Hempstead Town officials have not disclosed ex-Supervisor Clavin's salary, new title

More than two weeks after Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. abruptly resigned and was appointed to an undisclosed position within the department of planning and economic development, town officials have yet to provide Clavin’s new title and salary.   

Clavin’s appointment happened at an Aug. 5 town board meeting, less than 30 minutes after he resigned as town supervisor and before Nassau County Legis. John Ferretti was appointed to replace him. Clavin's appointment was not listed on the agenda, nor was it announced at the meeting — and it wasn't included in the meeting minutes the town posted on its website Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, Ferretti said in an interview that Clavin's new salary would be provided.

“I could get that for you and we'll follow up with you,” Ferretti said.

Later Wednesday, town spokesman Brian Devine declined to provide Clavin’s salary and title and did not respond to a request on Thursday.

A request to Devine for comment from Clavin was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

Municipal employees' titles and salaries are public information and regularly provided on request.

In response to a question from Newsday following the Aug. 5 meeting, Devine said Clavin was still working for the town.

Town officials have said Clavin will be working on several town projects including veterans housing. 

"He's been an asset to the Town of Hempstead residents and he'll continue to be an asset to the Town of Hempstead residents and he's certainly qualified for the position," Ferretti said. 

The possibility that Clavin would resign before the end of his term, and that Ferretti — who had already been nominated to run for the office — would be appointed so he could run as an incumbent, had been the subject of months of speculation. Clavin, who is running for a Nassau County judgeship, had not previously announced that he was going to resign before his term ended.

“I believe that former Supervisor Clavin made his decision only shortly prior to the Aug. 5 meeting and that's when I was brought into it,” Ferretti said. “I don't recall the specific date, but it was a matter of a couple of days.”

Ferretti said the town board appointed Clavin to his new job following his resignation that day. “He was appointed to that position prior to me being sworn in as supervisor,” Ferretti said.

On Aug. 5, the town board approved increases to several departments' salary budgets, including a $179,375 increase for full-time salaries in the planning and economic development department.

Clavin’s salary as supervisor was $179,375. Devine declined to say whether that amount was for Clavin’s new salary.

“I can confirm that Don Clavin currently works in the department of planning and economic development, and he was appointed by the Board in the agenda item you are referencing,” Devine said in an email.

For years, the town board regularly posted on its website details about new hires, salary increases and title changes. Those details, posted prior to the town board vote, included the names and salaries of those town employees and officials.

In December, the town board stopped providing those details of personnel actions. Since then, it has approved personnel resolutions as budget transfers for salaries, listing only the departments and total amounts per department.