Southampton Select Board accepts resignation, approves committee appointment and several personnel actions

At its June 23 meeting the Southampton Select Board accepted the resignation of Select Board member Ellen Deure, effective June 17, 2026. Members thanked Deure for her service and noted the board will operate with four members until a replacement is elected.

John asked staff to research whether a special election could place a replacement candidate on the November ballot; Scott said KP Law and election officials would be consulted and that November was the more realistic target if timing allowed.

The board also moved and approved a slate of personnel actions: it appointed Steven Johnson to the Open Space Committee as an at-large member through June 30, 2029; it approved a PCF to hire Joseph (Joe) Russell as a full-time Water Department technician with an effective date of July 6; and it approved two library PCFs — hiring Kayla Fiend as part-time youth librarian and adding two hours per week to Lisa Sheay's senior technician schedule.

Joe Russell introduced himself briefly and described his certifications; Andrea spoke on behalf of the library hires, describing candidates' experience and program ideas. Members voiced appreciation for the hires and for Deure's service. The board did not appoint an interim select board member at the meeting and asked staff to return with timelines and legal options at the July 14 meeting.