Long-Time Conesville Supervisor Federice Not Running for Reelection

CONESVILLE —After 13 years as Town of Conesville Supervisor and Schoharie County Board of Supervisors member— seven as Chairman— Bill Federice has decided it's time to do something else.

Federice confirmed in a recent email to this newspaper that he's not running for reelection this year, and so his time on both the town and county board will soon come to a close.

"I have declined the nomination of my party (Republican) to run for another term," Federice wrote in the email. "The main reason I decided to move on to another phase is that I believe after thirteen years in office as Town Supervisor, seven of those years as Chairman of the [county] Board of Supervisors, I plan to consider new challenges professionally or perhaps in some other public service capacity. I may be 72 years of age, but I am not ready for a quiet retirement."

Federice continued that he will look back on his public service to the town and county with fondness.

"I am particularly proud that I was responsible for securing several million dollars for over thirty housing units for eligible Conesville residents to obtain much needed grants for home improvement and in several cases, a house replacement grant," he stated.

"But, the greatest accomplishment I am most proud of is that in my capacity as County Chairman, I tasked a special committee to study our failing EMS system in multiple towns, including Conesville, which resulted in the establishment of the Schoharie County ambulance system which now has authorized staffing of 19 full-time and 11 part-time Paramedics, three ambulances and three Medic fly cars to augment local ambulance service which no question about it, has improved response times and saved lives, including in the Town of Conesville, which was at a low point in terms of servicing the emergency medical needs of our's at that time."

Federice continued: "I am also proud of the fact that I led the case for towns and villages to receive a greater share of the allocated sales tax revenues resulting in a 60 percent increase to the towns and villages, including Conesville, replacing some of the tax levy burden.

"My one regret is that the housing shortage in the county, including Conesville, continues. If we do not address this problem, I fear it will impact any chance of major economic improvement and continue the flight of many of our young persons away from here."

Schoharie County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairman Donald Airey, the Town Supervisor in Blenheim, had profound and expansive praise for Federice in an email to this newspaper.

"The loss of Bill serving on the county board will be truly felt," Airey wrote. "Many forget that not only did Bill serve as Chairman of the Board (Federice is currently the Chairman) but also served as the de facto County Administrator for several years, concurrently. That was a huge effort on Bill's part and that effort should not be overlooked.

"In both cases as Chair of the Board and de facto Administrator, Bill forwarded several projects for county action. Moreover, Bill raised the bar as county board Chairman to a new and more highly engaged level that should never go unnoticed. Subsequently, Schoharie County greatly benefited by his engagement at both the state and agency levels, but also with SUNY Cobleskill."

Federice deserves a lot of credit for his efforts on several other fronts, Airey continued.

"Bill supported and assisted efforts to gain fair and equitable renewable energy taxation, not just for Schoharie County but for the host communities across the entire upstate region," Airey wrote. "That required vision on Bill's part. Additionally, Bill exhibited confidence in me as Chair of the Hydro Committee to seek an equitable and successful end to the EWP Streambank Project after many years that included $6M in funding for the county, contractor settlements and other related expense recovery. All of this possible only because of Bill's proactive approach, confidence and unwavering commitment.

"The responsibilities Bill oversees (as county BOS Chairman) go largely unnoticed. But these responsibilities are very demanding and occur on an everyday basis. It is a thankless position but one of great importance. Bill performed those duties without hesitation and absent complaint."

Airey concluded "I will miss Bill's engagement on issues. It was never too early or too late to call for consultation. I will always be grateful to Bill for providing me the opportunity to serve as Vice-Chair (of county BOS) despite some resistance on the part of other politicians that Bill had to overcome and take criticism for. He remained steadfast.

"I thank Bill for all he has done for his town and Schoharie County. His absence will be felt by all and I wish him only the best as he enters a new chapter in his life that will provide the opportunity for personal free time and flexibility that simply does not exist while serving in the public sector for all these years, especially if one were doing their job. Bill always did his job. Schoharie County and the Town of Conesville will be less for his absence as an experienced leader."

Photo: Bill Federice presides over a recent Town of Conesville meeting.