At a quick and festive meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Gallatin Town Board paid tribute to Highway Superintendent Jack Gomm, who is stepping down after 15 years, and to board members Michael Moran (eight years) and Dan Quinn (four), who are leaving office effective Dec. 31.
Supervisor John C. Reilly complimented and thanked Gomm, and called attention to his unbroken string of 180 monthly reports; the town presented him with a certificate of its appreciation.
Gomm shared that his department has responded to two snow events this month, then thanked the two Supervisors and 10 different board members with whom he has worked, as well as his own crew members and the other town employees. The board voted unanimously to appoint 19-year department veteran Todd Coons as acting Highway Superintendent, effective Dec. 31. The board will make an appointment to the position for a two-year term in 2026.
In thanking Moran, Reilly cited his work over the past five years in leading the committee planning renovations for the Town Hall. “I’ve learned a lot over the last eight years,” Moran said. “We didn’t agree on everything, but I couldn’t think better of the people I served with, past and present. Thank you for the opportunity, and I look forward to coming back to board meetings and sitting on the other side of the table.”
Quinn was unable to make the meeting, but Reilly noted his past service on the Comprehensive Plan Committee and his historical perspective and long association with the town. He also hoped that Quinn would return, in a non-board capacity, to lead future year-end town holiday parties and summer community days with his singing and virtuoso guitar work.
Leah Cadwallader was elected earlier this month as a Fire Commissioner. Early in the year, the commissioners had expressed concern over filling all of their five positions, and they raised with the board the possibility of dissolving the Gallatin Fire District — in which case service would be provided, just as it is now, by the fire departments from Ancram, Milan, Pine Plains, and Tagkhanic, but with different fees charged to different Gallatin property owners, depending on their location. Reilly reiterated the board’s opposition to dissolving the district.
Reilly shared that the town is on target to end the year with a $3.2 million cash reserve. Some of that will be used to pay off bond and state retirement penalty debts, and some toward Town Hall repairs. Building Inspector Jake Exline said there had been 58 total building permits in 2025, with just one for the construction of a new home. The Climate Action Committee reported that they have a draft Natural Resources Inventory document, but will be coming to the board in January with a proposal for some additional work. Reilly thanked the CAC: “You have brought a lot of funding into the town for environmental efforts.”
There was a brief discussion of the ongoing revision of Gallatin zoning regulations. Moran hoped the board would continue to focus on “how we treat prospective businesses. Can we make it clear, and easy to comply with, the kind of impact we want to encourage.” Board member Jeff Jorve urged the public to review the regulations on the town website and to provide feedback, especially regarding the zoning use tables. “Let’s get fresh eyes going over these and let’s have a discussion of what businesses will be welcome in Gallatin and where,” he said. Reilly added that the town might take an opportunity to expand its hamlet borders, and to identify some new areas where higher density/lower-priced lots might be created.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that there would be an election for highway superintendent in Gallatin in 2026. The position is appointed, not elected. The article has been updated.