Former Southold Supervisor Scott Russell to fill Southampton Village administrator's spot
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, pictured in 2019, will become the new Southampton Village administrator when Anthony Carter resigns on Sept. 30. Credit: Randee Daddona
Southampton Village has hired former Southold Supervisor Scott Russell as its village administrator to succeed Anthony Carter, the former Suffolk deputy police commissioner, who resigned from the position effective Sept. 30.
The resignation date coincides with the end of a state waiver Carter received to collect a pension and a salary greater than $35,000. His tenure as village administrator lasted less than a year.
The village board voted 4-0 to approve separate resolutions at its Aug. 20 meeting to accept Carter's resignation and hire Russell starting Oct. 1.
Carter, 50, formally submitted a letter of resignation dated Aug. 20, saying it was a “difficult” decision and he would be “pursuing another opportunity.”
In an interview, he said he would be working as a senior adviser for a technology company where he could look at "public safety on a broader scale."
The resignation ends a circuitous tenure in the village for Carter, who was hired in late 2022 as the village police chief. He decided against taking the position just over a month after the board voted to give him the job. The lack of support from the former mayor led to that decision.
He was hired in October 2023 as village administrator and began the position last November with a starting salary of $165,000.
"It was a great experience," Carter said. "I learned a lot out here surrounded by a lot of great people."
Earlier this year, Carter, an NYPD retiree, sought special authorization to collect a pension while earning a salary above the limit of $35,000. Under state law, retirees who take public service jobs are subject to income limits until they turn 65. Carter served as an inspector in the NYPD, where he worked for 28 years.
The village and Carter sought the maximum waiver of two years from Jan. 31, 2024, through Jan. 30, 2026.
In an interview, Mayor William Manger said he went to Albany in May to make the case for a Section 211 waiver from the New York State Civil Service Commission.
The commission approved a limited request from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 and said the village needed to “conduct a formal recruitment effort to demonstrate whether there is a qualified non-retiree interested in appointment,” according to the commission.
The village began advertising the position earlier this summer. Manger said the village received about 10 resumes, including one from Russell.
“Once we reviewed them and conducted some interviews, Scott Russell was at the top of our list just because of his past experience and knowledge of running a municipality,” Manger said.
Manger said Carter could have remained in the position beyond Sept. 30, but he no longer would have been eligible for the waiver.
“It was his decision then to tender his resignation and look for other opportunities,” the mayor said.
Russell, 60, who lives in Mattituck, was the longest-tenured supervisor in Southold's history after first winning election in 2005. He opted not to seek reelection last year.
The village administrator role mirrors many of the responsibilities he held as supervisor, Russell said, such as handling personnel, day-to-day operations and fiscal management.
“I serve in support of the village board, which will be a new role for me,” he said. “I’m used to sitting on the dais, but I’m actually looking forward to taking a role that’s much more administrative."
Russell will earn $35,000 for the remainder of the year and an annual salary of $185,000 beginning Jan. 1, according to the resolution.
Southampton Village has hired former Southold Supervisor Scott Russell as its village administrator to succeed Anthony Carter, the former Suffolk deputy police commissioner, who resigned from the position effective Sept. 30.
The resignation date coincides with the end of a state waiver Carter received to collect a pension and a salary greater than $35,000. His tenure as village administrator lasted less than a year.
The village board voted 4-0 to approve separate resolutions at its Aug. 20 meeting to accept Carter's resignation and hire Russell starting Oct. 1.
Carter, 50, formally submitted a letter of resignation dated Aug. 20, saying it was a “difficult” decision and he would be “pursuing another opportunity.”
In an interview, he said he would be working as a senior adviser for a technology company where he could look at "public safety on a broader scale."
The resignation ends a circuitous tenure in the village for Carter, who was hired in late 2022 as the village police chief. He decided against taking the position just over a month after the board voted to give him the job. The lack of support from the former mayor led to that decision.
He was hired in October 2023 as village administrator and began the position last November with a starting salary of $165,000.
"It was a great experience," Carter said. "I learned a lot out here surrounded by a lot of great people."
Earlier this year, Carter, an NYPD retiree, sought special authorization to collect a pension while earning a salary above the limit of $35,000. Under state law, retirees who take public service jobs are subject to income limits until they turn 65. Carter served as an inspector in the NYPD, where he worked for 28 years.
The village and Carter sought the maximum waiver of two years from Jan. 31, 2024, through Jan. 30, 2026.
In an interview, Mayor William Manger said he went to Albany in May to make the case for a Section 211 waiver from the New York State Civil Service Commission.
The commission approved a limited request from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 and said the village needed to “conduct a formal recruitment effort to demonstrate whether there is a qualified non-retiree interested in appointment,” according to the commission.
The village began advertising the position earlier this summer. Manger said the village received about 10 resumes, including one from Russell.
“Once we reviewed them and conducted some interviews, Scott Russell was at the top of our list just because of his past experience and knowledge of running a municipality,” Manger said.
Manger said Carter could have remained in the position beyond Sept. 30, but he no longer would have been eligible for the waiver.
“It was his decision then to tender his resignation and look for other opportunities,” the mayor said.
Russell, 60, who lives in Mattituck, was the longest-tenured supervisor in Southold's history after first winning election in 2005. He opted not to seek reelection last year.
The village administrator role mirrors many of the responsibilities he held as supervisor, Russell said, such as handling personnel, day-to-day operations and fiscal management.
“I serve in support of the village board, which will be a new role for me,” he said. “I’m used to sitting on the dais, but I’m actually looking forward to taking a role that’s much more administrative."
Russell will earn $35,000 for the remainder of the year and an annual salary of $185,000 beginning Jan. 1, according to the resolution.
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.
Remembering 9/11: Where things stand now As we remember those we lost on 9/11, we're looking at the ongoing battle to secure long term protection for first responders and the latest twists and turns in the cases of the accused terrorists.
Remembering 9/11: Where things stand now As we remember those we lost on 9/11, we're looking at the ongoing battle to secure long term protection for first responders and the latest twists and turns in the cases of the accused terrorists.
