ALBERT DICKSON - Town Board Councilman, Elected 11/23
In a Nutshell
Albert, whose Island roots go back to 1860, previously served for four years on the Town Board, where he was the leading, and sometimes sole, voice for protecting our precious water. A former environmental project manager, he was not afraid to advocate for requiring more frequent installation of upgraded septic systems or to simply say “no” to needless environmentally threatening development. He brings this approach back to the Town Board. He thinks this requires an understanding of the perspectives of all Islanders. He knows how the Town functions and that it could function in a much more open, responsive, and efficient manner.
Photo: E P Labrozzi
The Whole Nine Yards
Albert Dickinson is a fourth generation Long Islander. Prior to be elected to the Town Board in November 2023, he served from 2018-2021 as the leading advocate for protecting our water.
Albert’s great-grandparents settled here in 1860. They purchased and farmed about 20 acres of land, now known as Klenawicus Farm and Airfield. His grandparents owned and operated a dairy farm-"Mack Dairy" on St. Mary's Road. One of six children, Albert grew up in the small home his parents built in the Heights in 1934. He mowed lawns, worked at the pharmacy, and during the summer on the North Ferry.
Albert graduated from S.I.H.S. in 1971. Although he went off to pursue a college education and career,. he maintained a home here, coming back whenever possible with the intention of moving back one day. It was always his plan to come back home to the community he always felt so fortunate and privileged to have grown up in.
Prior to retiring in 2017, Albert enjoyed a long career as an Environmental Project Manager, managing numerous environmental remediation and asbestos abatement projects in New York City and elsewhere.
In 2012, Albert and his wife, Mary, moved to Shelter Island full-time. While continuing to work, he immersed himself in the community. He served as a member of the Town's Water Advisory Committee, and later became its Chairman. He also served as a former Board member of the Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation, and a Trustee for the Menantic Peninsula Association.
In November 2017, running as a Democrat, Albert was elected to serve on the Town Board for a four-year term. During his tenure, he was the leading and sometimes sole advocate for the protection of our environment, our wetlands, our water quality, and the Island's character. On a board that almost always voted in lock-step, Albert cast a lone “no” vote on a resolution to approve construction of a 9000+ square foot house, seeing no reason to relax the Town Code’s 6,000 square foot reason..
The Reporter article on Albert’s retirement stated, in part:
If there is a single word that captures his passion during his term, it’s “water.” Improving the quality of Island water became a driving force for Mr. Dickson, who introduced language to initiatives to respond to high levels of nitrates in drinking water, and concerns about the effect of large houses being built that negatively impact water quality. Always with passion, sometimes with frustration and even anger, he stressed an urgency to never postpone serious legislation meant to ensure action.
If elected to the Town Board again, Albert will bring back his passion for the environment, his environmental expertise, his kinship with others whose families have been here for generations, and the knowledge he gained while previously in office of many town issues and how Town government operates and could be improved..
Albert and Mary now live in Menantic with their two dogs, Maggie and Scout. Their three daughters, their spouses, and six grandchildren have all spent time here, and as such, the Island has become a big part of each of their lives.
Photo: E P Labrozzi