My Village Priorities: Administrative & Local Law Reforms

Financial and Administrative Transparency

We will implement policies to make village government more accessible and accountable.

• Reduce Redundant Laws and Fees: By eliminating outdated local laws and reducing administrative fees to cover only actual costs, we will save taxpayers money and simplify processes. This means less red tape and lower costs for everything from building permits to business licenses.

• Improve Public Access and Communication: We will require one week of public notice for meetings, provide Zoom coverage and participation options, and hold monthly workshops for open discussion. We will also ensure the Village Hall has regular business hours and is accessible to the public, making it easier for you to get the information and help you need.

• Fiscal Responsibility: We'll reduce the accumulation of large fund balances and require all significant capital projects to be bonded. This approach ensures your tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently, rather than being held in reserve, and that the community has a clear understanding of long-term investments.

• Complete the Inter Municipal Agreement: We will complete the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the Town, which will improve relationships, communication and restore the town’s share of sales tax revenue. This will create a more stable and predictable working relationship between the two governments and may ultimately help reduce the burden on property taxes.

Empowering Residents and Businesses

Reforming cumbersome Village government practices is needed to empower residents and businesses by removing unnecessary barriers and fostering a more supportive environment.

• Repeal Moratoriums and Outdated Laws: I will work to repeal the water moratorium and abandon the pending sewer moratorium, which have hindered development and growth. Additionally, repealing the Architectural Review law whose parameters are illegal and revising the Cannabis local law in order to manage its location sites, will provide greater flexibility and clarity for property owners and businesses, while still maintaining appropriate zoning regulations.

• Reform Planning and Building Processes: My priority will be to streamline the building department to assist residents with compliance, not just enforce rules. By reducing inspection fees and frequency to only those mandated by New York State law, and eliminating the costly and opaque escrow system, we can save residents money and time on home improvement projects.

• Improve Traffic Flow and Infrastructure: I will press for traffic flow improvements on Route 32 and fast-track the replacement of the Ridge Road temporary bridge. These efforts will directly benefit residents by improving safety and reducing daily commute times.

  Efficient and Accountable Government

We must all work to ensure our Village government operates with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.

• Right-Sizing Government: By asking for an audit of existing planning board members to ensure compliance with mandatory training, evaluating staffing levels across all departments, and replacing multiple consulting firms with a part-time Village Planner, we can ensure our boards and staff are effective and that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on redundant or unnecessary positions.

• Ethical and Fair Practices: By repealing the flawed local law creating an Ethics Committee, and using accepted meeting rules to prevent grandstanding, while guaranteeing that every member of the public has an opportunity to speak, we can return to civil discourse and productive discussion. The Village Board need to be more forceful in dealing with the OC Sewer District to remedy Ramapo River outflows, protecting our local environment and community health.