Newly elected Supervisor Thomas Dolin took his oath of office during Town of New Scotland swearing-in ceremonies held on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at town hall.
Deborah Baron and Richard Reilly also took their oaths to serve alongside Dolin as town board members for four-year terms. Diane Deschenes, who was re-elected town clerk and Deputy Town Clerk Carol Cootware were also sworn in, as was Darrell Duncan as highway superintendent. Town Justices Margaret Adkins and David Wukitsch also took the oath of office.
The town board at its organizational meeting made several reappointments, including Robert Parmenter to a five-year term on the zoning board of appeals. Lorraine Tuzzolo was reappointed to a new seven-year term on the town planning board. Jo-Ann Davies will serve a one-year term as alternate member of the town planning board. L. Michael Mackey was reappointed town attorney and Louis Neri was reappointed to a one-year term as council to the zoning and planning board.
Dolin called the next few years a critical period for the town.
`We have been able to maintain our rural character; however, there is substantial new interest from both commercials and residential developers to locate here,` Dolin said.
The first few months, according to the newly elected supervisor, will be spent trying to whittle down a $100,000 deficit in the town budget.
`I have to dedicate myself to closing the gap without resorting to a tax increase,` said Dolin.
Other issues Dolin expects to face as supervisor include the challenges of trying to find an ample water supply for the town along with managing town growth.
`It’s an exciting time for me,` said Dolin, whose other duties as supervisor include the day-to-day operations of the town, and serving as budget officer and a voting member of town board. Dolin served as town justice in New Scotland for 14 years before retiring and then deciding to run for supervisor.
Dolin replaces outgoing supervisor Ed Clark, who retired at the end of 2007.“