Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Robert Troiano accused the town’s communications officer, Umberto Mignardi, of favoritism Tuesday night after he spoke during public comment in defense of Councilmember Dennis Walsh.

Councilmember David Adhami, a Republican, denounced Troiano’s conduct during the interaction with Mignardi.

“What just happened up here was not conducive to encouraging town employees to come up either as town employees or in their private citizen capacity to come here and speak,” Adhami said. “I think when they get up here to speak, I don’t care who it is, there’s plenty of people I disagree with. But freedom of speech is not about protecting the speech that you agree with, it’s about protecting the speech that you disagree with.”

Troiano, a Democrat, and Walsh, a Republican, clashed over a resolution for a Manhasset Bay cleanup, with Walsh raising his voice after Troiano interrupted him.

Walsh and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, a Republican, questioned the cost of the bay cleanup, saying it was a common question for most projects. Troiano said the Republican councilmembers only question the cost for projects in District 6, which is represented by Democratic councilmember Mariann Dalimonte. Walsh disagreed, but Dalimonte agreed with Troiano.

Mignardi, who was hired by the Republican-dominated board, criticized Troiano for comparing it to another project with a cost estimate not finalized, saying that Dalimonte could provide the costs for the bay cleanup from last year. He defended Walsh’s question about the project’s cost.

Dalimonte mentioned Mignardi’s role as an employee, but he said he can also speak as a resident. Mignardi clarified that he was speaking as a resident, not an employee.

Troiano said it is “very unusual” for a town employee to make an argument to the board not for the purpose of offering their expertise. He provided examples including a public works commissioner speaking on the details of a project.

Mignardi apologized but said he didn’t think it was unusual. He said he felt harassed by Troiano’s questioning of his involvement in the town government.

Mignardi compared his public comment to that of residents who were previously criticized by town Republicans as being political operatives and defended by Democrats on the board. Such instances have happened multiple times at town meetings.

Troiano said he is not against Mignardi speaking as a resident, but said it can be problematic for him to express comments of favoritism for councilmembers when his role is to serve the whole board.

Mignardi denied accusations he was expressing favoritism and said he was acting out of due diligence.

The board unanimously approved the project.

Troiano, joined by Dalimonte, also questioned the town’s hiring of a new lobbying and grant service firm.

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP was approved unanimously by the town board as its newest hired lobbying and grant services firm but came under scrutiny over a communication issue and partisanship.

Dalimonte said the firm was previously with the town before it hired its last lobbying firm, Sustainable Strategies.

Dalimonte said the agenda had originally stated a different resolution, with the bid for lobbying to be awarded to Davidoff Hutcher & Citron but the bid for grant services to remain with Sustainable Strategies.

DeSena said Sustainable Strategies submitted a bid, which was not the lowest, and later withdrew it.

Dalimonte said she was not given notice of this change and expressed concern. She asked for further communication on changes of this matter, which Troiano agreed with.

Nicolello said Davidoff Hutcher & Citron is one of the most prominent lobbying firms on Long Island with a presence in Albany. He said the last firm hired had a strong presence in Washington, D.C., but not so much in the state government.

Troiano criticized the selection, saying that it is known as a Republican firm, which may make lobbying in a Democrat-dominated state government more difficult. DeSena disagreed and said firms have members of both parties, which Nicolello agreed with.

The town also entered into an intermunicipal agreement with Nassau County for school bus stop cameras. The vote was unanimous.

The town originally entered an agreement with the bus camera company in September 2022 but it was paused over legal issues.

BusPatrol America installs AI hardware on the sides of school buses which detects when cars illegally pass a bus while children cross the street. Drivers are then issued violations.

“The bottom line is we are trying to prevent tragedies,” DeSena said.

Troiano said no final agreement has been presented, which he asked for before voting. He also questioned the $18 fee for each violation to Nassau County, which is due in part to the town not having its own justice court to hear cases.

Nicolello said the agreement is similar to that of the Town of Hempstead.

The board also unanimously OK’d an agreement with Nassau County to fund and execute a sidewalk and roadway improvement project on Westbury Avenue. The county is agreeing to contribute at least $2,750,000. DeSena said federal COVID-19 relief funds will be used to fund it.

Carle Place Civic Association Vice President Kristin Biggin praised the project, saying its been long awaited. She asked that the civic association and residents be included as the town considers plans going forward.

“We’re just looking for Westbury Avenue to be beautiful once again,” Biggins said.

Troiano said that while he and residents are happy, he said he wished to have been included in the conversations leading up to the project as its representing councilmember.

The board approved a new tax law amendment that will require banks, lending institutions, financial institutions, title insurance companies or abstract companies or their agents to pay a $10 fee when they request a duplicate tax bill. This fee would also included if these same entities do not include the original bill in their payment.

Receiver of Taxes Mary Jo Collins said it will not impact individual residents. Individuals can still request their tax bill for free.

Collins said the purpose of the fee is to help offset the cost of materials and hopefully deter requests. She said it is consistent with other towns’ policies.

“We’re not looking to make money, we’re not going to make a lot of money on this at all,” Collins said.