N. Hempstead Town Board Votes To Table Budget At Fractious Hearing

NORTH HEMPSTEAD, NY — At Thursday night's Town of North Hempstead tentative budget hearing, the town board voted to table a proposed budget amendment that included tax cuts for residents of 11 percent.

At the hearing, Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said the tax cuts were made possible by finding that the town reserves were four times what was required by law. The town has been operating without a controller.

In a statement on Friday, DeSena called the vote "a shocking act of callousness during a time of need for so many."

Gordon Tepper, spokesperson for the board, told Patch the board members who voted to table the budget amendment needed more information. Town residents spoke at the meeting, some requesting clarification on specific line items.

The supervisor's statement referenced the meeting's at times contentious debate.

“Never have I felt more disrespected as both an elected official and a woman than last night’s budget hearing, when I was consistently talked over, cut-off from speaking, and shouted at by other members of the town board. While I can withstand personal attacks, what I will not accept is hurting our residents’ wallets when it comes to reducing their tax burden," she said.

At times, the meeting devolved into personal barbs being exchanged back and forth, with council members arguing over whose turn it was to speak.

A vote to table DeSena's amendment to the budget passed 4-3. Council members Dalimonte, Lurvey, Troiano and Zuckerman voted to table the budget amendment.

Council member Veronica Lurvey said she plans to present tax cuts that go "even further," saying that DeSena's budget amendment didn't come in time for her to review it thoroughly.

Council member Dalimonte called the amendment proposal "a fiasco," asking for any proposed changes in writing, saying DeSena's administration wasn't being "transparent."