The wives can finally vote in Park District
Commissioners do away with behind-the-times election law
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Mattituck Park District commissioners last week gave up their antiquated interpretation of a 1941 voting law, passing a resolution that will let renters, spouses and children of voting age whose names do not appear on property deeds to cast ballots.
The commissioners decided to act last Thursday before the state attorney general or legislature weighed in on the issue.
The previous board of commissioners had interpreted the law to mean that voting on budgets must be limited to property owners. In addition, children of voting age living with their parents could not vote under the old interpretation.
Peter Young, who lives with his elderly mother at 2700 Bay Ave., sued the district last year after being denied the right to vote in August. A state Supreme Court judge tossed the case out because of defective service of court papers but left the door open to a renewed suit. Instead, Mr. Young asked the commissioners to act to avoid further litigation.
"I'm elated at their decision," Mr. Young said. "I hope that it allows for more citizen participation in the district."
The once contentious issue was dispatched quickly, but practically everything else on the agenda was cause for an argument, particularly between commissioners Doris McGreevy and Tom McCaffery.
The hiring of Lydia Tortora as part-time senior clerk typist drew criticism from Mr. McCaffery, who argued that the job should have been put out to bid. Ms. McGreevy defended the appointment, saying the park's longtime clerk was ill and, in any case, didn't have the typing skills that the district now needs. Ms. Tortora had stepped into the void and was doing an excellent job, she said.
Taking a shot at last month's decision not to rehire longtime district employee Denise Goehringer as a summer park worker but to hire Ms. Tortora, Mr. McCaffery complained, "Whatever I suggest or recommend is just cast aside."
Because the job is part time, it doesn't need to be put out to bid, commission chairman Nicholas Deegan said. He and Ms. McGreevy voted in favor of the appointment and Ms. Tortora has the $18 an hour job for 17.5 hours per week.
Both Mr. Deegan and Ms. McGreevy accused Mr. McCaffery of skipping work sessions, saying he would have had ample time to weigh in with his opinions had he attended. But he said he saw no use in attending when they ignore him.
he should be thanking us
The next argument between the two commissioners was about sending a thank-you letter to Walter Gatz of Gatz Landscaping for donating labor to blend the soil conditioner Turface Pro League Red into the soil in the infield at the Bay Avenue ball fields.
Ms. McGreevy maintained Mr. Gatz had overcharged for the materials and should be thanking the board. This time, Mr. Deegan voted with Mr. McCaffery to send the thank-you letter.
jlane@timesreview.com
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