Outgoing Supervisors Staff Honored - Public Defender Salary Increase Opposed, All Increases Approved

DELHI - Delaware County Board of Supervisors held their final meeting for 2025. As the new year begins, two supervisors will be leaving, with new faces to appear in 2026. Andes Supervisor Wayland “Bud” Gladstone and Colchester Supervisor Arthur Merrill will both end their service as supervisors. Supervisors Chair Tina Molé honored the two at the Dec. 10 meeting.

Gladstone, who served as supervisor for the last ten years, will continue his service as a town councilmember. Before becoming a supervisor, Gladstone served as a council member for four years. Gladstone is a lifelong resident of Andes, where he and family operate a multigenerational farm. He will continue his role as president of the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) board of directors.

Molé noted Gladstone's years of advocacy for preserving agricultural land.

“A major part of our economy is agriculture,” said Gladstone. He further recognized the decrease in agricultural land throughout the county and noted that this trend is likely to continue. “This board needs to protect agriculture,” he recommended.

Gladstone was also honored for his time as the County representative on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County (CCE) board. CCE President Betty Scott said, “Personally, he has been a great asset to me on the board; I could not have gotten through the last few years without Gladstone.”

Merrill, who served as supervisor for the last 12 years, will leave a County Budget Officer position vacant - a position he held for eight years.

Molé noted his ability to support the county's financial success. She recognized the many building projects and renovations under Merrill’s guidance. “He was able to guide the county through these projects without burdening the county and taxpayers,” she said. Molé further noted the budget did not exceed the tax cap during Merrill’s time.

“Art’s efforts are far-reaching, his technique of learning and teaching so we can all excel together,” she concluded.

Merrill said the success is due to the hard-working county employees who keep things running.

In 2026, Ritchie Gabriel will take over as Andes supervisor, and Robert Hafele will serve Colchester.

Molé also honored Beverly Shields, who is retiring as county treasurer after over 30 years of service. She noted her ability to “balance our (the county) needs with what we could afford.”

“I loved helping people with tax issues,” said Shields. She further noted that she enjoyed guiding people through the complex process of avoiding tax foreclosure.

Carli Pinner was elected to serve as treasurer in 2026.

Salary Increases

In another discussion, supervisors approved several salary increases for county employees. However, Public Defender Joseph Ermeti’s $16,289 salary increase was opposed. Although the weighted vote of 153 to 32 ultimately ruled in Ermeti’s favor, Gladstone, Delhi Supervisor Maya Boukai, and Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield voted against it. The increase will raise the salary to $203,939, the last increase of $47,650 was in 2024.

“My decision was based on the numbers,” said Boukai, “Delaware County, with 45,000 residents and one of the poorest economies in the state, is already paying nearly the same salary as Rockland County, which serves seven times the amount of people. After a 90% salary increase since 2020, I could not justify an additional raise.”

Marshfield stated similar reasons, asking supervisors to consider its residents, who are paying for the salary increases. While agreeing with most of the adjustments, Marshfield provided several statistics on the needs of county residents, including programs like SNAP and daycare subsidies. The county has a poverty rate of about 14%, he noted, adding that nearly 50% of the population earns under $50,000 annually.

“As in other years, I voted no, for the reason that his salary, if not the highest, is one of the highest in the State of New York. Delaware County taxpayers cannot afford paying a $200,000 salary,” Marshfield said after the meeting.

“I just can’t support that salary with that position,” said Gladstone.

Other adjustments include:

Election Commissioner Judith Garrison, $65,208, a $5,208 increase.

Emergency Services Director Stephen Hood, $92,370, a $14,491 increase.

IT Director Joseph deMauro, $106,641, a $8,517 increase.

Office of the Aging Director Lyndsay Komosinski, $86,438, a $5,044 increase.

Personnel Officer Carrara Knoetgen, $101,892, a $5,674 increase.

Commissioner of Planning, Parks, and Watershed Affairs Shelly Johnson-Bennett, $130,175, a $4,848 increase.

Public Health Director Amanda Walsh, $123,433, a $2,991 increase.

Commissioner of Public Works James Thomas, $126,250, a $5,879 increase.

Director of Real Property Tax Sherri Falcone, $99,038, a $4,038 increase.

Commissioner of Social Services Keith Weaver, $117,838, a $6,328 increase.

Director Veterans Services Mark Dunlop, $69,228, a $13,383 increase.

County Clerk Haley Gransbury, $88,168, a $7,041 increase.

Other Business

Tax levies for special districts, highways, and general areas outside the village were set. A list of levies is available on the county website at delcony.us.

The county tax levy for 2026 was set at $37,629,318.50.

The county board meeting schedule for 2026 was approved, with two meetings scheduled in January, March, April, May, October, and November. Meetings are on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. The schedule is posted on the county website.

The organizational meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m.