Irvington Mayor Erin Malloy resigned on November 7.
The following is her letter of resignation, taken directly from the Irvingtonny.gov website.
To the Board of Trustees:
It is with regret that I offer my resignation from my duties as Mayor of the Village of Irvington. As you know, our daughter Mairin’s recent accident and the long road she faces in recovery have prevented me from participating in the governance of the Village. It is clear that this situation will continue for some time. I resign not because the work of the Board of Trustees seems insignificant, but rather because I am convinced of its importance and I cannot give the time and dedication that our Village deserves from its officials. There are challenges before the Board that should not be put off because of my personal situation. While there is deep sorrow in this act, I do so with the confirmed knowledge that our Village will continue to be well-served by my trustee colleagues and by the fine women and men on staff and in volunteer capacities throughout the Village.
I am hopeful that no matter what other assessments are made of my tenure on the Board of Trustees, that the citizens of Irvington will know that I have worked diligently on their behalf and have tried hard to stay true to the guiding principals of open and responsive government that led me to my interest in service.
I have been truly honored to have had the privilege to serve Irvington, an honor felt most deeply as I think over these last terrible weeks. Each member of our family has been the recipient of such an outpouring of love and prayers from this fine community. The support from our neighbors started the day of Mairin’s accident and continues daily in ways large and small. My husband Bob, our children Aidan and Deirdre and I humbly and sincerely thank you. Our beautiful, gifted daughter Mairin will reward us all with her recovery. I leave only this office; Irvington is an indelible part of our lives now and always.
Sincerely, Erin Malloy
Nikki Coddington has assumed the position of Deputy Mayor. Ms. Coddington reportedly is not seeking re-election in March 2009.
Irvington also faces another important issue. With lowering assessables, a decrease in mortgage tax revenues, and a slippage in building permit revenue, Irvington’s Village Administrator and Treasurer have projected an 8% increase in Village taxes for the 2009-2010 budget. As a result, the Board of Trustees has taken steps to minimize tax burdens on residents. At the Board’s November 3rd meeting, Administrator Larry Schopfer and Treasurer Brenda Jeselnik put forth a plan to save $340,073 from the current 2008-2009 budget. The plan was unanimously approved by the Board.
Five areas within the current Village budget have been targeted for cost savings. The Department of Public Works will reflect a $71,573 decrease in spending due to a restructuring of sanitation and recycling operations. "There will be no decrease in service," Schopfer was quick to point out. Recycling will be moved to Wednesdays, a program that was originally to begin on January 1. Recycling will be performed by all garbage trucks. In addition, some equipment within the DPW is being sold and, as a result, there will be lower maintenance costs. Overtime for employees will be lowered and new hires will be brought on at lower salaries than the personnel they replace.
Within the Irvington Police Department, $65,000 will be saved from the current budget. This is also a function of hiring new officers at a lower salary than those leaving or retiring. The Parks and Recreation Department has scaled back by $58,500. A position in the Department has not been filled and will not be at this juncture. The Village will also see a savings of $65,000 for medical insurance and $80,000 in retirement costs. Medical policy rates rose 7.7 percent and not 10 percent as projected. New York State retirement rates were also lower than what had been budgeted for. Larry Schopfer was quick to point out, however, that future retirement costs may indeed be higher and that is something the Village has no control over.
"Residents will not see any lessening of services as a result of these savings," Schopfer said. The decisive action of elected officials, along with the vigilance of the Village Administrator and Treasurer, can and will be quantified to lower the projected tax increase for the coming year.
