Conklin Supervisor Debra Preston resigns; board accepts resignation ahead of county post

The Town Board of the Town of Conklin voted unanimously on Dec. 27 to accept with regret the resignation of Town Supervisor Debra A. Preston, effective Dec. 31, 2011, as Preston prepares to assume the office of Broome County Executive on Jan. 1, 2012.

Supervisor Preston told the board she is "enlarging her community and her family with the new position" and thanked residents and colleagues for their support during her tenure. Board members offered public praise: Town Attorney Mark Gorgos said Preston’s "gift was her passion to serve the people," and board members wished her well. Councilman James Finch added, "we appreciate what you’ve done." The swearing-in ceremony for her county office will take place at the State Office Building on Jan. 1, 2012.

Board members discussed next steps for the town office. Preston’s resignation triggers the process described in Town law: any board member who wishes to be appointed supervisor must first resign their board seat, after which the remaining board members would vote to appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2012. Attorney Mark Gorgos told the board that the adopted 2012 town budget sets the supervisor’s salary at $20,000 and cannot be changed by a board resolution this year; he advised that a change thereafter would require a local law and a public hearing. Councilman James Finch suggested reducing the incoming supervisor’s salary to $15,000, but board members noted legal and timing constraints. The Board did not take immediate action on succession or salary changes during the Dec. 27 meeting.

What happens next: Preston’s last official day as Town Supervisor is Dec. 31. The Board retains the legal options outlined at the meeting—appointment, special election request to the governor, or allowing the unexpired term to remain vacant until the November 2012 election—if no appointment majority is reached.