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The heated race pits a charismatic incumbent who claims to have turned around the town’s financial hardship following the recession by holding down taxes and stimulating economic growth against a law enforcement retiree who has dedicated his life to public service.
Moroney worked as a police officer in Orangetown from 1994 to 2014, retiring with the rank of lieutenant. During his career he was cited for bravery and served on various advisory boards. He was also suspended for a week in 2009 after riding with another officer arrested on a drunken driving charge while they were vacationing in Florida. He was not charged.
Stewart, 50, takes credit for several budgets that came in under the tax cap, as well as new development and quality-of-life projects from bike trails to wastewater systems. Moroney, fighting hard to unseat Stewart, says credit belongs to the board’s four-member Republican majority.
"During my two terms, we have held property taxes under the New York state tax cap every year, brought in many new businesses (hotels, data centers, a supermarket) and stood firm against threats to our quality of life such as Anellotech, the United Water desalination plant, and the down-zoning of residential properties for commercial or industrial use," said Stewart.
Stewart has proposed reorganizing the town’s money-losing 27-hole Blue Hills Golf Course.
Moroney vows to hold down taxes and to bring in a developer for the former Rockland Psychiatric Center the town purchased for $5.95 million in 2003.
"I will work with the Town Board and our residents to modernize Orangetown's 60-year-old zoning laws," said Moroney. "I will to create a local economic development zone along Route 303 and work with county and state officials to bring businesses to offset the tax burden on homeowners."
Both candidates oppose the Anellotech expansion, which would bring manufacturing of hazardous materials by the biotech firm to residential neighborhoods in Pearl River.
In the race for Town Board, Republicans Thomas Morr and Paul Valentine are running for re-election against Democrats Gerald “Gerry” Bottari of Blauvelt and Chris Smith of Pearl River. Town Board members serve four-year terms.
Orangetown Town Clerk Charlotte E. Madigan, Town Justice Patrick J. Loftus, and Superintendent of Highways James J. Dean are running unopposed.
In other races..
PIERMONT
Mayor Christopher D. Sanders is running unopposed for a two-year term.
Village Trustees Mark W. Blomquist (D) and John A. Gallucci, Jr. (D) are running unopposed for a two-year term.
NYACK
Jennifer Laird White (D) is running unopposed for a two-year term for mayor. Marie T. Lorenzini (D), Douglas Reid Foster (D), and Joe Carlin (Nyack First) are running for two two-year trustee seats.
Robert S. Knoebel Jr. (D) is running unopposed for a four-year term as village justice.
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