MOREAU – Newly elected town officials and one incumbent council member were sworn in Monday, Jan. 1, in front of a packed house at the Moreau Town Municipal Building.
“I know that this was a concerted effort that crossed parties, and that was very impressive,” said Town Justice Jeff McCabe, who himself ran unopposed in the latest election.
In November, Jesse Fish, Patrick Killian, incumbent John Donohue, and Erin Trombley handily won positions as town supervisor, two council members, and town clerk respectively.
All four ran under the “Moreau United” ticket, which was ultimately supported by the democratic caucus, but was comprised of both Democrats and Republicans.
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McCabe said as a town justice of the peace, he has to remain “apoliical,” but said the coming together of different political affiliations and voter turnout were hallmarks of the American democratic system we should all be proud to see.
“Whether you voted for someone else or the people that got elected, it’s important to vote,” he said.
Each of the officials took their oath of office with aplomb and applause from the audience. In particular Donohue, who commented on his casual approach to the day.
“I figured, a farmer and a biker – they’re not going to wear a tie,” Donohue said with a laugh referring to Killian and Fish, who were dressed to the nines.
Donohue was tie-less, so McCabe lent Donohue his tie, which Donohue wore loosely, untied around his neck.
Elizabeth Bennett was also sworn in as Fish’s confidential secretary.
“You folks have to remember that you won the election, we didn’t win this election,” Fish said gesturing to himself, Donohue, and Killian after the ceremony was complete. “And you can’t just go back to your houses and shut te door and expect miracles. You have to help us. You have to speak up, let us know what’s on your mind, come in and help us, and we’ll do the best that we can to help you back.”
As folks stood to congratulate the new officials, and discuss the future, Killian said he’s looking forward to helping the town navigate through some of the tumult that has occurred recently.
“Now is the time for critical thinking and professional communication,” he said. “As our team – the board members – pushes forward through this challenging time right now, (I’m) just looking forward to anything that comes to us.”
Donohue agreed.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, we’ve got some very important things on the table, and that’s the first thing we have to do, get in, get the big stuff out of the way so we can start working on some exciting things,” he said, specifically mentioning recreation and the fire department as focal points.
Trombley echoed the sentiments of her three fellow ballot-winners.
“It’sa beautiful day. It’s a fresh start. All of us are down to do our best for the town and for the residents,” she said. “Onward and upward.”
The election came in the wake of a number of topics that frustrated many voters, including the approval of the Saratoga Biochar Solutions factory in the Moreau Industrial Park and the way in which a sewer line along Route 9 will be paid for.