The Croton-on-Hudson Village Board gathered at the Municipal Building on Monday, December 2, not just to organize the government for the next two years, but to celebrate a community deeply engaged in its own democracy. The room was filled with residents, local Girl Scouts, and elected officials as the Board held its annual organizational meeting. The evening marked the official start of the new terms for Mayor Brian Pugh, Trustee Nora Nicholson, and newly elected Trustee Stacy Nachseller. "We know the challenges are real," said Nicholson, who was sworn in for her third term. "We face questions about affordability, infrastructure, environmental resilience, and how to preserve the character of our village while continuing to move forward." {{quote:542}} Narchseller, a newcomer to the Board but a known figure in local civic circles, ran on a platform of accessibility. "I campaigned on a constituent first platform with a commitment to listening and transparency," Nachseller said after taking her oath. "I'm very honored to serve and bring my unique skill set to the role." {{quote:718}} Her win, alongside Nicholson and Pugh, was part of a competitive election season that saw high voter turnout. Village Manager Bryan Healy read the official canvas of votes, confirming the margins. Pugh received 1,355 votes on the Democratic line, while his opponent, Gary Eisinger (Voice of Croton), received 1,612 votes. For the two trustee seats, the Democratic slate of Nicholson (1,386 votes) and Karen Pecora (1,260) were outpaced by the Voice of Croton slate of Nachseller (1,640 votes) and Nigel Rovello (1,529 votes). {{quote:1500}} However, under the mixed election results, the new board moved quickly to establish a collaborative tone. "To those of you who didn't vote for me, I want you to know that I'll be here to serve you as well," Nicholson told the crowd. "My goal is to work collaboratively, respectfully, and with the focus on what makes the best for the village as a whole." {{quote:606}} Mayor Pugh used the opportunity to highlight the village’s recent stability, citing the "triple A" bond rating and pedestrian safety achievements, while acknowledging the work left to do. He also took a moment to honor former Mayor Bob Elliott, who administered the oaths, crediting him with transformative projects like the Croton Landing park. "Mayor Elliott was one of the most consequential people in our village's history," Pugh said. {{quote:754}} Once the ceremonial oaths concluded, the Board shifted to the procedural business of the organization. They adopted standard policies required by state law, including updates to workplace violence prevention and sexual harassment policies. {{quote:2225}} A substantive discussion arose regarding the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Advisory Committee. The Board initially moved to accept the committee's composition, but Trustee Nicholson raised a concern about the one-year term limit for members, suggesting it limited the group's institutional memory. "I would suggest amending this to a two year term for this particular committee... just so that there is some overlap and memory retention," Nicholson proposed. {{quote:1797}} The Board agreed to table the exact list of appointments to their upcoming Wednesday work session to finalize the details of the term length change. The Board also finalized the schedule for regular meetings, keeping them on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and adopted a standard workday policy for village officials. Residents looking to serve will find that some committees still have openings. Mayor Pugh noted that while some commissions are fully staffed, others are seeking fresh voices. He emphasized that the success of the village relies on these volunteer roles. "We could not do without the support of our wonderful staff and also the many members of our volunteer boards and committees," Pugh said. "They are public servants in the truest sense of the word." {{quote:833}}