Southampton Village Board Of Trustees Special Bot Meeting
The meeting commenced with an employee recognition award for Michael Dunkerk of the central garage for his dedicated service, especially during snowstorms in January and February. The agenda included two significant public hearings. The first concerned a local law to amend Chapter 65-3, transferring the authority to designate historic districts from the Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation to the Village Board of Trustees. Several residents voiced opinions, primarily opposing the expansion of the historic district and supporting the Board of Trustees retaining decision-making authority over the Board of Architectural Review. The second public hearing addressed adding Chapter 11 to the village code, proposing to amend the terms of office for the Village Mayor and Trustees from two years to four years. Public commentary generally expressed opposition to the extension to four years, favoring the two-year terms for greater accountability and responsiveness to constituents. The Chairman of the Architecture Review Board confirmed their support for transferring the decision authority to the trustees. One trustee announced their recusal from conversations and voting regarding the historic district due to owning property within the proposed expansion zone.