By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA — Caitlin Appleby is officially the newest member of the Ravena Village Board.
Appleby, a political newcomer, was sworn into office Tuesday after winning her first bid for elected office with nearly 86% of the vote in the hotly contested March 15 village election.
Mayor Bill Misuraca and Trustee Linda Muller were also sworn in for another term in office. They won their races with 82% and 77% of the vote, respectively.
Misuraca is a Republican who ran on the Democratic ticket after village Republicans nominated his opponent, Dominic Ruggeri, at the January caucus. Appleby, a Republican, ran on both the Democratic and Republican tickets, but the GOP withdrew their support after she was nominated at the January caucus. Muller is a Democrat and ran on her party’s ticket.
The three officials took their oaths of office at the start of the April 5 organizational meeting of the village board.
Misuraca said he got to know his running mates better while on the campaign trail and looks forward to working with them. All three will serve four-year terms on the board.
“This village board shows incredible promise!” Misuraca said. “We have hit the ground running and have much work to do completing existing infrastructure improvements, upgrading Mosher Park, community-oriented events, the list is long. I have full confidence in my team, as every member brings value and knowledge to the table. We are here to work for the people.”
Appleby took her oath of office using a family Bible and was joined by her family. She looks forward to her first four years in office.
“I would just like to say how grateful and humbled I am that the voters of Ravena gave me this opportunity to serve them,” Appleby said. “I plan on taking time to learn about how the village functions and immediate plans are to increase community events and to start assessing community needs.”
Appleby, who has organized the annual Friendship Festival for years, is in the midst of helping to launch the inaugural We Love aRtCS Music and Art Festival in May.
Prior to being sworn in as the newest village trustee, Appleby officially resigned her position as an alternate member of the village’s planning/zoning board of appeals in a letter dated March 29.
Muller, who is starting her second term, took her oath of office with Appleby holding the Bible for her.
The swearing-in ceremony was followed by the annual organizational meeting.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Warner was reappointed deputy mayor.
Committee liaison positions were assigned to each board member. Warner will act as liaison to the police, fire and highway garage; Appleby will be liaison with the building department; Muller was reappointed to her liaison position to parks, pool and streets; and Trustee Joseph Ganley will be the liaison to the sewer department, sewer vouchers and billing.
The water and sewer committees involve a great deal of work, so two trustees are appointed to those committees, Misuraca said. Ganley and Warner will be co-liaisons for those departments.
Muller and Appleby were appointed co-liaisons to the zoning board of appeals/planning board.
The mayor is officially a liaison to all committees and departments, Misuraca said.
