Tom Flight Steps Down from East Hampton Town Council

East Hampton Town Councilman Tom Flight will not run for reelection when his term concludes at the end of 2027. Flight stated that his decision stems from a persistent disconnect between his operational views and the board's decisions over his three years in office. He argued that continuing to serve without his position being heard no longer made sense for him.

During his tenure, Flight served as the liaison for the Amagansett area. He supported several specific initiatives, including the adoption of OpenGov software, the development of a new community center on Abrahams Path, and the relaxation of restrictions on accessory dwelling units. While he advocated for these projects, he increasingly became a dissenting voice on the Town Board, often casting the only negative vote.

His most recent public disagreement involved a legal dispute with the Montauk art gallery known as The Ranch. Flight voted against the town suing the owners of a large sculpture. He maintained that opposing vote as the town progressed toward a settlement. He described the board's current approach as confrontational, noting that the organization often operates from an ivory tower perspective assuming it knows best.

Flight has positioned himself as a critic of town leadership this year. He broke with the Democratic Party to support East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen in a primary challenge against incumbent Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. Larsen's bid was unsuccessful. Flight said the town has failed to focus on policies that help working-class residents for 15 years. He noted that while the administration achieved environmental goals, those successes have often come at the expense of housing affordability.

The councilman said he wants to spend the next four years with his family, whose children are in high school and college. He left open the possibility of returning to municipal government in the future, either on the Town Board or in another role. He advised that his successor should not come from the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals. He described those bodies as filtered and blinkered. He suggested candidates from other municipal sectors, such as the school board or fire department, would provide a better perspective.

The Town Board will need to fill the vacancy created by Flight's departure. His final vote will occur before the end of his term in late 2027. Flight has not announced a formal retirement date, only that he will not file for reelection. The board has not yet discussed how it will recruit or select a candidate to replace him for the remaining portion of the cycle.