If Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter wins the race to fill a seat left vacant by Ed Romaine in the Suffolk County Legislature, at least one of his town board members will run to take over the reins.
On Thursday, Riverhead Town Councilman John Dunleavy, a Republican, said he was interested in the town's top seat.
"If Sean gets elected, I'll run for town supervisor," Dunleavy said.
At the meeting, Walter outlined different scenarios that could unfold, should he win the legislator's seat in a special election to be held on Jan. 15. The date was just approved by the Suffolk County Legislature Thursday.
Should he win, Walter said the town's deputy supervisor, Jill Lewis, would take over the functions of the town supervisor, including running town board meetings and work sessions. However, he added, the deputy supervisor cannot vote. Lewis, he said, would finish up his current term, which is up on Dec. 31 of next year.
Other options, Walter said, could include a special election called by the town board, or by the governor.
Without a special election, the seat would be vacant until the next election, with the deputy supervisor filling his shoes.
Dunleavy, who said at Thursday's work session that he is unhappy with discussions on issues that take place without his input -- he said he often finds matters to be voted upon before him without discussion beforehand at work sessions -- said his discontent with the process has led to his desire to run for supervisor.
A special election, Dunleavy added, would be paid for by Suffolk County, not the town.
Walter added that if he does not win the race against opponent Al Krupski, "I would be back -- I'm not leaving."
