Gerard F. Siller

GERARD F. SILLER

Democratic

BACKGROUND:

• Siller, 67, of Shelter Island Heights, is seeking reelection as supervisor, his fourth term overall.
• He previously served two terms as supervisor, from 1998 to 2001. He also runs a landscaping and maintenance business.
• "We got a lot done my first two terms and I thought it was time to finish some of that work, to get housing and water addressed instead of just talking about it," he said.

ISSUES:

• Siller said a priority is community housing that's priced so young families can stay on the island. "We have to retain young families to keep our sense of community. The way the real estate market has changed so quickly, nothing is affordable for young families." That might happen landwise with transfer of development rights or by establishing a floating zone for housing in the town's Comprehensive Plan, Siller said.
• He would continue discussions with the Suffolk County Water Authority regarding the West Neck Water District, which the SCWA agreed to run for six months after the system's longtime manager retired in July.
• Water continues to be an issue for the island, Siller said. He would continue efforts to combat nitrate contamination in the center of the island, as well as saltwater incursions in residential wells along shorefront properties.