Incoming Bellport Mayor Maureen Veitch to focus on budget, taxes, community issues
Incoming Bellport Mayor Maureen Veitch plans to hold periodic public gatherings to gather input on the budget in greater detail, she said. Credit: John Roca
As she met Bellport residents during her campaign to become the village's new mayor, Maureen Veitch heard complaints about speeding and the condition of local roads, and concerns about taxes.
Her conclusion: Bellport officials must do a better job communicating with the village's approximately 2,000 residents.
“Oftentimes, the village — the employees, the leadership — is working on something and doing good work, but the public doesn’t understand or hasn’t been informed," Veitch said Tuesday, one week after defeating her opponent, New York City firefighter Kieran Murphy, 646-211.
“I would like to treat people as if they’re customers," Veitch said. "They pay our bills. They’re our constituency.”
Veitch, 64, will take office Monday, succeeding Mayor Ray Fell, who could not seek reelection because he served the maximum 10 years allowed under Bellport's term limits law.
A former human resources director who runs a career counseling company from her home, Veitch said the affluent South Shore village has been managed well by Fell. Veitch served as a village trustee in 2021 and 2022 but did not seek reelection.
Village officials generally are transparent about spending, she said, but she plans to hold periodic public gatherings at which officials would be available to discuss the budget in greater detail.
Like many municipalities, Bellport deals with the conundrum of providing popular services — including beaches, marinas and a village-owned country club — while trying to keep taxes affordable, she said.
“People always wonder, ‘What about my taxes? My taxes keep going up,’" Veitch said. "People care about fiscal responsibility and taxes, but they also enjoy living in a community where we have such a large number of amenities for a small tax base.
“I believe if you’re transparent and you share the reasons for doing things financially, I think people can get on board.”
Fell said Veitch is prepared for the job, adding she will be tasked with supervising a $2.8 million marina rehabilitation project scheduled to start later this year. About 75% of the project is funded by the federal government, he said.
“She has what is very important: She loves the village, so that’s very good,” said Fell, who said he voted for Veitch. He added the new mayor should "keep the village moving in a positive direction, and make sure she has her ears open to what is going on and what people think is important.”
In recent months, village officials and residents have debated a proposal to extend the contract of South Country Caterers, which runs the country club's catering hall. The village board in May postponed a vote until after the election.
Veitch said she wants to see if the village can get a better deal. The current contract expires in 2027.
“I'm not ready to call for a vote in the next week or month,” she said, promising a “thorough process” before the board votes. “That’s how I do everything. ... It’s about a process that feels right.”
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
