The Town of Plattekill filled the long vacant bookkeeper’s position and announced it has begun advertising for a new recreation director.

Supervisor Jennifer Salemo announced at the August 2 Town Board meeting that the town had hired Jennifer Weber at a salary of $51,880 to fill the bookkeeper’s position.

Weber previously worked as an office manager for the Wallkill School District, Salemo said. Weber will start on August 7, Salemo said.

The town hasn’t had a full-time bookkeeper since Ben Williamson resigned earlier this year. Salemo urged the board to increase the salary from the $41,558 a year being paid to Williamson to attract qualified candidates. Weber’s salary is $10,322 more a year than what Williamson was making before his resignation was announced on April 5.

Salemo’s confidential secretary, Tiffany Galligan, has been filling in as the town’s bookkeeper for the past few months while continuing to do her regular job.

Although Weber didn’t work as a bookkeeper for the Wallkill School District, she has experience in that field, Salemo said following an hour-long executive session.

Salemo said the town is now accepting applications for a part-time recreation director to replace former recreation director/summer camp director Kim Way, whose resignation was accepted at the Town Board’s June 21 meeting.

Way, who worked for the town for two years, criticized the board for not supporting her in a statement during the June 21 meeting’s public comment period. One of her chief complaints was that she didn’t receive any backing from the board when she requested assistance in finding an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the summer camp.

Teresa Robertson, who is an EMT, was appointed as Way’s replacement to run the summer camp. The camp was held from June 26 through July 28 at Thomas Felten Park.

Salemo said Robertson won’t be considered for the recreation director’s job. The recreation director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, running the summer camp, creating budgets and organizing Halloween events and the Easter egg hunt.

Applications for the position are available on the town website at town.plattekill.ny.us or can be picked up at the Town Hall in Modena. Anyone with questions can call 845-883-7331.

Applications for the recreation director’s job must be submitted by August 31.

“We’re hoping for a good handful of candidates,” Salemo said. “We want the best candidate for the job obviously.”