Somers May Extend Supervisor’s Term To Four Years

SOMERS, N.Y. – The Somers Town Board is considering changing the term of the town supervisor from two years to four years and is looking for input on the idea.

“Every other council member is serving four years,” said Councilman Tom Garrity. The two-year supervisor’s term “is always a discussion point with people during election time.”

Councilman Richard Clinchy said, “Nobody who serves a two-year term enjoys running every two years. But that’s not a reason to change it. The question is whether it results in better government.

"The argument for it is that a longer term allows for better long-term planning and long-range thinking, and that’s a good reason to do it. The other side is, like the House of Representatives, it’s two years because the will of the people may call for a change.”

Councilman Rick Morrissey said, “For the supervisor to have to divert their attention every two years from running the town to having a re-election takes its toll. I think a four-year term would be beneficial to the town. We did it for the highway superintendent. I’d like to hear what the public has to say.”

At last week's board meeting, Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy asked Town Attorney Roland Baroni to explain the process of making the change.

“We’d have to draft a local law, which would be subject to a public hearing," Baroni explained. "In this instance, it would be subject to a mandatory referendum. If we had a public hearing in August and were able to pass the law that night, we might be able to get it in by September to the Board of Elections. Then it could be on the November ballot and be effective at the next election for supervisor.”

Garrity applauded the idea. “I can’t think of a better time, from a voting standpoint. One would assume that this November will be a pretty big turnout with the presidential election. So I think you’d get the truest sense from the people in the town of Somers.”

A motion was passed to extend the term of supervisor from two years to four years. The board agreed to put it on the agenda for an August public hearing.

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