As they are mandated to do, the Village Board held its annual reorganization meeting on April 1, making no major changes in the administration of Highland Falls for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
Trustee James Ramus was named as deputy mayor for the third consecutive year. That appointment is one of the 16 that Mayor Joe D’Onofrio makes. Ramus will also serve as sanitation/wastewater commissioner, and the board’s Disaster Preparedness Committee liaison.
Trustee Brian Aylward, recently re-elected for his second four-year term, will also serve as street commissioner and, with Trustee James DiSalvo, negotiator for both the police and public works unions.
DiSalvo will also serve as police commissioner, and liaison to Board of Education.
Trustee Merv Livsey will serve as both the water and recreation commissioner, as well as the liaison to the Building Department and code enforcement officers.
Village Clerk Regina Taylor will serve as the village’s building commissioner.
D’Onofrio will serve as fire commissioner, liaison to the senior citizens, and liaison to the Town Board.
Paul Walker was appointed as the mayor’s unpaid — volunteer — administrative assistant.
In other appointments — these approved by the board — Regina Taylor was appointed as village clerk (a two year term); and Ana Sierra will remain as deputy village clerk/treasurer (a one year term). Sierra will also hold the position of Fair Housing officer.
Ralph Walters will stay as budget officer (a one-year appointment) and as treasurer and tax collector (two year terms); and Bog Meadow caretakers will remain William Baran, Randy Meche, Angelo Tosolini and Ramus. Police Chief Ken Scott will serve as 911 addressing coordinator and Bingo inspector.
No attorney was appointed.
The village’s official depositories are JP Morgan Chase, HSBC Bank USA, Orange County Trust and Key Bank. The News of the Highlands remains the official newspaper of the village, with the Times Herald Record to be used as needed.
Village Board meetings will continue to be held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month. Village Hall will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
J. Robert Folchetti & Associates was appointed as the village’s engineer.
Each year, the board is also required to appoint a group of ‘continuity of government’ village residents, in case of disaster. Appointed were:
Deputy Mayor: George Dapra, William Baran, John Willis
Deputy Fire Com-missioner: Ken Palazzo, Ken Conley, Erik Smith
Deputy Sanitation Com-missioner: Joseph Belladone, Anthony Pelella, Eva Perez
Deputy Street Com-missioner: Carlo Meyer, Anthony Galu, Randy Meche
Deputy Water Com-missioner: James McDonald, Mel Jennings, Arvel Brown
Deputy Chief of Police: Thomas Pitt, George Fallon, Ray Mesaris
Deputy Clerk: Amy Belladone, Lillian Mims, Luchy Roman
Deputy Treasurer: Michael DiSalvo, George Biskup, Harvey Green
