Following a brief ceremony honoring former Town Supervisor Jim MacArthur, the Ancram Town Board on Jan. 15 debated how to fill a vacant seat created by the election of his successor, Colleen Lutz, ultimately delaying that decision while moving forward with the appointment of a deputy supervisor.
The vacancy was created after Lutz, previously a town board member, was elected supervisor in November. In that election, incumbent Amy Gold and newcomer Jennifer Boice won the two open board seats, while two-term incumbent Bonnie Hundt finished third.
At the board’s organizational meeting earlier this month, Lutz said she had asked the town Ethics Committee to review potential conflicts of interest related to filling the vacancy and appointing a deputy supervisor. Board members David Boice and Jennifer Boice are married, and Jennifer Boice is Lutz’s sister-in-law.
Ethics Committee Chair Jack Lindsey reported that the committee unanimously recommended appointing a fifth board member who is not related to any sitting member, citing the need to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. The committee also encouraged greater transparency in board deliberations.
Gold nominated Hundt to fill the vacant seat, with Lutz seconding the motion. David Boice and Jennifer Boice voted against the appointment, and the motion failed.
Lutz then proposed Lewis Slater, a Poole Hill Road resident and member of the Ancram Volunteer Fire Department, as an alternative candidate. Gold said she was unfamiliar with Slater, and the board agreed to meet again at a special meeting, yet to be scheduled, before taking a vote.
On Jan. 19, the town also posted a public notice inviting residents interested in the vacant seat to submit their names and résumés to the town clerk by Feb. 1.
Lutz separately appointed Hundt to the nonvoting, volunteer position of deputy supervisor, whose role is to preside over meetings in the supervisor’s absence. The position is appointed at the supervisor’s discretion and is often, but not always, held by a sitting board member.
Several residents raised concerns during public comment that Hundt is a divisive figure. Lutz said she chose Hundt based on her eight years of experience on the board and the fact that Hundt received the next highest number of votes in November.
“And if it doesn’t work out, it can be changed,” Lutz said.
Other residents urged the board to formalize a process for filling future vacancies and to give the new supervisor’s appointment time to succeed.
In other business, Jennifer Boice reported completing state-required training for newly elected officials and praised Town Clerk Monica Cleveland for her institutional knowledge and support. Gold said the town’s Technology Committee has identified two potential vendors to redesign the town website and expects to make a recommendation in February. She also said the town is planning a summer event to help seniors learn about services offered through the county Office for the Aging.
David Boice criticized the town’s email communications and questioned the board’s approach to filling the vacant seat.
“Nowhere in the town laws does it say you appoint someone who received the third most votes,” he said.
Lutz reported that she was appointed to the Columbia County public safety and public works committees at her first meeting of county supervisors and said she is seeking a role on the county’s solid waste subcommittee to better understand the closure of the Gallatin transfer station. She also announced that 2026 recycling permits are now available through the town clerk’s office.
The board unanimously approved a $200 setup fee and $50 monthly cost to allow the town court to accept online fine payments. The board also discussed future issues, including revisions to the town’s escrow law, problems with the town hall phone system, coordination software for land-use boards, and reestablishing an Economic Development Committee.
During public comment, resident Lynn Chu criticized the town’s zoning regulations and the work of the Zoning Revisions Committee, calling for a significant reduction in the length of the zoning code. Current committee member Steve Olyha responded by objecting to what he described as personal attacks on volunteer board members.
The board postponed its year-end 2025 budget meeting until immediately before its Feb. 19 meeting, citing the need for additional review by the town’s accountant.