Suffolk's new legislators eye affordability, public safety and county infrastructure as they settle into office

Seated alongside fellow Suffolk lawmakers inside the Rose Caracappa Auditorium last week for the first time, RJ Renna could sense the gravity of the moment.

"It was definitely exciting but there is a great sense of responsibility I felt while sitting there as well," the freshman Republican from Lindenhurst said of taking his seat at the legislative horseshoe.

While the youngest current member of the governing body, Renna, 34, brings nearly eight years of experience as an elected official, most recently as deputy mayor of the Village of Lindenhurst. He is one of three newcomers to the legislature, who all cited affordability, public safety and county infrastructure as key issues facing the governing body as they begin their inaugural year in office.

In interviews with Newsday, Renna, along with Legis. Sal Formica (R-Commack) and Legis. Greg Doroski (D-Mattituck) described their first week as a whirlwind of meetings, settling into new offices and preparing for the upcoming year. Along with the other 15 incumbents who were all sworn into office on Jan. 5, they'll play a role in overseeing county finances, adopting local laws, advocating for issues specific to their districts and serving as a check on the county executive's power. 

The newcomers' entrance comes during a time of change as the legislature shuffled leadership and as Democrats seek to expand their voice after breaking up the GOP supermajority in November. The Republicans still hold an 11-7 majority.

"The goal is for us to have equal voice," said Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), the minority leader.

All legislators are serving three-year terms after voters approved a referendum in November to extend the length of terms from two to four years, following the state's shift of local elections to even years starting this year. The Suffolk Democratic Committee, however, has said it may challenge the legality of the referendum, leaving the possibility the legislators could have to run again in November.

Doroski was the only challenger to prevail in November’s legislature races. Renna and Formica both won in districts where the incumbent was term-limited.

Lawmakers last week swore in Legis. Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) as presiding officer and Legis. James Mazzarella (R-Moriches) as deputy presiding officer. Legislators earn $119,648, while the deputy presiding officer receives $132,943 and the presiding officer is paid $146,241, according to the county budget.

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, a Republican, addressed the legislature briefly at the organizational meeting and said he planned to meet individually with each legislator to talk about their districts.

"I want to hear from you about what we can do to make Suffolk the place we all want it to be, and that doesn’t come from one man’s vision," he told the lawmakers.

Romaine referenced "great challenges ahead," particularly on the fiscal side, and reiterated his commitment to never pierce the state tax cap when preparing the county’s budget. He said affordability, housing, sewer projects and public transportation are among the key issues facing the two co-equal branches of government.

Youngest legislator

Renna said his "most important job" over the next year is "learning this community better."

He represents the 14th District that includes Babylon and Lindenhurst villages, as well as parts of Copiague, North Babylon and West Babylon. He ran unopposed in November to win the seat formerly held by Kevin McCaffrey, who served as presiding officer for the past four years. “There are a lot of infrastructure things that need to happen in the county and it’s going to require a lot of money," Renna said. "But we want to be focused on keeping taxes down."

He said he's already heard about specific projects, such as dredging in Babylon, downtown investments in Babylon Village for sidewalks and streetscape improvements, and ensuring an amphitheater project in Lindenhurst Village moves forward. He said he's also heard from constituents about safety concerns on certain roadways.

Renna said he’ll retain his current job as director of client services for a marketing company while serving on the legislature. His legislative office is located in the same building, making it "convenient," he said, "to run back and forth."

Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia in his endorsement of Renna in the run-up to November’s election referred to him as "the future of our party and our county."

Renna said he hopes to live up to those expectations but for now is focused on getting to work in his new role.

Focus on sewers

Formica, 60, a retired detective who worked with the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit, represents the 13th District that covers parts of Smithtown. He replaced fellow Republican Robert Trotta, who was a retired Suffolk detective when he was first elected.

He said several sewer projects in his district will be a priority, including along Route 25A in Smithtown to connect the downtown business district to sewers. Additional funds are still needed toward that project, which is estimated to cost more than $104 million, according to a county report issued in July on sewer projects.

Formica said Romaine has pledged additional funds over the next three years toward the project.

Formica said he looks forward to "working across the aisle" and said he already has a good relationship some of the Democrats.

"At the end of the day, you know, it’s not about party — it should be about the people," he said.

Preserving open space

Doroski, 45, joins the legislature after previously serving on the Southold Town Board. Doroski said his prior relationship with William Duffy, the counsel for the legislature, has already proved helpful. Duffy had overlapped with Doroski for two years when they both worked for Southold Town.

Doroski’s district spans five towns, including all of Southold, Riverhead and Shelter Island, then small portions of Southampton and Brookhaven. 

He said affordability and public safety are key issues, as well as preserving open space and farmland and protecting water quality.

Doroski said he understands serving as a member of the minority party is "tough" and will present challenges, but he was confident he can work alongside the Republican majority. He recalled his experience on the Southold Town Board when there was an even split between the parties.

He said he’s already been communicating with lawmakers of both parties about the preservation of a house on a parcel that overlaps districts.

"Just geographically we need to work together on this stuff," he said. "It’s in the interest of all our constituents to figure out how to preserve this."

Doroski weighed in on resolution at the organizational meeting to approve the body’s calendar for 2026. Doroski followed Legis. Ann Welker (D-Southampton) in requesting the number of general meetings in Riverhead return to four. The legislature reduced the number of East End meetings to three this year.

"Although the majority did end up moving forward with only three regular meetings in Riverhead, I at least had the ability to express my unhappiness with that move before it was voted on," Doroski said.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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