Southampton trustees, shoreline overseer, wins 'historic' independence from town
Southampton Town Trustees President Scott Horowitz, seen here earlier this month, by the pier at the East Quogue Boat Ramp. The trustees completed a project recently at this location. Credit: John Roca
For more than three centuries, Southampton trustees have been tasked with preserving public access to waterways and protecting the bays and coastal areas of the maritime community.
For the first time in recent memory, the elected body officially known as the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton, can set its own budget.
Previously, the trustees submitted a budget to the Southampton town board for approval as other town departments did.
The seemingly subtle change represents a "historic" moment for the oldest continually elected board in North America, officials said. The trustees own the bottomland of all town waterways, such as Mecox Bay in Water Mill, and some town roads. The trustees also regulate dock and bulkhead construction and manage shellfish permits.
The change allows the trustees, who predate the formation of the town board, to independently manage its finances in the same way a fire district or library district can. The arrangement required state legislation before the trustees and town finalized an agreement earlier this month.
Scott Horowitz, the trustees' president, said the change allows the five-member board to be immune to the politics of Southampton Town. Breaking off from town oversight, ever so slightly, gives the shoreline overseers greater financial stability and enables them to accelerate crucial projects.
"It’s history in the making," said Horowitz, who pushed for the change for nearly a decade.
The agreement comes at a time when water quality remains a top issue on the East End.
Municipal officials and environmentalists are trying to reverse the harmful effects of nitrogen pollution in the waterways that stem from aging septic systems.
Town officials said the role of the trustees has "only grown more critical over time."
Supervisor Maria Moore said during a signing ceremony that the agreement "reinforces the town’s commitment to our waters." She added the board’s "financial autonomy will empower them to meet the growing challenges of protecting and preserving our marine and water resources."
The trustees recently adopted a 2025 budget of $3.05 million, which town residents will see broken out as a separate line on their property tax bills. Horowitz said the change will be "budget neutral" and won't have any effect on property owners' tax bills.
"This is money that people were already paying," he said.
The trustees will collect about $2 million in property taxes. The board generates about $1 million annually in revenue from permit fees.
In the past, the trustees' budget became a "political football," and the funding the trustees relied on could be threatened, Horowitz said.
The Dongan Patent of 1686 established the trustees' authority when it created the boundaries of Long Island's towns. It was named for Thomas Dongan — the New York governor who had been appointed by the king of England. Courts have upheld the patent's authority, the trustees said.
The relationship between the two boards can vary depending on the election cycle, trustee Edward Warner said. He said he hopes the legislation allows "the friction and politics" to be put aside.
Horowitz said the trustees have faced legal challenges that sought to strip money from the board. In 2010, four homeowners in West Hampton Dunes filed a lawsuit arguing the trustees had improperly spent money from various fee collections, Newsday previously reported.
A state appellate panel sided with the trustees.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in 2022. Assemb. Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) said the effective start date was postponed to give the boards more time to hammer out an agreement.
Thiele said he hopes the trustees can operate in a "more efficient and responsive" way to meet its mission.
The trustees must adhere to the state-mandated tax cap. Any increase to the tax levy, the amount of money raised by taxes, cannot exceed 2% without the town board's approval, Thiele said.
The budget does not require voters' approval.
The Southampton trustees are elected to two-year terms. Southold and East Hampton have similar elected trustee boards but have not sought independence, Thiele said.
Horowitz, who lives in East Quogue, recalled spending time on the bays around Southampton as a kid clamming and crabbing. He said he hopes this action will allow the trustees to preserve the area's maritime future.
"I want my grandson to be able to enjoy what I enjoyed," he said.
For more than three centuries, Southampton trustees have been tasked with preserving public access to waterways and protecting the bays and coastal areas of the maritime community.
For the first time in recent memory, the elected body officially known as the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton, can set its own budget.
Previously, the trustees submitted a budget to the Southampton town board for approval as other town departments did.
The seemingly subtle change represents a "historic" moment for the oldest continually elected board in North America, officials said. The trustees own the bottomland of all town waterways, such as Mecox Bay in Water Mill, and some town roads. The trustees also regulate dock and bulkhead construction and manage shellfish permits.
The change allows the trustees, who predate the formation of the town board, to independently manage its finances in the same way a fire district or library district can. The arrangement required state legislation before the trustees and town finalized an agreement earlier this month.
Scott Horowitz, the trustees' president, said the change allows the five-member board to be immune to the politics of Southampton Town. Breaking off from town oversight, ever so slightly, gives the shoreline overseers greater financial stability and enables them to accelerate crucial projects.
"It’s history in the making," said Horowitz, who pushed for the change for nearly a decade.
The agreement comes at a time when water quality remains a top issue on the East End.
Municipal officials and environmentalists are trying to reverse the harmful effects of nitrogen pollution in the waterways that stem from aging septic systems.
'Budget neutral' change
Town officials said the role of the trustees has "only grown more critical over time."
Supervisor Maria Moore said during a signing ceremony that the agreement "reinforces the town’s commitment to our waters." She added the board’s "financial autonomy will empower them to meet the growing challenges of protecting and preserving our marine and water resources."
The trustees recently adopted a 2025 budget of $3.05 million, which town residents will see broken out as a separate line on their property tax bills. Horowitz said the change will be "budget neutral" and won't have any effect on property owners' tax bills.
"This is money that people were already paying," he said.
The trustees will collect about $2 million in property taxes. The board generates about $1 million annually in revenue from permit fees.
In the past, the trustees' budget became a "political football," and the funding the trustees relied on could be threatened, Horowitz said.
Buffer from politics
The Dongan Patent of 1686 established the trustees' authority when it created the boundaries of Long Island's towns. It was named for Thomas Dongan — the New York governor who had been appointed by the king of England. Courts have upheld the patent's authority, the trustees said.
The relationship between the two boards can vary depending on the election cycle, trustee Edward Warner said. He said he hopes the legislation allows "the friction and politics" to be put aside.
Horowitz said the trustees have faced legal challenges that sought to strip money from the board. In 2010, four homeowners in West Hampton Dunes filed a lawsuit arguing the trustees had improperly spent money from various fee collections, Newsday previously reported.
A state appellate panel sided with the trustees.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in 2022. Assemb. Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) said the effective start date was postponed to give the boards more time to hammer out an agreement.
Thiele said he hopes the trustees can operate in a "more efficient and responsive" way to meet its mission.
The trustees must adhere to the state-mandated tax cap. Any increase to the tax levy, the amount of money raised by taxes, cannot exceed 2% without the town board's approval, Thiele said.
The budget does not require voters' approval.
The Southampton trustees are elected to two-year terms. Southold and East Hampton have similar elected trustee boards but have not sought independence, Thiele said.
Horowitz, who lives in East Quogue, recalled spending time on the bays around Southampton as a kid clamming and crabbing. He said he hopes this action will allow the trustees to preserve the area's maritime future.
"I want my grandson to be able to enjoy what I enjoyed," he said.
'Historic' agreement
- The Southampton trustees, who oversee the town's bays, creeks and waterways, will now set their own budgets.
- The trustees are the oldest continually elected board in North America.
- The Dongan Patent in 1686 that set town boundaries on Long Island also established the trustees.
Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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