Board unanimously adopts administrative calendar amid heated public exchange over budget

The Town of Hempstead board voted to adopt the administrative calendar "in its entirety" after a motion and roll-call vote.

A board member moved to adopt the administrative calendar; the motion was seconded and the clerk called the roll. The roll call in the meeting record shows the following recorded 'Aye' votes: Supervisor Ferretti; Councilman Dunne; Deputy Supervisor Goosby; Councilwoman Miller; Councilman Muscarel; Councilwoman Bridal; Councilwoman Ryder; Councilman Schneider. The motion carried.

The vote occurred during a tense period of public comment. Joe Cienablo (introduced by the moderator as a candidate for Hempstead supervisor) strongly criticized the board's budget approach and accused the administration of "playing a shell game" with reserve funds, saying the practice risks the town's bond rating and alleging the plan masks a purported 12.1% tax increase. Cienablo also referenced a lawsuit he has filed against the town and called for a public debate on October 28; the moderator said the pending lawsuit constrains the schedule for a candidate debate.

Board members and staff repeatedly asked Cienablo to specify which administrative-calendar item he wished to address; the exchange included interruptions and repeated procedural clarifications from meeting leadership. The clerk completed the roll call and the administrative calendar motion passed with all recorded votes in favor.

Next steps: The administrative calendar has been adopted; specific items on that calendar were not detailed on the public record captured here. Public commenters and board members continued to press for follow-up on budget questions and for clarity on outstanding legal matters and debate scheduling.