Government Briefs 08.18.16

Southampton Town

Down to Two in Police Chief Search

The search for a new Southampton Town police chief is down to two candidates, Frank Zappone, the town’s deputy supervisor, said on Tuesday. He would not release their names. The town board interviewed candidates after recommendations from a steering committee, and the human resources division is checking references and conducting background searches for the two candidates the board is interested in. East Hampton Village Police Chief Gerard Larsen was among the nearly 20 applicants. Mr. Zappone said that a decision would be made public by mid to late September. The current chief, Robert Pearce, will stay on through Sept. 30, though that could be extended if necessary.

Accused Highway Employee Quits

Roosevelt Sykes, a Southampton Town Highway Department employee who was arrested following an investigation into stolen material and the use of a payloader after business hours, resigned on July 21. No further information was available. A hearing officer for a disciplinary proceeding was appointed in April, following his arrest.