Local Government and Elected Offices

Below is an explanation of our local structure of government, as well as the issues that are important in Marbletown and Ulster County so you can make informed decisions. It’s at this local level that so much happens.

Town Board and Supervisor

Our government is headed by a five-person Town Council, also called Town Board. It is made up of four Council members who serve for four-year terms, and the Town Supervisor, who serves as the Chair of the Town Council along with other responsibilities. Terms are “staggered,” so two Town Board members are elected every other year. The Town Supervisor serves a four-year term.

  • The Town Board has law-making power for those laws that the NY State Constitution authorizes towns to adopt.

  • The Town Board also adopts the annual Town budget that allocates money among various departments and programs, including the Highway Department, the Transfer Station, Youth and Community Services programs, Planning and Zoning functions, and others.

  • The Town’s budget also determines the Town’s tax levy. This is the portion of the Town budget not paid by state or other aid money and which is passed on to property owners in the January tax bill.

  • The Town Supervisor also serves as the Town’s Budget Officer, keeping track of expenditures and the annual budget. The Town Board approves payment of all the Town’s bills.

  • The Town Board makes appointments to all of the Town’s boards and commissions, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Review, and others. These Boards have independent decision-making authority that cannot be overruled by the Town Board. The other boards and commissions, such as the Youth Commission, Environmental Conservation Commission, and others, have powers only to recommend.

County Legislator

Our County government consists of 23 County Legislators, a County Comptroller, and a County Executive, all of whom are elected. Its members serve two-year terms.

  • County Legislators serve as the law-making and budget-approving authority for County laws and budgets, and exercises power similar to a Town Board but at the County level.

The job requires knowledge of our Town, County and State laws, important local issues, an ability to listen and understand, common sense and good judgment. 

Town Justice

The Town of Marbletown has two Town Justices, who serve staggered four-year terms. 

Our Town Justices serve as judges in the Town Court, located at the Rondout Municipal Center.

The Town Court is the lowest of the courts in the New York State judicial hierarchy and is responsible for small claims matters, misdemeanors, violations, and certain felony cases.  The job requires an expert knowledge of the law and court legal procedure, in addition to the ability to always serve impartially and fairly.

Town Justices:

Hon. Claudia Davenport and Hon. Lawrence Menkes

Town Highway Superintendent

The Town’s Highway Superintendent is responsible for the maintenance of our town roads (not county or state-owned highways).  

  • The Highway Superintendent supervises the Town’s highway workers, who are members of the IBEW union.

  • The Highway Superintendent is responsible for developing and managing the annual repair and capital expenditure budget, an equipment maintenance and replacement program, a road maintenance and resurfacing program, and supervision of snow removal.

  • The job requires exceptional personnel, financial and technical management, and organizational skills.

Town Highway Superintendent: Lou Cardinale

Town Clerk

The Town Clerk is the custodian of the Town’s records and also serves as the Tax Collector of the tax levy approved by the Town Board. In the Town of Marbletown, the Town Clerk serves a four-year term and is elected. 

  • The Town Clerk issues municipal permits and ensures that the Town’s official records are properly archived.

  • The Town Clerk issues official and legal notices, including the transmission of laws adopted by the Town Board to the NYS Secretary of State.

  • The Town Clerk is responsible for birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Town Clerk: Heather Moody