Recap: Town Board discusses budget, OK’s $1 million EPCAL lease and hires coordinator

The Riverhead Town Board discussed modifications to its 2013 proposed town budget Thursday’s public work session.

Councilman James Wooten kicked off the meeting by issuing a public apology for the way the board fired its coordinator, Linda Hulse, at last Wednesday’s meeting.

Mr. Wooten said the board should respect one another and work with one another, adding that the way the board majority fired Linda Hulse was unprofessional and he’s sorry.

“Nobody deserved that,” he said.

Aside from budget talks (check back later for story), the board passed a resolution hiring Tracey Densieski as the new Town Board coordinator. She’s the wife of Joe Densieski, who was a Republican candidate for highway superintendent in 2009.

That vote passed 4-1, with Mr. Walter opposed.

“I told [Ms. Densieski],” Mr. Walter said in an interview. “Had the board gone through the regular [hiring/firing] process, I would have voted for you.

“Linda’s my friend; they shouldn’t have fired here,” he added.

The town also approved a license agreement with Insurance Auto Auctions Auto Corps allowing the company to use unused runways at the Calverton Enterprise Park to store cars damaged in Hurricane Sandy until insurance companies can determine if they are salvageable.

That measure passed unanimously, and looks to fetch just under $1 million for the town in six months.

The company will have the option to re-up the lease if the space is still needed after six months.

Riverhead Town Board work session agenda 11-15-2012