Two Longtime Southampton Village Trustees To Step Away; A Young Face Set To Run

In June, residents of Southampton Village will have the opportunity to elect two new trustees to the Village Board, as two longtime board members will not seek to retain their seats.

Bill Hattrick, who is serving his fourth consecutive two-year term as a village trustee—and, prior to that, served as mayor from 1985 to 1989, chaired the Village Zoning Board of Appeals for 15 years, and also served as a village trustee from 1989 to 1993—will not seek reelection this time around.

Joining him in stepping away from the board is Nancy McGann, who has served on the board for the past 14 years.

“It’s time to pass the baton,” she said on Tuesday. “I feel very happy with everything I’ve accomplished, and I’m happy to not be stressed about it.”

With two undefended trustee seats on the ballot, and Village Mayor Michael Irving vying for a second term, the June village election has the potential to bring significant change.

So far, only 29-year-old Joseph R. McLoughlin has announced his candidacy for village trustee. He was born and raised in Southampton Village and attended Southampton schools. After graduating from Southampton High School, he went to Iona College in New Rochelle, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.

For the past two years, Mr. McLoughlin has served on the Village Planning Commission and has worked with Village Trustee Kimberly Allan to compile a list of properties in the village that could be considered for Community Preservation Fund acquisition.

“I think the village needs a fresh perspective,” Mr. McLoughlin said. “I believe my youth can be a benefit to that. I believe with my time on the board and my understanding of zoning and local laws that I can apply that to the village as a trustee.”

He added that the platform he plans to run on is taxation, conservation and participation.

Mr. McLoughlin said rather than be reactive to some of the issues facing the village—like not getting its fair share of Community Preservation Fund spending, even though he said a large chunk of the fund’s revenue comes from the village—he wants to be proactive and come up with ways to get that money for the village.

Petitions to run for mayor or the two open trustee seats are due on May 17. The election will take place on June 21.