Millerton’s Stephen Waite returns as village trustee

MILLERTON — At the start of the meeting on Monday, June 19, Mayor Debbie Middlebrook appointed Stephen Waite to an open seat on the Village Board.

Waite previously served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 until this spring, when he decided not to run for re-election due to personal reasons. Waite said the experience had been very good and that he always tried to work with everyone regardless of their political affiliation, “as long as it helps move the business forward and better the community.” 

Waite focused on village recreation — both on and off the board. He said, however, the two-year commitment of being a trustee is challenging, which is why he initially decided not to run for re-election.

But following the elections, Middlebrook, who was a trustee, vacated her seat to become mayor. She asked Waite, who remained active in village life, to accept the appointment to fill her unexpired term.

“Having worked with Stephen, I knew he was dedicated to serving the community and believed he had been an asset to the board,” Middlebrook said. “Stephen brings many skills to the table including a devotion to the community, especially the recreation program for our youth. He is compassionate, hardworking and a strong communicator, assets that will enhance this board for the next year.”

At the June 19 meeting, the mayor said several appointments needed to be made. She appointed Waite, to serve for the remainder of her term, until April of 2018. 

Waite was sworn in and took the  oath of office last week. On his first night back, he said the transition was fairly seamless.

“Honestly, it was pretty easy,” he said, “because I know everybody on the board, so I was very familiar with the issues that were at stake.”