With roughly ten years’ experience running a village, New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers is now set on running the town with the same name. This news comes even as Rogers works to dismantle the village government entirely; on the same day that village residents will decide if dissolving that layer is preferred, they and all other town residents will choose the supervisor to guide the transition to a post-village future — should that indeed come to pass.
In the text announcement released today, Rogers emphasized fiscal management by pointing to village tax rates, which have not been increased for nine successive years. That’s despite updating heavy equipment for the public works and fire departments. The village books have also regularly passed stressed tests conducted by personnel from the state comptroller’s office.
Rogers has long worked to integrate operations of the town and village governments, but has sometimes been frustrated in those efforts. In an interview, the current mayor stressed that this is not due to issues of ego or self-interest, but bureaucracy and legality. The current push to reduce the number of local governments from two to one would clear away those impediments, Rogers believes. If dissolution is successful, it would also unlock a million additional dollars in state aid every year, $300,000 of which could be used to fund government operations. The remainder must be applied to reduce property taxes further.
While acknowledging that there will be a learning curve to take on this position, Rogers said, “Every day as an elected official is figuring out puzzles. This will be more of the same.” The mayor’s primary goal, if elected to the new role, would be to stop the cycle of tax increases that have vexed voters in town elections for some years.
Other village officials are also exploring options, should the village itself be abolished. Alex Wojcik is running to become the next county clerk, and both Stana Weisburd and William Wheeler Murray are vying for the local county legislative seat being vacated by Limina Grace Harmon.
The current town supervisor, Amanda Gotto, confirmed the intent to run again via text message. Gotto “submitted a letter of interest” to the Democratic committee “a couple of weeks ago.”
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