June 23, 2026 — Town Board

Special Town Board Meeting

Summary AI

The Town Board held a special meeting to vote on a single resolution adopting a hearing officer's findings and recommending termination of a Parks Department employee with approximately 16 years of service.

Key actions

The board adopted Resolution 2026-632, accepting the hearing officer's findings and terminating the employment of a Parks Department employee (referenced as employee GFZ000299) for professional misconduct; four members voted yes and one abstained.
A resident spoke during public comment to urge the board to reconsider the penalty in light of the employee's long service record, but the resolution passed as presented.

Auto-generated from an unofficial, machine-made transcript. It may misstate names, figures, or votes. Verify against the agenda and the full transcript below.

Timestamped Transcript

Click any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.

0:00Thank you.

3:00Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are here for a special town board meeting. Today is June 23rd, 2026. It is 2 p.m.

3:07If we could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and our town clerk, Mr. Wooten, will lead us.

3:12I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3:25And Eric.

3:30Thank you, sir.

3:31I just would like to move into our notice today of our special town board meeting.

3:36And so with this, we'll just be taking any comments on resolutions that we have.

3:43Since it's kind of sparse in the room, Justin, is there anyone online?

3:56Give him a second for that.

4:00People are joining right now.

4:06Okay, so we'll give them just a second or two as we wait for this moment to happen.

4:12We want to give everybody an opportunity if they need to speak on a resolution.

4:16There's one resolution on our docket for the special meeting today.

4:20Appreciate everybody joining us.

4:23Thank you for our town board making time to deal with this very important matter.

4:30Justin, if you could just identify and let us know.

4:36As that goes, we're going to give it about another probably 30 to 45 seconds.

4:41I'd like people to join.

4:42If you are joining us online, if you could please raise your hand immediately

4:45so we know you want to make a comment.

4:49We don't want to miss anyone, but we do want to move as seamlessly as we can today.

4:55Okay, we'll give it another just another 10 seconds. Probably just here to watch. Yes, sir

5:07Okay

5:09With that said we will have a comment section at the end that go we

5:13We do have one that would like to make a comment. So

5:17Okay, so we'll allow that person to speak

5:20Again, if you're speaking you do have three minutes. We will be adhering to that

5:24tightly today

5:25Ms. Banks, can you hear us?

5:47Yes, I can.

5:48Okay.

5:49Okay. Since this is my time to speak, I'm going to say good afternoon, Supervisor Halpin

6:00and the members of the town board. My name is Marilyn Banks Winter. I am a longtime resident

6:07and your neighbor in the town of Riverhead. I respectfully want my statement to be submitted

6:17to record in regards to Mr. Ray Coyne and to request reconsideration of the penalty adopted

6:27in the resolution number 2026-632, referenced as employee number GFZ000299. I have reviewed

6:41the hearing officer's findings and the town board's resolution pursuant to civil service

6:47law section 75. It does not state the incompetency or misconduct. However, I am not here to dispute

6:57the procedural posture of the matter. Rather, I respectfully ask the board to consider whether

7:05the penalty imposed is fair and warranted in light of Mr. Coyne's long service record

7:11and contributions to the town. Now, may I continue? Yes, you have another minute and 30.

7:19Okay. Mr. Coyne has served the town of Riverhead for approximately 16 years

7:24in progressively responsible administrative supervisory roles within the Department of

7:31Parks and Recreation. He has functions as a key liaison between the department,

7:37appointed town liaison, and an advisor committee, and has been the key point person for community

7:45organizations and residents. His work has included coordinating with nonprofit organizations as the

7:52AAECF, the town and park restoration efforts, including cleanup, paint, bench repairs,

8:00and playground rehabilitations.

8:02These projects improve town facilities

8:05while reducing reliance on municipal resources,

8:10helping to save taxpayer coins, pun intended.

8:15In addition, serving as superintendent of parks and recreation,

8:20Ray has assisted with community program

8:23and public events requiring planning, coordination,

8:27and operational support in partnership with town departments.

