Southampton Town delays hiring

The Southampton Town Board has delayed the hiring of a building inspector to give the board time to discuss the effect of the looming 2 percent property tax cap on next year’s budget.

At Tuesday’s town board meeting, Councilman Christopher Nuzzi proposed tabling for two weeks a resolution approving the hiring.

“We continue to go down a dangerous path to seek to fill every position,” Nuzzi said.

The hiring would fill a recently vacated position at lower pay, as allowed under the town’s hiring freeze.

Both Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Councilwoman Bridget Fleming argued to support filling the position now. Building inspectors bring in revenue from building permits, they said, and the department is concerned about keeping up with its workload.

Councilman James Malone said he doesn’t oppose the hiring but agreed to wait “so more conversation could happen.”

Throne-Holst voted to table the resolution, and Fleming voted against it. Councilwoman Nancy Graboski was absent.