Grattan declines new term in top county post

By DOUG LAROCQUE

NEW LEBANON–The previous New Lebanon Town Board agreed to change the position of Town Supervisor from part-time to full-time. That has gone unchallenged until the board’s February 13 meeting, when the question was placed on the agenda by Councilman Craig Skerkis. With the agenda for the meeting published days in advance, it sparked significant public comment, both for and against.

Councilman Skerkis indicated that during the fall’s budget negotiations, he would like to see the position returned to part-time. Councilman Steve Powers brought up a New York State law that does not permit such a change during a person’s term in office. Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling’s term does not expire until December 31, 2025. Mr. Powers explained the earliest a board could debate the change was during the budget negotiations for 2026.

Councilman Skerkis repeatedly pointed out his issue was not with Supervisor Houghtling personally but with the scope of the job. He praised her as one of the hardest working people he had ever known. Mr. Skerkis described himself as a conservative, who believes in less government and that includes less grants. Why? Grants cost the people of the state money, which increases taxes. He called New York the highest tax state in the union.

He also mentioned the requirements for the supervisor’s job, which he indicated do not require all the extra work (for the town) that Ms. Houghtling currently performs.

Mr. Skerkis summed up his argument with the current situation as “a terrible imbalance of power.”

Of course, Mr. Skerkis’ comments did not go unchallenged. Supervisor Houghtling indicated that at Mr. Skerkis’ request, she has previously sent him an email outlining all she does and would be glad to include her NYS Retirement paperwork, that lists all the tasks she performs for the town. She pointed with pride to the grants New Lebanon has received over the past several years, including the recent pro-housing designation (New Lebanon was the only Capital Region community to be so named) and the $500,000 grant for the park renovations. Ms. Houghtling also pointed out that times have changed. Years ago, even a small town like New Lebanon could get by with a part-time supervisor, but with all the new laws, both federal and state, New York’s much debated unfunded mandates on towns and counties, and all the opportunities for funding currently available for programs to enrich the community, she feels a full-time position is justified.

Supervisor Houghtling noted her role is subject to change during November of 2025, when the budget for the following year is prepared. “Let that be an issue for the 2025 election, when either myself or whoever is running for supervisor can debate the issue and let the public decide,” she said.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Kroboth suggested perhaps the job description for the supervisor’s role should be changed. Ms. Houghtling did not think that was a bad idea and noted such a change does not lock the board members into a full-time supervisor’s role, noting if the board changes the term and compensation when they can legally do so, the job description could also be changed at that time.

Technically, there is no town bookkeeper. Supervisor Houghtling takes the responsibility on as part of her job as supervisor. The previous board rolled that position into the scope of the supervisor’s duties and eliminated the position of bookkeeper. Partially because for Ms. Houghtling to have appointed herself to a position of bookkeeper would have been illegal.

Also at the meeting, the issue of the new self-storage facility law was discussed. This is an issue that has been debated since early last year when the issue of new commercial storage units or expansion of existing structures was brought before the previous board. Initially, the sentiment was to not allow either, but through some persuasion from Supervisor Houghtling, that thinking underwent some revisions.

In late 2023, a new local law was proposed by the Zoning Re-write Committee, that would allow new or expanded construction, but with some significant restrictions, particularly concerning the type and design of the buildings and required screening. That met with some opposition, particularly during a public hearing on the law and was sent back to the committee for another look-see. At the January board meeting, the debate lingered. It was then Supervisor Houghtling and Councilman Powers agreed to work through the proposed law and bring it back to the board at the February meeting. (Editor’s note: In our January report we incorrectly indicated the law was passed.)

Councilman Skerkis indicated he was not prepared to move forward with the law but by a 4 to 1 vote the councilors decided to send the current version to attorney Jonathon Tingley to prepare a new local law to be introduced at the council’s March meeting, with a potential vote in April. Supervisor Houghtling indicated there was now some urgency to the matter as the town’s moratorium on any new construction or expansion expires in April and she knows of at least one contractor who plans to apply for a permit upon that expiration. She indicated without the new law, the previous statues governing such construction would apply.

Even by New Lebanon timing (most meetings take about 2 hours) this was a long night. The meeting lasted just shy of 4 hours. There were many other important issues on the agenda this night. Because of space considerations, too many to elaborate on in one report. The rest of the details will be outlined in next week’s edition of The Columbia Paper.