The Town of North Hempstead’s communications director, Carole Trottere, will retire from her position at the end of the month.
Trottere, 63, of East Setauket, has served in her position for the past five years. Prior to working for the town, she worked in various communication and media roles around Long Island.
“I’ve been working in government public relations since the late 1990s,” Trottere said. “It has been a great ride, and I’ve really enjoyed working with all of the people in the town. I will miss them all.”
While the town searches for her successor, Trottere said she and Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth came to an agreement that she will serve as a consultant for ongoing projects she has helped organize.
Trottere’s annual salary for her director role is $120,573 and though a contract has not been finalized, she said that she will not be earning more than $20,000 for her consultancy.
“I was not accepting Carole’s retirement until she agreed to stay on as a consultant,” Bosworth said in a statement on Friday. “Carole has done such an amazing job as director of communications. All of our town residents have benefited from her unique ability to communicate what is happening in our town.”
“There are a few projects that have been ongoing that I help orchestrate and produce such as the town’s civil rights documentary,” Trottere said. “I’ll help conduct screenings and be the point of contact for people to view the production.”
Trottere’s retirement becomes official on Friday.
Her job will be the third prominent town role to be vacant going into the new year, along with the public works commissioner and highway superintendent, though both are currently filled by acting heads.
“People move on to other opportunities and challenges and others chose to retire,” Bosworth said. “We’ve had a little of both here … It’s part of life and of running a government with 419 full-time employees.”
The town has already posted a job listing for Trottere’s position, describing it as a role that “will create, implement and direct the communications strategy for a Township of 220,000 residents, nine elected officials and a dozen Town departments. The Director will serve as the primary spokesperson and media contact for the Town and will maintain key media relationships.”
Rebecca Cheng is the town’s lone remaining spokeswoman.
