Amenia Town Board divided on filling vacant seat

AMENIA — Town Board members debated how to fill a seat that has been vacant since February 2025, ultimately tabling the discussion until a formal resolution can be considered at a future meeting.

The vacancy stems from the sudden death of Councilman Paul Winters in February 2025. Since then, the board has operated with four members instead of the prescribed five.

Members were divided on whether to appoint an interim councilmember or leave the seat empty until voters decide at the November election. The debate extended into public comment at the Thursday, Feb. 19, meeting, where some residents suggested holding a special election to fill the seat.

Councilman Walter Dietrich nominated resident Charlie Miller for the interim appointment, citing Miller’s history of service to the town.

Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm said any appointment would need to be formalized by resolution. The board voted 3–1 to table the matter until its next meeting on Thursday, March 5, when a resolution could be considered. Dietrich cast the lone vote against tabling the discussion.

Comments from residents included a suggestion for a special election, but officials said the cost of holding an election for what would be a short-term appointment would be impractical. Hamm noted that the seat will appear on the November ballot.

Another resident asked whether additional candidates might be considered for the interim appointment. Hamm recalled a similar vacancy in 2024 that became “unduly divisive,” saying she favors leaving the position unfilled until the election.

Councilwoman Vicki Doyle disagreed, arguing that a full board is necessary to manage the town’s workload.

“But we’re minus one person,” Doyle said, likening the situation to a basketball team trying to play with only four members instead of five.