Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Town of Oyster Bay has appointed Republican Andrew Monteleone, to its Board of Trustees, filling the vacancy left by former Councilwoman Michele Johnson’s recent appointment as a district court judge. Monteleone, an attorney and active community member, brings extensive experience in public service, law, and civic engagement to his new role.
The 51-year-old Syosset native said he grew up in a family very interested in politics, and that, when he had been informed the town board was looking for candidates to fill Johnson’s vacancy, he put his name forward. Upon being told he had been selected, Monteleone said that he was “very humbled to be put in that position.”
“Politics is something I’ve always been interested in, and I’ve always liked what politicians can do for their community in a positive way,” he said. “It was an honor to be considered, it was an honor to be picked, and it’s an honor to sit on the board with these people.”
Monteleone’s background includes serving on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals since 2021 and working as a prosecutor for the Village of New Hyde Park. He has also been involved in youth programs, coaching for Syosset Little League, and serving on the school board for St. Edward the Confessor School in Syosset.
Monteleone added that he believes his experience on the ZBA will be invaluable as he transitions to the town board.
“The biggest thing I’ll bring from that experience is working directly with members of the community,” he said. “On the zoning board, we often had to foster compromise between applicants and residents who had concerns. And, of course, my time as a ZBA member will definitely help me be more well versed in zoning issues.”
Monteleone said he believed one important part of his new role is to “protect our suburban way of life,” echoing the campaign slogan used by numerous Nassau County Republicans during the 2024 election. He said that an important part of that was opposing mandates from the state government, although he did not mention any specific ones or how they would be opposed.
“In Albany, the decisions that are being made are kind of not what the people in our town are looking for,” he said. “People move to the suburbs for a reason, and I want to fight to protect those reasons.”
Monteleone’s appointment on Feb. 11 followed a selection process conducted by Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and other board members, who considered multiple candidates before choosing him. Saladino praised Monteleone’s background and dedication to the community.
“Andrew Monteleone’s experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment make him a tremendous asset to the Town Board,” Saladino said in a statement. “His legal background and passion for preserving our suburban way of life will serve the residents of Oyster Bay well.”
As he steps into his new position, Monteleone hopes to contribute to initiatives that support the community, particularly in youth development and local governance.
“I’ve always been involved in youth programs, and that’s something I’d love to continue working on in this role,” he said. “But right now, I’m also taking the time to assess where I can be most helpful.”
Regarding challenges facing the town, Monteleone pointed to issues stemming from state mandates and policies. He mentioned that his experience on the zoning board has made him particularly aware of external pressures that could affect the town.
“I’m very familiar with zoning issues and the threats to our suburban character,” he said. “I plan to advocate strongly for maintaining local control over our planning and development.”
Despite his new responsibilities, Monteleone plans to remain active in various community and legal organizations. He stepped down from his role as prosecutor for New Hyde Park and from the St. Edward the Confessor’s school board due to potential conflicts but added that he still remains committed to serving as a lector at his church and coaching Little League.
Monteleone is also one of three board members from outside Massapequa, which has historically been well-represented on the board. However, he emphasized that his focus will be on serving all of Oyster Bay.
“This board doesn’t do things for the sake of Massapequa only. This board is focused on the Town of Oyster Bay, the entire town,” he said. “I’m going to continue to do what this board has done for a long time now and make decisions based on what’s good for the entire town.”
