Supervisor Spotlight – Orangetown’s Teresa Kenny

Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny began her tenure as Town Supervisor in 2019, following 23 years of service as the Deputy Town Attorney. “I worked with four different supervisors, so I was in a…unique position to be able to walk in and not have to start and learn everything from scratch,” stated Kenny in a sit down interview with RCT that took place at the newly renovated Town Hall. “I’d like to say I took the best of each of them to make the best supervisor”. This dynamic way of thinking plays well into the multiple hats a Town Supervisor is required to don and the daily issues they tackle.

One of the most pressing issues in Kenny’s Orangetown is the housing crisis. Like most of Rockland, there is a need for both increased housing and increased affordable housing in Orangetown. Many young people cannot afford to live in the area and are relocating to less expensive locales, and much of the older population can either not afford to continue living in the area or cannot afford to downsize. Kenny states that one of the challenges with increasing housing is breaking down misconceptions around multifamily housing. “People think of New York City and skyscrapers and big tall buildings,” says Kenny. “We have [multifamily housing]. People don’t realize it, but we have plenty of condos…over 55, rental apartments. That’s multifamily”. Kenny sees a future that allows all kinds of people to inhabit Orangetown, and addresses that there are steps that need to be taken to ensure it’s done the right way. “It’s finding the right location…it’s doing it right, making sure there’s parking”, says Kenny. “But I think it can be done. I think, eventually, it will be done”. 

She recognizes town member’s resistance to seeing change in their home, but pushes back against stagnant thinking. Part of that effort is encouraging  younger  residents  to be an active member of their town government. “You need to come out and counter that voice that’s saying ‘No, we don’t want any change’…We need to bring out voices that say something different”. This active involvement looks like taking charge of one’s own education surrounding town board elections, town rulings, and of course, taking the time to vote.

One of Kenny’s foremost initiatives as Town Supervisor has been her efforts toward environmental protection. She has so far been successful with her initiatives, and in June of 2024 Orangetown received a bronze level certification with the Climate Smart Communities Program. This certification comes following programs Kenny has implemented, such as Orangetown’s food scrap recycling program, her placement of recycling bins throughout Pearl River, and the town’s collaboration with community solar. The community solar works both environmentally and economically, as Orangetown town residents who sign up save ten percent on their utility bills. Another major environmental upgrade that may be of news to many residents is Orangetown’s installation of multiple level two electric car chargers outside of Orangetown town hall, in Pearl River and in Sparkill. 

While Kenny is concerned with improving the quality of the environment, she is also dedicated to implementing ways for residents to get out and enjoy their environment. So far this has included an all inclusive playground for children of all abilities to enjoy, a dog park and a splash pad. In the future, Kenny hopes to have a community center and her biggest wish of all – “Dare I say, I’d love a pool”.

While a community pool may (for now) only exist in Kenny’s dreams, the Supervisor displays a vigor towards her projects that is sure to take the town of Orangetown far.