New Flower Hill trustee appointed

Stephen Romano

Village of Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips on Monday appointed Kate Hirsch to the Board of Trustees, replacing Karen Reichenbach, who died in May.

“I’m looking forward to working with the board, because I’ve always seen how they work and listen to residents and try to get things done for them,” Hirsch said. “I want to contribute to that.”

Hirsch, who has lived in Flower Hill for 16 years and is originally from Connecticut, has been an attorney for over 20 years.

When she graduated from the University of Connecticut, Hirsch said, she practiced employment discrimination law and then worked in insurance defense, concentrating on civil rights and medical malpractice.

She currently works with insurance claims at Administrators for the Professions,  which provides administrative and claims services to insurance companies.

Hirsch previously served on the village’s Board of Ethics.

“I think the Village of Flower Hill is a wonderful place to live, and I’m excited to get more involved with the community,” Hirsch said. “I’m ready to step up and do my part.”

Phillips said after Reichenbach’s death, many residents came forward looking to help out and fill the position, but the board waited to grieve.

The board sought to replace Reichenbach with someone who had strong roots in  Port Washington, Phillips said.

“Although Kate has a Manhasset ZIP code, she has a strong community involvement in Port Washington,” Phillips said. “And both of her children, Hannah and Carl, are students in the Port Washington School District.”

Hirsch said she believes her background in law will be something unique she can bring to the board and the issues it deals with.

“I’ve always followed village activity and have gone to the meetings over the years,’’ she said.

Hirsch served on the executive board for the PTA at South Salem Elementary School.

Phillips said Hirsch’s background fit the criteria for a replacement for Reichenbach.

“I am truly honored to appoint Kate to the board tonight,” Phillips said. “We felt that it was extremely important to pick someone with a background like Kate’s.”

 

By Stephen Romano

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