Latino residents in the Town of Islip and their supporters are celebrating the settlement of a federal lawsuit aimed at helping them become represented on the Town Board.

Until now, Islip used what's known as an “at-large system” – meaning the four board members could come from any part of the town. Some argued that communities of color, such as Brentwood, were left without a voice.

The town has agreed to switch to a new system that will divide Islip into four distinct districts, each with its own board member. One of those districts, centered in Brentwood, will be predominantly made up of Latinos.

"We'll no longer be second-class citizens in the Town of Islip," Maria Hernandez said through an interpreter. "We'll finally have a representative from here...in Brentwood."

The lawyer in this case argued the town's at-large system violated the Voting Rights Act. The four current board members are all white and come from communities which are, on average, 92.1% white, according to the census data.

Attorney Fred Brewington says the settlement will finally give the town's minority residents a seat at the table.

“The impact of this case is going to be felt in those communities like Brentwood and Central Islip, they'll have the opportunity to vote and have their vote not be diluted,” he told News 12.

In a statement, Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter says the decision to settle was made after considering the escalating costs and inherent uncertainty of litigation.

She wrote, "The Town Board will continue its unwavering commitment to represent and be accountable to all our residents in the Town of Islip, as the transition is made to councilmanic districts."

The revised system will be effective immediately. The first election involving the newly drawn districts will take place next year.