Huntington hires Thomas Glascock as deputy town attorney

The Huntington Town Board has hired a new deputy town attorney, replacing a woman who has worked in the attorney's office for more than 20 years.

The board voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to appoint Thomas Glascock, 44, of Huntington, who plans to leave his job at a Uniondale firm to work for the town. Glascock is scheduled to start on March 1, which will be the last day for his predecessor, Thelma Neira.

Neira, 55, said she found out she was losing her job the day before the meeting. "I was told this was coming, there is no animosity," she said. "I have the greatest respect for the town attorney's office."

She said she started working for the town attorney's office in 1992, and her titles have included deputy town attorney and assistant town attorney.

The lone dissenting vote came from board member Gene Cook, who said he was upset because he never got to interview Glascock.

Supervisor Frank Petrone said Neira will be offered contract work from the attorney's office. "This is in no way anything derogatory against her," Petrone said.

Glascock will be paid $140,000 a year. Neira's salary was budgeted at $147,998 last year, and $152,216 this year, town documents show.

Glascock and his firm, Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana, have worked as outside counsel for the town's Economic Development Corporation.

He has been a town resident since 1998 and lives with his wife and three daughters. "I really look forward to contributing to our wonderful town," he said.