8:31Importantly, his surface record includes involvement in significant community initiatives

8:37as the Belltown Heritage Area, the town of Riverhead's first officially designated heritage area.

8:44The Belltown is a historical legacy of African-American and Native American families

8:52who established a self-sustaining community during the 1930s in Ackerbock, Hamlet, and Riverhead,

8:59a significant landmark achievement for Riverhead.

9:03Ms. Banks, you did ask before.

9:05I just want to let you know you are over time.

9:07So if you could just if you want to say something in conclusion, just two seconds.

9:14Okay, in conclusion, and I didn't get a chance to talk about Lee Zeldin

9:18and how he gave us the flag that flew over the Capitol.

9:22But in conclusion, please consider Mr. Coyne's overall record of service and positive contributions

9:30he has made to this town.

9:33Mercy, fairness, and good judgment are always important considerations in public service.

9:38The decision you make today will not only affect one man's future, but will also send

9:44a message about how Riverhead values loyalty, dedication, and years of public service.

9:51Thank you.

9:51Thank you, Ms. Banks.

9:52Anyone else?

9:57We thank you for your statement.

9:59I just want to call it still on if you guys could.

10:03Okay.

10:03I just want to make sure we're moving to that.

10:05So with that, we'll close our comments and resolutions.

10:08And so we'll turn it over to our Mr. Wooten, town clerk.

10:12Okay.

10:14The only resolution we have today to address is resolution 632.

10:19Resolution adopting hearing officers findings and recommendations. So moved.

10:25Second.

10:25Vote please.

10:27Waski?

10:28Yes.

10:28Merrifield?

10:29Yes.

10:30Kern?

10:31Abstained.

10:32Rothwell?

10:33I think this has just been a four month period and I trust the work of the hearing officer

10:38and I think the Parks Department needs to move forward in a busy season so thank you

10:45for having a special town board meeting so that they can continue to do the work that

10:48they do.

10:49BUT BASED ON THE HEARING OFFICER'S FINDING, I VOTE YES.

10:53NEW SPEAKERHAND, I FULLY SUPPORT THE HEARING OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION OF TERMINATION OF

10:57THIS EMPLOYMENT REGARDING THE PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT IN THIS CASE, BUT I KNOW OUR RECREATION

11:02DEPARTMENT UNDER THAT LEADERSHIP OF OUR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT AND OUR TEAM WILL CONTINUE

11:08TO OPERATE AT 100% EFFICIENCY DURING THEIR BUSY SEASON, AND I VOTE YES.

11:13NEW SPEAKERHAND, THAT RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

11:15THAT CONCLUDES THE BUSINESS OF THE TOWN BOARD AT THIS MEETING.

11:18if we want to see if we have any open comments at this time would you need to

11:22allow for that you don't have any in the room would we have any on line

11:34waiting no one's online okay with that I just like to ask for a first and second

11:43adjourn. So moved. Seconded. All in favor? Aye. Thank you very much.

12:13Thank you.

Full Transcript

Thank you.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are here for a special town board meeting. Today is June 23rd, 2026. It is 2 p.m. If we could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and our town clerk, Mr. Wooten, will lead us. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And Eric.

Thank you, sir. I just would like to move into our notice today of our special town board meeting. And so with this, we'll just be taking any comments on resolutions that we have. Since it's kind of sparse in the room, Justin, is there anyone online?

Give him a second for that. People are joining right now. Okay, so we'll give them just a second or two as we wait for this moment to happen. We want to give everybody an opportunity if they need to speak on a resolution. There's one resolution on our docket for the special meeting today. Appreciate everybody joining us. Thank you for our town board making time to deal with this very important matter. Justin, if you could just identify and let us know. As that goes, we're going to give it about another probably 30 to 45 seconds. I'd like people to join. If you are joining us online, if you could please raise your hand immediately so we know you want to make a comment. We don't want to miss anyone, but we do want to move as seamlessly as we can today. Okay, we'll give it another just another 10 seconds. Probably just here to watch. Yes, sir

Okay With that said we will have a comment section at the end that go we We do have one that would like to make a comment. So Okay, so we'll allow that person to speak Again, if you're speaking you do have three minutes. We will be adhering to that tightly today Ms. Banks, can you hear us?

