A state judge recently reprimanded elected officials on Long Island for their “secretive” efforts to appoint a new supervisor without public notification.
Justice Gary Carlton of the Nassau County Supreme Court concluded that the Hempstead Town Board breached New York’s Open Meetings Law by neglecting to provide the mandated 24-hour notice regarding the installation of John Ferretti as supervisor.
In his ruling from last Wednesday, Carlton noted, “It is evident that prior arrangements were made before the August 5, 2025, town meeting for Mr. Clavin to resign and Mr. Ferretti to be appointed Supervisor.”
Footage presented in court depicted Ferretti at a community event mere hours post-appointment, donning an embroidered shirt with his name indicating his role as supervisor. Additionally, his name was already displayed on a mobile town stage—evidence that, according to the judge, indicated that the appointment was premeditated.
Carlton stated that town officials “communicated covertly” to facilitate Ferretti’s appointment in his decision.
The judge criticized the town for undermining the objectives of the Open Meetings Law, which aims to prevent government officials from making decisions privately about matters that should be addressed publicly, as outlined in the ruling.
While the judge refrained from nullifying Ferretti’s appointment at this time, a future decision on that issue is possible. As of Friday, both parties remained uncertain about the next steps.
This ruling followed an unusual hearing in which none of the defendants— including Ferretti, Council members Laura Ryder and Thomas Muscarella and Town Clerk Kate Murray—appeared to testify despite being subpoenaed. The judge also contemplated convening a separate hearing to potentially hold the Hempstead officials in contempt.
Ferretti, a Republican and former Nassau legislator, was appointed to the town’s highest role—earning just under $180,000—shortly after Don Clavin’s unexpected resignation on August 5.
“The Town is satisfied that the Judge’s decision does not invalidate Supervisor Ferretti’s appointment,” stated town spokesman Brian Devine. He added that the town is considering the possibility of an appeal, though the ruling appeared to be conclusive.
Democrat Joe Scianablo, who is set to compete against Ferretti on November 4 and initiated legal action against the town regarding his appointment last month, regarded the ruling as a “wake-up call” for his rival, accusing him of treating town governance as his “personal club.”
Scianablo expressed confidence that the judge would eventually overturn Ferretti’s appointment, asserting, “John Ferretti and the town board willfully and knowingly violated the law,” as he told reporters on Thursday.
