It’s Reorganizing Time in Rockland

Towns all over the county are undergoing their reorganization meetings, and our only regret is we could not attend them all.

The Orangetown Town Hall was a patriotic affair to be sure, beginning with the red white and blue as Boy Scout Troop #55 and Cub Scout Pack #55 Color Guard presented the colors. U.S. Navy Veteran John Gray dutifully led the Pledge of Allegiance, and was followed up by a lovely rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”, sung  by Devon Fennel. Rev. Ravikiran Dasari delivered the opening invocation, and asked that God grant those in power the ability to work with those with differing opinions and to serve the people of the town to the best of their ability. It was a potent, refreshing prayer, delivered with sincerity and care. Sisters Kiera Hayes and Hannah Hayes performed “America the Beautiful”, their voices working together beautifully to breathe new life into the well-loved lyrics with their folk stylization.

 

The swearing in began with Honorable Judge Patrick J. Loftus administering the Oath of Office to Rosanna Sfraga, Town Clerk and to Richard C. Finning, Town Justice.

Sfraga then administered the Oath of Office to Supervisor Kenny and Town Councilmen Brian Donohue and Daniel Sullivan. 

Cheryl Dean Ward administered the Oath to James J. Dean, Superintendent of Highways. 

Supervisor Kenny asked Dean to confirm how many times he had been sworn in; this was his fifteenth ceremony. 

Rabbi Chaim Z. Ehrenreich from Chabad of the Nyacks, gave the benediction, praying for the leadership of Orangetown. Rabbi Ehrenreich closed out the benediction by sharing, “May the work undertaken here tonight, with God’s help, strengthen trust, promote justice and help this town, rich in history, continue to thrive and build strong foundations for the generations to follow in our footsteps…May this council and all the town leadership be blessed with productivity, respect and success. Amen.” 

Jim Dean gave a lovely, seemingly surprise speech, thanking the town board individually in a sweet moment. He followed up by thanking the Orangetown Highway Department for their dedication to the town and their continuous support. Finally, Dean thanked his wife of seven decades for her love and support. There may have been a tear or two, but whether that was from the audience or Dean cannot be confirmed. 

It was the kind of night that makes you proud to be a Rocklander. 

Following the emotional ceremony, the Esplanade of Palisades attorney and architect delivered a presentation focused on adding 53 independent living units to the grounds of the Esplanade of Palisades in addition to their assisted living facility. The hope with these two bedroom rental units is to increase housing for seniors who live in Orangetown or who would like to live in Orangetown, as well as foster integration between the independent living seniors and assisted living seniors. Those living in the independent living facility would be able to utilize the facilities offered by Esplanade at the assisted living facility.