Tim Bishop appointment to Suffolk water authority moves ahead

Former Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) has been chosen by a committee of the Suffolk Legislature’s Democratic majority to join the five-member board that runs the Suffolk Water Authority.

Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Copiague) said the committee interviewed “several credible candidates,” but Bishop was the unanimous pick because of his background on water issues in Congress. Other contenders included former Suffolk Legis. David Bishop and Brentwood lawyer Joe Fritz.

Bishop will succeed Errol Toulon Jr., who left the board to become Suffolk Sheriff Jan. 1. The part-time authority post pays $18,500 and has a five-year term.

A resolution for Bishop’s appointment is likely to be filed March 6, and lawmakers could vote on it March 20.