Ashland Supervisor Resigning

ASHLAND - A sudden Letter of Resignation has been submitted by Ashland town supervisor Chris Hamilton, set to officially occur in two weeks.

Hamilton distributed the letter, dated September 5, to all Ashland officials at a town council meeting on September 14, also sharing it with neighboring government leaders.

“It was time to step back and be with my family,” Hamilton said in a followup text message, explaining the unexpected step down which comes with three months yet to go on his first term of office.

“This letter is to inform everyone, simultaneously, of my resignation as town supervisor effective September 30th at 11:59 p.m,” he wrote.

“My keys to the building will be left on [town administrative assistant Diane Cross’] desk prior to that time. My personal items (my scanner and picture) will be removed as well,” Hamilton stated.

“All access to my town-issued computer will cease at that time. All files will remain intact, as well as any projects I was working on, will be on there as well,” he stated.

Hamilton was elected supervisor in November, 2025, for a one-year term, succeeding longtime supervisor Richard Tompkins who retired from that post and was subsequently voted in as highway superintendent.

Hamilton had been chosen earlier that year by the local Republican Party as their candidate, winning a summer caucus by a 59 to 39 margin over Mark Skula, ultimately running unopposed.

He took office in January, 2026, and soon thereafter, reports began emerging of tensions arising within the council over multiple issues.

In the summer of 2026, seeking a fresh two-year term, Hamilton was again challenged by Skula at the GOP caucus, being defeated 67 to 15 in a stunning turnaround.

Hamilton, at that time said, “I shook hands with Mark and wish him nothing but the best. I will help him where I can” leading up to Skula’s expected victory this coming November, likewise running unopposed.

Hamilton, also at that time, seemed to hint at a possible attempted return to governance, saying, “I have a plan,” while not revealing any details.

Speculation arose, based on his statement, that he would initiate a write-in campaign although that did not come to fruition

Hamilton served as Event Committee chairman for the Greene County Volunteer Firefighters Association convention, hosted by Ashland on September 9-12, reportedly marked by visible in-house friction.

In his letter to town officials, Hamilton wrote: “A few things to keep in mind: 

“The budget needs to be done still, that should be worked on by [councilman Scott Tuttle] moving forward as he is the deputy supervisor. 

“I have not received any town office budgets outside of [code enforcement officer Don Schoenborn) and his did not change. Ambulance conversations also need to be had with our neighboring towns,” Hamilton wrote.

“NorDuch and the town have entered into a 3-year agreement for IT services. As of the date of this letter, the new website has not been launched but should be as soon as they receive final payment,” he wrote.

“A SharePoint has been setup for [deputy town clerk Heather Younes] and [town clerk Dawn Thorp] to drop meeting notes into so they can be uploaded easily. Thank you,” Hamilton wrote.

It is not known how the council will proceed over the next three months. They could name an interim supervisor that would not necessarily be required to be a current council member.

Tuttle, a longtime council member, can readily fill the gap. No regular board meetings are scheduled until their next monthly session on October 12.