Kenneth Rothwell
About
Kenneth Rothwell's platform centers on bringing a practical, business-minded approach to Riverhead town government, focusing on prudent financial management and operational efficiency. His campaign emphasizes applying corporate logic and economic sensibilities to local governance and town board responsibilities.
Campaign promises (2)
- transparencyKenneth Rothwell intends to apply a business-oriented approach to town government operations and financial management.Related votes
- transparencyKenneth Rothwell aims to maintain a practical 'business sense' in town board decisions if reelected.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 39
- Total speaking time
- 4:38:37
- Avg per meeting
- 7:09
- Segments
- 4600
Want every word Rothwell has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Rothwell said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
election voting guide
The direct cost to residents is basically zero, though the county and town absorb administrative costs for staffing and operating early voting sites.
2027 preliminary budget amendments and tax levy reduction
Homeowners face a modest 1.79% levy increase — under the cap.
Golf course zoning district and golf cottages
Rezoning could theoretically add up to 111 net homes town-wide if courses close and TDRs are fully used, but is designed to keep courses viable instead.
ICE Enforcement and OLA Safety Law Debate
Tooker warned of potential civil liability if officers are drawn into immigration enforcement.
Business PB zoning modernization
Opponents warn the change could depress property values and shift tax burden if commercial vacancies spread.
Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption Local Law
A small revenue loss to the town spread across roughly 200 eligible disabled veterans' primary residences.
Breezy Hill crushing facility environmental study rejected
Residents fear property values within miles could drop if a 120-decibel crusher operates nearby; the applicant has spent hundreds of thousands on engineering over ten years.
Brownfield cleanup grant
$350,000 federal grant for tank removal and site cleanup, with future tax-base gains expected.
Home occupation in detached structure requires Town Board special permit
No direct cost to taxpayers; the property owner bears the cost of moving the shed, clearing the buffer and getting code inspections.
RVAC Ambulance Barn Project and 75-Year Lease
An $8-9 million project funded by donations and ambulance revenue, not taxes.
Calverton water main extension funding
No cost to water district ratepayers; $347,000 paid by the developer.
Indoor agricultural facility at 645 Grumman Boulevard
Converting 34,000 square feet of asphalt to green space and reusing vacant industrial buildings could bring jobs and activity to the Calverton Grumman area.
SCWA North Fork pipeline / Monroe balancing test
No direct cost to taxpayers yet, but the town is spending significant staff and consultant time, and residents face potential traffic and business disruption during 12-18 months of construction.
School resource officer funding dispute
Potentially shifts SRO costs onto town taxpayers, including ~1,865 residents who pay school taxes to other districts.
Wading River Duck Ponds Restoration
Grant-funded if approved — no town tax hit for phase one, with a much larger federal-funding ask down the road.
CPF regional counsel agreement (tabled)
Riverhead's share was about 5.3% of a $400/hour regional counsel contract; costs could touch CPF open space funds.
Bluff-area development standards in Wading River
The owner may face replanting costs and a smaller or redesigned deck.
Pumpkin Smash and Food Scrap Program
Past town-funded pickups cost taxpayer money; a new partnership aims to shift costs to the school district.
Preservation of the 4-H Camp property
A potential multi-million-dollar purchase from the Community Preservation Fund — supporters want a fair price, critics call the asking price a 50% markup.
Retail parking ratios and assessment of outdoor commercial use
Unresolved — the variances requested to legalize the addition remain pending.