Yes, I can. Okay. Okay. Since this is my time to speak, I'm going to say good afternoon, Supervisor Halpin and the members of the town board. My name is Marilyn Banks Winter. I am a longtime resident and your neighbor in the town of Riverhead. I respectfully want my statement to be submitted to record in regards to Mr. Ray Coyne and to request reconsideration of the penalty adopted in the resolution number 2026-632, referenced as employee number GFZ000299. I have reviewed the hearing officer's findings and the town board's resolution pursuant to civil service law section 75. It does not state the incompetency or misconduct. However, I am not here to dispute the procedural posture of the matter. Rather, I respectfully ask the board to consider whether the penalty imposed is fair and warranted in light of Mr. Coyne's long service record and contributions to the town. Now, may I continue? Yes, you have another minute and 30. Okay. Mr. Coyne has served the town of Riverhead for approximately 16 years in progressively responsible administrative supervisory roles within the Department of Parks and Recreation. He has functions as a key liaison between the department, appointed town liaison, and an advisor committee, and has been the key point person for community organizations and residents. His work has included coordinating with nonprofit organizations as the AAECF, the town and park restoration efforts, including cleanup, paint, bench repairs, and playground rehabilitations. These projects improve town facilities while reducing reliance on municipal resources, helping to save taxpayer coins, pun intended. In addition, serving as superintendent of parks and recreation, Ray has assisted with community program and public events requiring planning, coordination, and operational support in partnership with town departments. Importantly, his surface record includes involvement in significant community initiatives as the Belltown Heritage Area, the town of Riverhead's first officially designated heritage area. The Belltown is a historical legacy of African-American and Native American families who established a self-sustaining community during the 1930s in Ackerbock, Hamlet, and Riverhead, a significant landmark achievement for Riverhead. Ms. Banks, you did ask before. I just want to let you know you are over time. So if you could just if you want to say something in conclusion, just two seconds. Okay, in conclusion, and I didn't get a chance to talk about Lee Zeldin and how he gave us the flag that flew over the Capitol. But in conclusion, please consider Mr. Coyne's overall record of service and positive contributions he has made to this town. Mercy, fairness, and good judgment are always important considerations in public service. The decision you make today will not only affect one man's future, but will also send a message about how Riverhead values loyalty, dedication, and years of public service. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Banks. Anyone else? We thank you for your statement. I just want to call it still on if you guys could. Okay. I just want to make sure we're moving to that. So with that, we'll close our comments and resolutions. And so we'll turn it over to our Mr. Wooten, town clerk. Okay. The only resolution we have today to address is resolution 632. Resolution adopting hearing officers findings and recommendations. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Abstained. Rothwell? I think this has just been a four month period and I trust the work of the hearing officer and I think the Parks Department needs to move forward in a busy season so thank you for having a special town board meeting so that they can continue to do the work that they do. BUT BASED ON THE HEARING OFFICER'S FINDING, I VOTE YES. NEW SPEAKERHAND, I FULLY SUPPORT THE HEARING OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION OF TERMINATION OF THIS EMPLOYMENT REGARDING THE PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT IN THIS CASE, BUT I KNOW OUR RECREATION DEPARTMENT UNDER THAT LEADERSHIP OF OUR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT AND OUR TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT 100% EFFICIENCY DURING THEIR BUSY SEASON, AND I VOTE YES. NEW SPEAKERHAND, THAT RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. THAT CONCLUDES THE BUSINESS OF THE TOWN BOARD AT THIS MEETING. if we want to see if we have any open comments at this time would you need to allow for that you don't have any in the room would we have any on line waiting no one's online okay with that I just like to ask for a first and second adjourn. So moved. Seconded. All in favor? Aye. Thank you very much.

Thank you.