Village opens search for new trustee

Earlier tonight, Mayor Paul Pontieri appointed Village Trustee Lori Devin to serve as Patchogue Village Clerk. Devlin will fill the position held by former clerk Patti Seal, who retired in June of 2020 and deputy village clerk Valerie Braile will remain at her current position. 

Devlin is a 36-year village resident and has served as trustee since 2006 and as a planning board member prior to that. She recently retired from her position as Suffolk County District Manager for Winebow, a national importer and distributor of fine wines and spirits. She will continue as the president of the Patchogue Arts Council.

“Serving as Village Trustee has prepared me well to step into the role of Village Clerk. I look forward to working with the Mayor and Board of Trustees to expand the current responsibilities of the job and be more involved in the day-to-day management and operation of Village government,” Devlin said. “Serving the residents of Patchogue Village has been my number one priority as a Trustee and I will continue to serve with the same commitment and enthusiasm in my new position as Village Clerk.” 

As a trustee Devlin facilitated a number of redevelopment projects including Copper Beach, Artspace and New Village. She also participated in the development of a local waterfront draft revitalization plan, secured funding for the living shoreline at Shorefront Park, as well as helped find locations for Artspace and the Plaza Cinema for Media Arts Center and the Patchogue Arts Council Museum of Contemporary Art.

Devlin passed legislation creating a Cultural Arts District on Terry Street, secured funding for downtown tree planting and a number of ongoing arts initiatives, founded the Patchogue Arts Council in addition to spearheading a number of art galleries, exhibits and walking tours, murals, public sculptures and MoCA Lights projects. She is also the liaison to the Beautification Committee of the Greater Patchogue Foundation.

“Lori Devlin’s strength is her experience in community service and business management, as well as her ability to make the important decisions that get the job done,” Pontieri said. “When considering the skills required for this key position in Village Hall, it was clear to me and the other board members that Lori would be the best choice as the new Village Clerk.”

The village board appointed Devlin to the position unanimously. Braile was not chosen due to her not living in the village. Devlin will continue to serve in her current position as a trustee until the April 5 Village Re-Organization Meeting when she and a newly appointed Trustee will take the Oath of Office. The Village Clerk’s position is a one-year appointment and Trustee position is up for election on March 15,2022.

THE SEARCH FOR A TRUSTEE

A village-wide search to fill the soon to be vacated Trustee position is now on. According to Pontieri, “Community service and government experience will weigh heavy in my decision and I expect every candidate to have a proven track record that will complement the skill sets of the other board members.” Including:

• Village of Patchogue resident and a team player
• Experience serving on the Planning, Zoning or CDA Board, PEP, Recreation, Arts Council, Patchogue Medford Youth and Community Services, PYAA Little League, etc.
• Past or current Service Club membership: Lions, Rotary, Woman’s Club, Lucero Foundation etc.

Anyone interested should email an introductory letter and resume with references to vbraile@PatchogueVillage.org no later than March 5. Interviews will be held between March 8 and March 19. A decision by the Mayor is expected to be made on or about April 1. The newly filled Trustee position will be up for election on March 15, 2022.