Hempstead town board reappoints John Ferretti as supervisor

The Hempstead Town Board reappointed John Ferretti as town supervisor Tuesday following a contentious hearing.

Ferretti's earlier appointment, on Aug. 5, is the subject of a lawsuit brought by the Republican's opponent, Democrat Joseph Scianablo, in this fall's supervisor election. The suit alleges that appointment violated New York State Open Meetings Law.

Ferretti left Tuesday's town board meeting shortly after it started to recuse himself from discussion about his appointment. He wasn't sworn in a second time when he returned and presided over the remainder of the meeting. He did not take questions from a reporter following the meeting.

Councilwoman Laura Ryder, a Republican, said in an opening statement she asked for the resolution for Ferretti’s appointment to be placed on the ag