Outgoing Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Rich Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) will be appointed North Hempstead Town Attorney on Jan. 1, 2024, Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said Wednesday.
The North Hempstead Town Board, which will have a 4-3 Republican majority next year, will vote to appoint him during the Jan. 9 meeting retroactive to the beginning of his two-year term on Monday.
Nicolello did not seek re-election earlier this year after serving in Nassau County for nearly three decades—six of the last as the Republican leader. Ex-Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss was elected to fill his seat.
“I am so excited to bring Rich aboard my administration, and I know he will hit the ground running and continue his strong legacy as a dedicated advocate for the residents of the Town in this new role,” DeSena, a Republican, said in a statement. “I’m confident that as Town Attorney, Rich Nicolello will work diligently in this role to help my administration fulfill my commitment to putting our residents and taxpayers first.”
DeSena said Nicolello has an extensive background within municipal government and knowledge of the community from his time as a Legislator.
Nicolello will replace outgoing Town Attorney John Chiara, who before serving in North Hempstead was the deputy county executive for compliance with Democrat Laura Curran’s administration and then appointed as acting county attorney.
Chiara was appointed by a 5-2 board vote in January 2022, with Republican Councilmen David Adhami and Dennis Walsh voting against the resolution due to not being included in the interviewing process.
DeSena voted to appoint Chiara, joining the four Democrats of the North Hempstead Town Board citing his extensive resume, but objected to being left in the dark at the time.
Chiara’s salary at his appointment was $173,000 a year, it is unclear at this time what Nicoello’s will be.
Aside from Nicoello’s time as presiding officer, he is an original member of the Nassau County Legislator and served as the chair of the Legislature’s Rules Committee and was vice chair of the Budget Review Committee.
Professionally, Nicolello has been a practicing attorney since 1986 and started his law career as a North Hempstead deputy attorney.
He previously served as counsel to the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free School District from 1987 to 2009 and leads the insurance coverage group for law firm Congdon, Flaherty, O’Callaghan, Reid, Donlon, Travis & Fishlinger.
“Rich Nicolello has not only proven himself to be a public servant with unmatched dedication, but he has also consistently shown the ability to work across the aisle to build consensus,” DeSena said. “There is no doubt that as Town Attorney, Rich will help my administration move this Town forward, as we build a proud future for all residents.”