. Several commenters referenced litigation and public-record materials; town officials declined to comment on ongoing matters of litigation during the meeting.

Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, who addressed the assembly near the meeting’s end, said she had no desire to hold the supervisor’s office and described her long record of public service and community work, noting the voting-rights litigation that led to current council districts. She said she intends to continue serving her constituents in her current role.

The board took no formal action to change succession rules during the Sept. 3 meeting. The town’s minority counsel read the town-code provision into the record and residents pressed elected officials for greater transparency; members of the public said they will continue to press the issue in the coming weeks and at the Nov. 4 election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 3, 2025 Hempstead Town Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Town of Hempstead officials and residents debated the legal and political fallout from the Aug. 5 resignation of former Supervisor Don Clavin and the subsequent appointment of John Ferretti as supervisor.","taxTitle","Hempstead, Nassau County, New York","taxId",65905,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6470320,"Board approves administrative calendar (items 8–45); speakers pressed town on lawsuits, a water‑well project and settlement spending",1067,408000,1475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6&start=408&end=1475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6/thumbnail_408000.jpg","/articles/6470320/New-York/Board-approves-administrative-calendar-items-845-speakers-pressed-town-on-lawsuits-a-waterwell-project-and-settlement-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470320-6e17cdf0abdff6f9430bfe73da3e529d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083294&Signature=fCkju8ovLUQKKi4vMSATgjVF~TgHjRY50JT202aN8SWuCE3ZNXP8ZZj5EIz6pZCQEbnBWkChWDwqaDU8iZcubYiOvC-57KjCqj6wlB7c3Q8ZlAXx1VAAb2BXiYWoizD03aFA3PkkZ-cPm8LQ-JKeEfVdAHFo1vUunXSkdSy308w5qqJDP0wnj14F3YfvNb3nuwHPHNR6YW2bs-COBhczEaqKZKGmGX7KPY04lVXNTI9q-OYTXIewGuvqW4pEEytIY9FZOhnJsFlVG251~CNzG6ezXnE7qFptZCzByT7P6OkZaZn-rdDROKizBMP3fuOYOEjYCw2aBKxAmHBxil6V0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hempstead Town Board approved its administrative calendar (items 8–45) at the Sept. 3 meeting after public comment. The roll call on the motion to approve recorded unanimous ‘‘Aye’’ votes from Supervisor John Ferretti, Councilman Dunne, Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Muscarella, Councilwoman Ryder and Councilman Schneider.

Public speakers raised questions about several calendar items:

- Roosevelt Field Well 10 (Item 23): Commissioner Reinhardt of the Department of Water said that the project moved from study and design to construction after the health department approved plans. He described the initial contract as for study and design because contaminant concentrations initially left the scope unclear; with approved plans the item was amended to cover construction work.

- Payment to FASTSIGNS (Item 14): A resident asked for the dollar amount and purpose. Town staff said the payment was approximately $5,000 and covered banners for a July town event.

- Outside counsel / lawsuits (Item 34): Multiple speakers asked why the town hires outside counsel and whether that practice saves money. A town official said the town has reduced in-house staffing and from time to time hires outside counsel for specialized matters; the town said this can save benefits costs but declined to discuss pending litigation specifics in the public meeting.

- Bond resolution for settled claim (Item 36): The board approved a bond resolution authorizing financing of a $180,000 payment to settle a tort claim alleging a defective diving board caused a serious leg injury. Town staff described the appropriation and said the parks department routinely inspects pools; the item authorized borrowing to finance the settlement.

Speakers emphasized concerns about transparency and fiscal accountability. Diane Madden and others pressed the board for restored agenda transparency on personnel actions and questioned whether the hiring/promotion details previously on the agenda had been removed. Several residents accused board members of corruption related to recent personnel and appointment decisions; board members declined to discuss ongoing litigation during the meeting.

