LI clerk offices might not open on big day

Budgetary concerns, or simply a lack of demand, means most Long Island clerks' offices have decided to stay closed the first day same-sex marriage licenses may be issued.

Because July 24 is a Sunday, a day when clerks' offices are normally closed, several town and city clerks said that opening their offices only to issue licenses doesn't make sense. Instead, they're gearing up to handle an expected increase in marriage license requests on Monday, July 25. Only Brookhaven and North Hempstead are considering opening Sunday.

"I like to run a cost-effective office and limit my budget expenses," said Huntington Town Clerk Jo Ann Raia. "Because the residents have to pay for it."

A spokesman for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said it would be left to municipalities to decide whether to open Sunday. The State Legislature on June 24 approved legalizing same-sex marriage and the bill takes effect, barring legal challenges, 30 days later -- Sunday, July 24.

Islip and Long Beach also cited budget concerns, including having to pay overtime to staff working on a Sunday. Officials in Smithtown, Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Glen Cove said they've received few, if any, inquiries about obtaining same-sex marriage licenses. "That's why I don't think it's really warranted that we open," said Glen Cove City Clerk Tina Pemberton.

Others, including in Babylon and Southampton, are awaiting state guidance. "The last thing you want is to issue a license before something is legal, or legitimate," said Southampton Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer.

Southold officials didn't return calls Wednesday. North Hempstead and Brookhaven clerks await a final decision from their town boards and supervisors about opening on Sunday. Riverhead, Shelter Island and East Hampton confirmed they would not open until Monday.

Brookhaven Town Clerk Patricia Eddington has petitioned Supervisor Mark Lesko for staff overtime pay to open Sunday.

New York City will open all of its clerks' offices on Sunday and keep extended business hours in the following week, according to a city news release.

The Long Island GLBT Services Network is working with clerks to make sure they're prepared. David Kilmnick, the organization's chief executive, said it's likely "we'll see the first wave of weddings on the 26th," assuming couples receive licenses on July 25, which would be followed by the required 24-hour waiting period.

After New York City couples questioned why license applications had only standard "bride" and "groom" designations, the clerk's online applications were updated with choices of "Bride/Groom/Spouse A" and "Bride/Groom/Spouse B."

The state Department of Health has sent municipalities tentative guidelines.

Islip Town Clerk Regina Duffy fielded dozens of inquiries, and on July 25 will have extra staff available, she said.

Ceremonies won't begin until July 29, a Friday -- the day Islip regularly performs weddings -- and Duffy said she wanted to perform the first. "I want to lead by example," said the clerk, who already rewrote her wedding speech to apply to same-sex couples. "This is a milestone and I'm really excited to be a part of it."

With Stacey Altherr,

Emily C. Dooley, Ali Eaves, Mitchell Freedman,

Deborah S. Morris

and Patrick Whittle