Jens-Smith taps Kent as her new deputy

Riverhead Town has a new deputy supervisor.

Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith has appointed Councilwoman Catherine Kent to the post, replacing Councilman Tim Hubbard.

The town board during its organizational meeting today passed a resolution acknowledging the appointment and setting compensation for the position at $100 for the year.

Jens-Smith said she believes it’s important to have different people in the position of deputy supervisor “to learn the ropes of how to run a meeting etc.” She said she and Hubbard agreed up front the appointment would be for one year.

Jens-Smith and Kent, both Democrats, were elected to the board in November 2017 and have just completed their first year in office. Hubbard and the other two councilpersons, James Wooten and Jodi Giglio, are Republicans.

“When I came into office, I had asked Tim because I felt he had more experience on the board. Now it’s a year later and Catherine has a year’s experience.”

Kent said she is proud to serve as councilwoman and looks forward to serving as deputy supervisor. She thanked Hubbard for his service.

“Anyone who knows Councilman Hubbard knows how much he loves our town,” Kent said.

Under state law, the office of deputy supervisor is a position created by town board resolution. But the appointment of the deputy supervisor is made by the supervisor. The deputy serves as the pleasure of the supervisor.

In the supervisor’s absence or inability to act, or while the office of supervisor is vacant, the deputy supervisor presides over meetings of the town board and is vested with all of the powers and duties of the supervisor under state law.