New trustee appointed to Brightwaters Village Board

An elementary school teacher and lifelong Brightwaters resident was appointed to the village board following the resignation of Trustee Carmine Chiapetta, officials said.

Mary Del Vecchio, 30, was appointed this week by Mayor John Valdini to fill Chiapetta’s seat. She will be the only woman on the four-member board.

Chiapetta submitted a letter of resignation on Nov. 5, village officials said. Valdini said Chiapetta resigned for personal reasons. Neither Valdini nor village attorney Charles Casolaro elaborated further.

Chiapetta, who was re-elected to the board in June, could not be reached for comment.

Valdini said Del Vecchio brings "new blood" and "positive energy" to the board. 

In an email to residents Wednesday introducing Del Vecchio as a new trustee, Valdini also formally announced Chiapetta’s resignation. 

Del Vecchio, who has never served in public office, said she’s looking forward to representing the village and was “honored” when Valdini asked her to serve.

“I’m hoping to bring some fresh ideas,” she said. “I’m just really looking forward to helping out in my community and maybe being a voice for those not on the board. I love where I grew up and where I live. I’m excited to participate.” 

Del Vecchio graduated from Bay Shore High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in elementary and special education from the University of Virginia.

Del Vecchio is teaching fourth-graders at the South Country Elementary School in Bay Shore. She also taught at an all-boys elementary school in Brooklyn for six years, she said.

Del Vecchio would have to run for election in June 2019 to keep the seat. If elected, Del Vecchio will serve the remainder of Chiapetta's two-year term and can run for re-election in June 2020, officials said