Residency law changed
After a change in a local law, now allowing the village’s clerk and/or deputy clerks to live outside of Highland Falls, Mayor Joe D’Onofrio has appointed Heidi Johnson as the new village clerk. Coming highly recommended, the mayor said, she replaces Lynae Mesaris, who resigned in May.
The local law was adopted after a public hearing on the topic. Village Attorney Alyse Terhune noted that the board had previously amended the local law about residency to allow the treasurer and deputy treasurer to reside outside the community.
There were several comments at the hearing. Olga Anderson asked if making the change “means you can’t find locally qualified people?” and Ron Malecot said that he would like to encourage the board to hire locally.
While Trustee Jim Ramus said he’d also like to see local residents hired for village positions, but voted to change the local law, noting that the current staff in Village Hall needs help to get the work done.
Trustee Peter Carroll agreed, thanking the village’s office staff for their extra hours and expanded work recently.
