New Ramapo Board plods along

BY KATHY KAHN

A last second schedule change meant the Ramapo Local Development Corporation met 5:30 p.m. Monday evening, a half-hour before the Town of Ramapo’s 2018 Reorganization Meeting.

Town Supervisor Michael Specht announced two vacancies on the Ramapo LDC and said the board hoped to receive applications from two town residents. When an audience member asked out loud how to apply, Specht told him the board was not taking any public comments.

There also is a vacancy in the Town Board left by former interim supervisor and councilman and Yitzchok Ullman’s decision to take a new job as tax collector for the town, to the tune of a $155,000 annual salary.

Specht explained that the meeting the week before had allowed public input and there was no reason to have it again at Monday’s special meeting and reorganization. Regular who attend Town Board meetings are hoping, albeit skeptically, that the board will be more forthcoming with the taxpayers following the long reign of Christopher St. Lawrence and his downfall ending in federal prison.

Specht ran for the position on a promise to restore dignity and due diligence –not to mention transparency—to all the people of Ramapo.

Democratic Party Chairwoman and stalwart St. Lawrence ally Mona Montal is still firmly embedded in Town Hall. Montal addressed the board at Monday’s meeting.

Correction– Mona Montal is not the town’s finance director as the original report stated

  Michael Specht, ramapo ldc, Ramapo Local Development Corporation