Michael Castellano

Castellano said his top priority is improving the town’s finances. “I want to understand why we ended up in so much debt in a relatively small town, but we don’t see any real services,” he said. “Our streets are not paved well. I don’t see anything special that we have in our town that is different than any other town, but we spend so much money.” He wants to examine every line in the budget and every town contract to make sure money is being spent efficiently. He said the town should explore partnerships such as sharing parks and facilities with schools. Castellano said another priority is ensuring clean water by, for example, barring the use of fertilizer near shorelines. He is skeptical of Supervisor Joseph Saladino’s claims of improving transparency, including the creation of an inspector general office that Castellano believes will be too costly and not independent enough.

Castellano, 56, of Centre Island, is running on the Reform arty line. He is a surgeon. Castellano has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Union College in Schenectady and a doctor of medicine degree from New York Medical College in upstate Valhalla. He is a member of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District board. Castellano grew up in Connecticut. He is married and has three children.