By LOHR McKINSTRY
ELIZABETHTOWN — History was made Monday when Jay Supervisor Randy Douglas became the first Democrat in 35 years to be elected chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.
Douglas was unanimously elected chair for 2010 during the board's annual organizational meeting at the Old County Courthouse.
FISCAL PRESSURE
In his address after being sworn in as chairman, he said Essex County is facing the same shrinking revenues and rising debt as other counties in the state.
"We must find ways to operate less expensively. We need to increase recycling, reduce paper duplications and research the possibility of solar power being utilized at county-owned facilities."
He said the county should investigate the use of the state's Quick Chill Program, which produces pre-packaged frozen meals that can be boiled in water and served. The inexpensive meals could be used at the County Jail, Horace Nye Nursing Home and other sites, he said.
NURSING HOME
He also talked about the Nursing Home's monetary drain on county coffers.
"The financial burden the Horace Nye Nursing Home has placed on the county budget is not sustainable. The county cannot continue to operate with a $4 million shortfall annually."
He said the Horace Nye Task Force is charged with looking at ways to privatize or reduce costs at the facility.
ASSIGNMENTS
Douglas said supervisors have been assigned to county committees for 2010 "where I believe they can best serve Essex County's needs."
Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah), who had originally challenged Douglas for the chairman's post, said he conceded the election to Douglas because they both had nine supervisors who said they were willing to vote for them.
Scozzafava said he hadn't asked for any concessions for withdrawing and apparently didn't get any — the veteran supervisor is listed to chair only the Sales Tax Subcommittee in the New Year, which meets only rarely.
He had chaired the powerful County Finance Committee, which will now be helmed by Supervisor Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand).
OTIS BRIDGE
In his address, Douglas indicated there might be some reconciliation over the Otis Bridge controversy in Elizabethtown's New Russia hamlet.
The county has moved forward with plans to replace the historic single-lane bridge there despite opposition from neighbors and most seasonal camp owners on the other side. Replacement of the bridge had been requested by owners of woodlands so they could log their property.
Douglas said he would ask the Public Works Committee "to work on a possible compromise with regard to Otis Bridge. Hopefully, a resolution can be reached so that this matter can be kept out of the costly court system."
Otis Bridge neighbor Margaret Bartley, who successfully sued the county to compel a full environmental impact report on the project, said she was always willing to discuss compromise.
"We've been asking for seven years to sit down and discuss a compromise," she said after the meeting. "We'd be happy to meet with them."
DA SWORN IN
Douglas is the first Democrat to chair the board since former Westport Supervisor Wally Huchro in 1974 and 1975.
Also sworn in Monday was new District Attorney Kristy Sprague and four new supervisors. Sharon Boisen (I-Essex), Debra Malaney (R-Ticonderoga), Sue Montgomery Corey (D-Minerva) and Bethany Kosmider (D-Crown Point) were all elected in November.
Their election leaves the board with 10 Republicans, six Democrats and two independents.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
