Change has come to Montgomery

By Nadine Cafaro
Posted 1/4/23

At exactly 9:21 a.m. last Friday, newly elected New York State Assemblyman Brian Maher officially resigned from his role as Town of Montgomery supervisor at a special town board meeting. …

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Change has come to Montgomery

Posted

At exactly 9:21 a.m. last Friday, newly elected New York State Assemblyman Brian Maher officially resigned from his role as Town of Montgomery supervisor at a special town board meeting.

Following this was the swearing in of Deputy Supervisor Ron Feller as the new town supervisor and Councilwoman Cindy Voss. Both of which were received with standing ovations and applause from the crowd.

Maher has served the Town of Montgomery for three years, beginning in January 2020. In a community update video posted on his Facebook, he recalled his time in office. He mentions accomplishments like establishing an ambulance service, creating live stream community updates, constructing a new highway garage and more. “We have good credit at the town, we’re making investments [and] we’re fixing infrastructure,” said Maher.

Near the end of the video Maher mentioned how proud he is that during his time as supervisor he aided in creating a more transparent government. For example, he and others put together the Town of Montgomery Facebook page which has surpassed 5,000 followers. “That is the definition of making your government accessible,” Maher stated.

At the meeting, Maher shared his appreciation for the town.

“Thank you to the people in the Town of Montgomery for putting your faith in me. I hope very much that at times I made you proud to call me your representative and advocate. I will remain your representative and advocate as long as I live and breathe. Yours in service, Brian Maher, New York State Assemblyman elect District 101,” Maher stated as he said his goodbye to other board members.

Maher also received a plaque at the special meeting from board members. “It’s an appreciation award presented to Brian Maher in recognition of your devoted services and unwavering dedication to the Town of Montgomery over the last three years,” said Feller when giving Maher the award. After this, board members bid their farewells to him.

“I’ve worked with lots of municipal chief executives in my town and it’s been a privilege. The town is better off from your service,” said Montgomery Town Attorney William Frank.

Councilman Michael Setteducato and councilwoman Kristen Brown also contributed to Brian’s goodbye. “I’m obviously sad but happy for you at the same time.

Congratulations and all the best,” said Setteducatio. Brown continued, “I look forward to working with Ron in the next year as supervisor. I know we’ve worked well together previously. See you later Brian.”

Councilwoman Sheryl A. Melick added, “Because of you we are in a better place.”

Because of Maher’s resignation, Feller is filling in until November 2023, which is when the election will open for a new town supervisor.

“I appreciate everything Brian has done for me in the last three years. I have become a better person and [so has] the board and the town,” said Feller.

Feller also stated that he will do the best he can and considers the town to be a top priority for him. “I just want to make it very clear that these are big shoes to fill and I don’t think anybody could fill them but I’ll just do the best I can for the next year.”

On top of Feller’s swearing in was Voss’, who has been on the town board before. “I’m just excited to be back. I’ve been away for a year. Sometimes that rest [makes you] come back with a fresh mind,” said Voss.

Voss, a Town of Montgomery resident, originally left the town board to help with a lengthy project at her full time workplace, Walden Savings Bank. Recently the board asked her to come back. “We’ve had a busy project there for the past year, so that’s why I didn’t run for reelection because we were gonna be so busy and I just didn’t feel like I could do both last year or [during] 2022,” said Voss.

Going into 2023, town board meetings will be held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The first meeting with Feller as supervisor will be held January 10 at 6:30 p.m. and will be a reorganizational meeting.