The Stanford Town Board appointed Nathan Lavertue to a one-year term Thursday, Jan. 8, following an executive session during its first meeting of the new year, which also addressed rising EMS costs, short-term rental enforcement and multiple board vacancies.
The board spent more than an hour in executive session interviewing three candidates to fill the vacant seat left by now Supervisor Julia Descoteaux. Lavertue did not seek reelection when his four-year term on the board expired Dec. 31, 2025.
The other candidates considered were Frank Marcin, a retired law enforcement officer who lost a bid for Town Board in 2025, and Steven Horowitz, a Stanfordville attorney.
After returning to open session, the board voted unanimously to appoint Lavertue.
Town Supervisor Julia Descoteaux said the decision was based on past service and anticipated future impact. She emphasized that the appointment is for one year and encouraged the other candidates to remain involved in town affairs.
During liaison reports, board member Eric Haims reported on enforcement of the town’s short-term rental law. Stanford has 34 active short-term rentals, with 10 permits issued and four applications pending inspections. Letters will be sent this week notifying the remaining 20 property owners that they are in violation of local law.
“If you own a short-term rental property and you haven’t filled out your permit, please come in and take care of that,” Haims said.
Descoteaux, reporting for the Conservation Advisory Commission, said the group discussed dog policies at town preserves, where dogs are allowed only if leashed, and plans to focus on public education due to limited enforcement. She also said the commission discussed flood resilience initiatives and future restoration work at Buttercup Preserve, with education around water resources identified as a 2026 priority.
In her supervisor’s report, Descoteaux said town finances were in good shape as officials closed the 2025 books and began 2026. She said a budget amendment addressing increased emergency medical services costs would be introduced next month.
Stanford’s annual ambulance contract increased from $750,000 to about $768,000 after the provider was acquired by Empress Emergency Medical Services. The town negotiated the increase down from an initial 5% request to 2.5%.
The board approved a $12,000 budget modification to increase funding for court clerk services, offset by increased revenue from fines and forfeited bail. Descoteaux praised court clerk Charlene Sisco, calling her “a great support for the courts.”
The board also appointed a veterans affairs liaison and reported several vacancies remain open, including one seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals and two on the Planning Board. Interested residents were encouraged to submit letters of interest to Town Clerk Ritamary Bell at townclerk@townofstanford.org.
The next Stanford Town Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 12.