Hempstead Town advances $576 million spending plan that dips into reserves

The Hempstead Town Board on Tuesday advanced Town Supervisor John Ferretti's $576 million spending plan for 2026 during a contentious meeting in which he sparred with his Democratic rival.

Ferretti, a Levittown Republican, unveiled the spending plan during a news conference last week. It is the first such plan for Ferretti, who took control of the town in August after serving more than seven years in the Nassau County Legislature. He succeeded Donald X. Clavin Jr., who resigned abruptly during a town board meeting. Clavin is running for a Nassau County judgeship in November.

The board approved Ferretti's plan, which was tentative, as the 2026 preliminary budget. The town board can revise the budget until it is adopted. Ferretti has said he expects the budget to be adopted on the evening of Oct. 16 following hearings that day, signaling that revisions are unlikely. The deadline for approving the budget is Nov. 20.

The proposal would keep the town’s tax levies flat while drawing down up to $50 million in reserves. Ferretti has said taxpayers will get a tax cut because taxes in one levy, the general fund, would fall. The proposal calls for 1,740 positions in 2026, two fewer than the budgeted total of 1,742 this year.

Democrat Joseph Scianablo, who is running against Ferretti in November, attempted to speak on the budget before the vote.

“The budget, let me be clear, I don't think there was any cut right here,” Scianablo said.

Ferretti interrupted him.

“Sir, do you have a question? Can you tell us which number you're referring to?” Ferretti said.

Ferretti did not let Scianablo speak on the budget unless he could identify it by the number on the meeting agenda — also called the administrative calendar. Scianablo did not say the number — it was 36 — and repeated that he was talking about the budget. Ferretti kept pressing Scianablo to refer to the number.  As he continued speaking, the town board ignored his comments and voted to adopt the administrative calendar, which included the budget measure.

Scianablo was allowed to speak later, during the meeting's public comment portion. He criticized the plan to use up to $50 million reserves to balance the budget, calling it a "shell game." He then challenged Ferretti to a debate.

Scianablo has sued Ferretti, the town and several officials, alleging the board violated the state's Open Meetings Law when it appointed him supervisor on Aug. 5. The town board reappointed him to the role on Sept. 16 in an effort to discontinue the lawsuit.

“As long as your frivolous lawsuit is in place, I can't debate you,” Ferretti said. “Drop the lawsuit. I’ll debate.”

Last year, the Hempstead Town Board approved a budget that pierced the state's tax cap with a 12.1% tax levy increase.