Westerlo needs new board member

WESTERLO — After winning a seat on the town board last fall, Democratic newcomer Kristen Slaver is stepping down.
"I have resigned from the town board," said Slaver this week. "I have personal reasons for it."

Slaver will continue to serve as a member of the town’s planning board, a post she was appointed to last spring.

Westerlo Supervisor Richard Rapp, who also chairs the town’s Democratic Party, said the town board will soon appoint someone to serve until this fall, when an election will be held.

Slaver was not sworn into office when the town board held its re-organizational meeting, Rapp said.
"The job she does — there’s something with the Hatch Act," Rapp said.

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally-funded programs.
"I know a lot of people have had to step down because of the Hatch Act," said Rapp.

Earlier last year, Slaver was appointed to the town’s newly-formed planning board and, in the fall, made her first run for a seat on the town board. In her uncontested bid, Slaver received 437 votes. All Democratic candidates ran unopposed in Westerlo, a traditionally Democratic town that has seen just one Republican on its town board in decades.

This year, town board members will earn $7,250, and members of the planning board will earn $2,500.
Rapp said the town board would like to have a town board member appointed "as soon as we can."
"I would hope, at least, by the April meeting," he said.
To appoint a town board member, Rapp said, the town will advertise and interview candidates. Asked if the all-Democratic board would consider a candidate from another political party, Rapp said, "I’m sure that we would talk to anybody"Most people wouldn’t even talk. They’d just do it."