Hempstead Village attorney, treasurer to retire in January

The Village of Hempstead's attorney and treasurer are both retiring in early January after serving in the positions for more than a decade, Mayor Don Ryan said Tuesday.

Village Attorney Debra Urbano-DiSalvo and Treasurer Ray Calame will retire on Jan. 11, Ryan said through a spokesman in response to questions from Newsday.

The village board was scheduled Tuesday to vote on appointing their replacements, but the board pulled the resolution from its agenda before the meeting without explanation.

According to an initial version of the meeting agenda, the board was to vote on appointing Deputy Village Attorney Cherice Vanderhall as acting village attorney, and Deputy Treasurer Grace Lawrence-Nehikhare as acting treasurer.

Asked whether the village board will vote on appointing Vanderhall and Lawrence-Nehikhare to the open posts at a subsequent meeting, Ryan said: "As a rule, the village does not comment on matters involving personnel."

Urbano-DiSalvo has served as village attorney since 2007, and was paid $164,300 last year, Ryan said.

Calame has served as treasurer since 2005, and was paid $175,400 last year.

The departures come amid a turbulent period in Village Hall, as three other village officials are facing criminal charges that were filed earlier this year. 

Urbano-DiSalvo and Calame declined to comment on their retirements.