Decisions during term (805)
Recorded while Rothwell was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Resolution 2026-072 — McCabe Residence Chapter 219 Coastal Erosion Permit
Resolution 2026-073 — LCT Vineyards, LLC 2026 Farm Stand Approval (tabled)
Resolution 2026-074 — Breezy Hill Group VI, LLC DEIS Inadequacy Amendment
Resolution 2026-969 - Water District Budget Transfer
Resolution 2026-970 - Budget Transfer for General Liability Insurance Claims
Resolution 2026-971 - Salary Adjustment for Part-Time Police Officers
Resolution 2026-972 - Reclassify Employee to Part-Time Basis
Resolution 2026-973 - Ratify Temporary Part-Time Office Assistant
Resolution 2026-974 - Appoint Custodial Worker I
Resolution 2026-975 - Appoint Automotive Equipment Operator (as amended)
Resolution 2026-976 - Accept Resignation of Assistant Chief Fire Marshal
Resolution 2026-977 - Ch.229 Fill Importation, 61 Main Road Self Storage Facility
Resolution 2026-978 - Letter of Credit, Red's Adventures LLC (Summerwind Farm)
Resolution 2026-979 - Youngs Farm Development Rights Appraisals
Resolution 2026-980 - Retain Mary Wilson, Esq. for CPF Regional Counsel (TABLED)
Resolution 2026-981 - Ratify Agreement with Casa Projects Group LLC
Resolution 2026-982 - Amend Res. 2026-359, Professional Services Agreement with Hon. Lori M. Hulse
Resolution 2026-983 - Extend Youngs Avenue Landfill Agreement Nunc Pro Tunc
Resolution 2026-984 - Notice for Local Law Amending Chapter 291 (Water)
Resolution 2026-985 - Notice for Local Law Amending Chapter 289 (Vehicles, Traffic and Parking)
Voting record (676)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
2026-991 Extends Nunc Pro Tunc Bid #2025-30 for Disposal of Town Generated Construction and Demolition Material
2026-977 Ch.229 Application for Importation of Materials to 61 Main Road for Self Storage Facility
2026-980 Authorizes the Supervisor to Execute an Agreement to Retain the Legal Services of Mary Wilson, Esq. Consistent with Town Law §64(e)14(a) and (b)
2026-971 Approves a Salary Adjustment for Part-Time Police Officers
2026-969 Adopts Water District Budget Transfer
2026-974 Appoints a Custodial Worker I
2026-985 Authorizes Town Clerk To Publish And Post Public Notice To Consider A Local Law To Amend Chapter 289 Of The Riverhead Town Code Entitled “Vehicles, Traffic And Parking Regulations”
2026-993 Pays Bills
2026-983 Amends Town Board Resolution 2026-914 To Extend Agreement Nunc Pro Tunc for Youngs Avenue Landfill Maintenance and Monitoring
2026-973 Ratifies the Appointment of a Temporary Part-time Office Assistant
2026-978 Ratifies Acceptance Of Letter Of Credit From Red’s Adventures LLC (Summerwind Farm)
2026-987 Authorizes Town Clerk to Publish and Post Notice to Bidders for Well and Pump Testing, Evaluation, Reporting, and Information Management for Riverhead Water District
2026-984 Authorizes Town Clerk To Publish And Post Public Notice To Consider A Local Law To Amend Chapter 291 Of The Riverhead Town Code Entitled “Water”
2026-972 Reclassifies an Employee from a Call-In to a Part-Time Basis
2026-975 Appoints an Automotive Equipment Operator to the Highway Department
2026-992 Approves Special Event Chapter 255 Application for Riverhead BIDMA (Merry Market)
2026-982 Amends Resolution # 2026-359 Authorizing the Supervisor to Execute Professional Services Agreement with Hon. Lori M. Hulse
2026-990 Extends Nunc Pro Tunc Bid #2025-21 for Ford Auto Parts
2026-970 Budget Transfer for Additional General Liability Insurance Claims
2026-976 Accepts the Resignation of Assistant Chief Fire Marshal
2026-981 Ratifies the Authorization for the Supervisor to Execute an Agreement with Casa Projects Group LLC
2026-994 Resolution To Declare Public Emergency And Approve Services Related To The Declaration Of Public Emergency Requiring Immediate Removal And Reduction Of Yard Waste From Young’s Avenue Northsid
2026-979 Accepts and Approves Appraisals and Reconciled Value for Proposed Joint Acquisition of Development Rights for Youngs Farm Association LP
2026-986 Schedules Public Hearing to consider Local Laws to Amend Chapter 301, Article X (Hamlet Center (HC) Zoning Use District), Article XI (Village Center (VC) Zoning Use District), Article XVIII (
2026-988 Authorizes the Town Clerk to Publish and Post a Request for Proposals for SCADA System for the Riverhead Sewer District
2026-989 Extends Nunc Pro Tunc Bid #2025-20 for Auto Parts
Resolution 2026-969 - Water District Budget Transfer
Resolution 2026-970 - Budget Transfer for General Liability Insurance Claims
Resolution 2026-971 - Salary Adjustment for Part-Time Police Officers
Resolution 2026-972 - Reclassify Employee to Part-Time Basis
Resolution 2026-973 - Ratify Temporary Part-Time Office Assistant
Resolution 2026-974 - Appoint Custodial Worker I
Resolution 2026-975 - Appoint Automotive Equipment Operator (as amended)
Resolution 2026-976 - Accept Resignation of Assistant Chief Fire Marshal
Resolution 2026-977 - Ch.229 Fill Importation, 61 Main Road Self Storage Facility
Resolution 2026-978 - Letter of Credit, Red's Adventures LLC (Summerwind Farm)
Resolution 2026-979 - Youngs Farm Development Rights Appraisals
Resolution 2026-980 - Retain Mary Wilson, Esq. for CPF Regional Counsel (TABLED)
Wanted answers on travel costs and the town's CPF share