Trustee Candidates Forum - October 9, 2025
Trustee candidates debate housing growth, public input and a community center
At the October 9, 2025 forum, four candidates differed on development and community space while proposing ways to improve public participation. Their discussion also covered term limits, inclusion and the village sign code.
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Housing growth, access to village decisions and places for young people to gather divided four trustee candidates at the League of Women Voters forum on October 9, 2025. Stacey Nachtaler, Nora Nicholson, Karen Pecora and Nigel Ravelo were competing for two seats. This account covers their positions during that campaign.
Nachtaler made a pause to reassess housing development her first priority, arguing that the village needed to examine the effects on infrastructure, parking and future finances. Nicholson emphasized financial stability and proposed expanding a part-time recreation position to provide more programs for teenagers.
Ravelo put transparency first, calling for residents to have information and influence before major decisions. Pecora identified support for small businesses as her leading priority, linking their success to the village’s character.
On a new housing survey, Nicholson supported gathering residents’ views as part of planning for the village’s future, including its gateway districts. Ravelo favored surveys and outside perspectives to check the village’s assumptions. Pecora supported a survey to hear residents’ concerns.
Nachtaler questioned spending on another survey without confidence that officials would act on its results.
Nachtaler wanted earlier agendas and more opportunity for residents to exchange views with trustees. Ravelo also called for agendas farther in advance, emphasizing participation before decisions as well as summaries afterward. Nicholson proposed clearer reports of meeting outcomes and exploring remote participation through Zoom. Pecora supported using technology to make meetings easier to attend.
For a community center, Nicholson suggested making better use of Gouveia Park and the municipal building, while improving access to Cortlandt’s existing facilities. Nicholson said transportation funding and a survey of young people’s interest would need to be addressed.
Ravelo favored a facility residents could reach on foot and questioned access to Gouveia Park. Nachtaler likewise preferred a location closer to the village’s center, criticizing the cost and accessibility of Gouveia as a solution. Pecora supported a community center and more activities shaped around what children wanted.
On term limits, Nachtaler and Ravelo supported the idea while stressing the need for more residents to prepare for public service. Nicholson saw merit in term limits but warned that municipal projects could take years and needed continuity. Pecora said her answer would depend on the limits proposed.
Pecora, Ravelo and Nicholson supported continuing the IDEA Advisory Committee’s work. Nicholson emphasized language access and accessibility alongside cultural events. Nachtaler questioned whether village committees adequately reflected the community’s demographic and political diversity.
On the IHRA definition of antisemitism, Pecora supported working with residents on language addressing their concerns. Nachtaler favored an amendment protecting criticism of Israeli government policy and advocacy for Palestinian rights, with continuing dialogue among residents and faith leaders. Nicholson supported seeking language both sides could embrace. Ravelo would revisit the issue if constituents and clergy sought it, otherwise leaving the adopted definition in place.
The village’s disputed sign enforcement also drew criticism. Nachtaler called for clearer rules and an independent investigation. Nicholson described the incident as regrettable and said the code needed revision with legal advice. Ravelo argued that officials should have sought a solution through direct conversation first. Pecora supported reviewing the code but did not believe officials had intended to suppress speech.
The forum adopted no policies or projects. Its exchanges, including candidates’ assertions about the village’s record, can be heard in the full October 9 recording.
Coverage of the Trustee Candidates Forum - October 9, 2025 meeting on 2025-10-09, Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY. · Read full transcript
Written by Matthew Broudy, publisher & responsible editor, croton.news. Read our editorial policy.
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