After public comment, the board approved the administrative calendar by unanimous roll call. The clerk’s roll call shows the motion carried with seven ayes.","The Hempstead Town Board approved its administrative calendar (items 8–45) at the Sept. 3 meeting. Public speakers asked for details about a water‑well construction amendment at Roosevelt Field Well 10, a $5,000 payment to FASTSIGNS for banners, the hiring of outside counsel for litigation and a $180,000 bond to finance a settled injury claim.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6470326,"Town Board adopts multiple local laws on parking and traffic after public hearings; handicap space added near Uniondale High School",395,64000,459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6&start=64&end=459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779735-c30329b113c7ad18b4f4ae401f87fab6/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6470326/New-York/Town-Board-adopts-multiple-local-laws-on-parking-and-traffic-after-public-hearings-handicap-space-added-near-Uniondale-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470326-38fd2a753114afedb3928b8a45f83b25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083294&Signature=hKxHjKoJAH~bDHAg1IWcBiytrHc0sA5DHk48JYt8~9yu17XPfWfnt0UghIVpvshca9eT5MW~ZdYalPO-xGuwjwipvGNiL4uRj58hn6y7wRts1y~4~8oksOhqBj5G-h8c6urJMqlCLojlX3H9z2GvrIeeJjdZJD2EWGqyxfsMejOHnh9de8M9DWd~orp7~Xhbjx1l44-E0JZnRZVdSEoQy0tflc8SK0ERCLBux1jGocEI8jfAleSmd9~EVJJ0QkLuARWAblVMhOwUk900MMtPkVXbnr-N9Ws-dNUeUOkh9S~~3k7ErixbT6wHnK4cKyq9VgpJkEYxoaZWq70AJr96tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hempstead Town Board on Sept. 3 closed six public hearings and adopted local laws addressing parking and traffic regulations across Bellmore, Elmont, Franklin Square, North Merrick, West Hempstead, Woodmere and additional hamlets and villages, including school‑area traffic measures.

The hearings covered: proposed local laws limiting parking in Bellmore, Elmont, Franklin Square, North Merrick, West Hempstead and Woodmere; prohibitions on parking or standing in multiple communities; proposed arterial stop changes for Baldwin, Bellmore, Merrick, Oceanside, Near Valley Stream and Wantagh; traffic regulations in the vicinity of schools in East Meadow, Oceanside and Uniondale; public parking field maps for certain parking fields; and proposed handicap parking on public streets in multiple communities.

Board roll calls on the adoption motions recorded unanimous ‘‘Aye’’ votes from Supervisor John Ferretti, Councilman Dunne, Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Muscarella, Councilwoman Ryder and Councilman Schneider for each item as the clerk called the roll after motions to close the hearings and adopt the items.

During the second hearing a resident, Chris Jacobs, asked for the address affected by one change; Town staff identified it as 931 Goodrich Street. A town official said the change will install a handicap parking space in front of that house and that the board was adopting and repealing related parking restrictions “because it’s near Uniondale High School.” Jacobs asked for clarification of the Yuendale location; staff supplied the address and purpose.

Public Hearing No. 7, a separate item authorizing the Town of Hempstead Sanitary District Number 1 to sell certain surplus land, was tabled at the district chairman’s request; the town attorney asked that the matter be tabled and the board approved the request by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Proposed local law limiting parking in Bellmore, Elmont, Franklin Square, North Merrick, West Hempstead and Woodmere — motion to close public hearing and adopt: approved (Supervisor John Ferretti; Councilman Dunne; Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby; Councilwoman Miller; Councilman Muscarella; Councilwoman Ryder; Councilman Schneider)

- Proposed local law on parking/standing prohibitions in multiple hamlets (Bellmore, East Meadow, East Rockaway vicinity, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Hewlett, North Bellmore, South Hempstead, Uniondale, Wantagh, West Hempstead, Woodmere) — motion to close public hearing and adopt: approved (unanimous roll call as above). Resident Chris Jacobs confirmed the Yuendale/931 Goodrich Street location for a handicap space at this hearing.

- Proposed local law on arterial stops for Baldwin, Bellmore, Merrick, Oceanside, Near Valley Stream, Wantagh — motion to close public hearing and adopt: approved (unanimous roll call as above).

- Proposed local law regarding traffic regulations near schools (East Meadow, Oceanside, Uniondale) — motion to close public hearing and adopt: approved (unanimous roll call as above).

- Public hearing adopting Town of Hempstead public parking field maps (Bellmore and certain parking fields) — motion to close and consider/adopt: approved (unanimous roll call as above).

- Proposed handicap parking on public streets in Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Elmont, Franklin Square, Levittown, Oceanside, Seaford, Uniondale, Wantagh, West Hempstead — motion to close public hearing and adopt: approved (unanimous roll call as above).

The board recorded the votes on the record after each motion and there were no other public speakers on the individual hearings besides the Yuendale/Goodrich Street question. The Sanitary District 1 land-sale item (public hearing No. 7) was tabled at the district chairman’s request and will be brought back at a later date.

The town clerk recorded the roll-call approvals for the adopted local laws; the meeting record shows each adoption motion carried unanimously on Sept. 3.","At its Sept. 3 meeting the Hempstead Town Board closed six public hearings and adopted local laws addressing parking restrictions, standing prohibitions, arterial stops and traffic regulations near schools across multiple communities. A resident sought clarification about a handicap space at 931 Goodrich Street.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town attorney for Deputy Supervisor says town code does not elevate deputy to supervisor; residents press concerns about August appointment

Board approves administrative calendar (items 8–45); speakers pressed town on lawsuits, a water‑well project and settlement spending

Town Board adopts multiple local laws on parking and traffic after public hearings; handicap space added near Uniondale High School