Flower Hill begins discussions about replacing village mayor

Elaine Phillips, who won a State Senate seat earlier this week, said Friday that she will resign from her current position as mayor of the village of Flower Hill once election results are verified.

Phillips released a statement a day after declining to discuss a succession plan, saying in an email that there “was no reason to respond — we don’t owe Newsday anything.”

In a news release issued Friday, Phillips said that to “ensure a seamless transition,” she has begun discussions with village board members.

“State law provides for the remaining members of the Village Board to choose a new leader,” Phillips said in the release.

The board consists of the mayor and six trustees. The village of Flower Hill last held elections in March, at which time Phillips, 56, was elected to a third two-year term as mayor.

It is unclear whether Deputy Mayor Robert McNamara will step up to fill the vacancy. McNamara did not respond Friday to a request for comment.

Phillips said in the release that it had been a privilege to serve as mayor, touting several accomplishments that she said included cutting taxes and increasing transparency and trust in local government.

On Tuesday, Phillips, a Republican, defeated Democrat Adam Haber in a tight race for the 7th District Senate seat vacated by state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury), who ran unsuccessfully for Congress. The State Senate will reconvene in January.