NEW SCOTLAND — The town board recently appointed longtime resident Heather Dolin to the town’s zoning board, and newcomer Daniel Leinung to the planning board.

“I care about the town of New Scotland, the future, and the quality of life in the town,” Dolin told The Enterprise.

Dolin’s father, Thomas Dolin, retired as town supervisor in December. Heather Dolin refrained from entering local politics while he was in office, she said.

“It would have looked like nepotism,” she said.

Dolin grew up in Voorheesville and is self-employed in public relations and media. She previously worked in public affairs for the New York State Office of General Services. She returned to New Scotland from Los Angeles 11 years ago, she said, when her two boys entered school.

“I moved back because I wanted to raise my kids in a rural setting,” Dolin said, “where they could run outside and be safe.”

Dolin served on the board of the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation for 10 years, she said. Her children are now a senior and a junior in high school.

Dolin has also been an Albany County Democratic committeeperson for 10 years, she said.

“There are a bunch of us,” she said. “The town of New Scotland has many committee people.”

Dolin said that she has experience as a business manager.

“I feel like my judgment will serve me well,” she said.

The zoning board has five members who each serve a five-year term. Dolin replaced Robert Prentiss, whose term expired. The post pays $1,971.31 annually.

“I grew up watching my father as local servant,” Dolin said.

Asked if she thought her father had done a good job as supervisor, Dolin said, “I do, especially over the last few years.”

Dolin said that her father had worked to keep big-box development out of New Scotland.

“He’s been very responsive to what the community wants, and helping shape our community,” she said.

Newcomer

Daniel Leinung, 31, is an attorney for the New York State Senate. He and his wife, Kelly, moved to New Scotland a couple of years ago, he told The Enterprise. They have a 1-year-old son, Benjamin.

The couple purchased a home near a farm on Indian Fields Road in Feura Bush.

“We really liked the atmosphere,” Leinung said. “We wanted that lifestyle.”

He looked for ways to become involved in New Scotland, he said, and saw a notice on the town website for a planning board opening.

Leinung replaced longtime planning board member Robert Stapf. The post pays $2,248.36 per year.

“I wanted to maintain the character of the town,” he said.

Leinung has not held public office before.

“I’m a member of the New Scotland Democratic Committee,” he said.

Leinung previously worked for the state’s attorney general’s office in the environmental protection bureau.

“I am familiar with the issues that come before the planning board, especially environmental concerns,” he said.
Leinung joined the planning board, he said, “to know what’s going on in the town…and have a say in that.”