Carmel Town Board Says Fifth Seat Will Stay Vacant
The Carmel Town Board reached a consensus Wednesday night to leave its fifth seat vacant for the remainder of the year. Voters will decide in November who will take over the seat next year.
The seat was vacated by Putnam County Legislator Anthony DiCarlo, who was voted onto the legislature last November. The town board had originally been against appointing someone to fill the seat for the remainder of the year but reconsidered at the urging of the town’s Republican committee.
Supervisor Ken Schmitt said he favored making an appointment, but council members Bob Ravallo and Suzi McDonough both said they were against it. By the time it got to Councilman Frank Lombardi, it was already clear those in favor of the appointment didn’t have the needed majority and Lombardi didn’t offer his opinion.
Ravallo’s term is also due to expire, and he said he has not yet decided if he will seek re-election. Two more contenders have emerged for the two seats, as Republican John Lupinacci and Democrat Pete Creegan, both Mahopac residents, have each said they will be running.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.