Chester board votes to put highway-superintendent appointment question on Nov. ballot after heated public hearing

The Town Board introduced Introductory Local Law 5 of 2026 to change the office of highway superintendent from an elected to an appointed position, and transmitted the proposition to the Board of Elections for the November 3, 2026 referendum.

Public comment was sharply divided. Supporters argued appointment would broaden the applicant pool, allow hiring by merit rather than popularity, and make it easier for the board to correct performance problems: "You want someone who's good at the job, not someone who's good at running for office," one commenter said. Opponents said voters should retain the right to choose the position and cautioned that appointment centralizes control with the board. Several speakers cited a recent conviction and personnel incident in the highway department as background to the debate.

Board members discussed term lengths and residency requirements; the draft local law would allow appointees who are Orange County residents (not necessarily town residents) and change the term length to two years under the proposed text. The board adopted the introductory local law subject to mandatory referendum; roll-call recorded Supervisor Holdrich and council members voting in favor, with one recorded 'No' and one abstention or absence in the transcript (recorded as 'Passes 3 0 1'). Voter approval in November would enact the change and eliminate the separate election for the highway superintendent in the intervening year.