Goshen residents press board at public hearing over abolishing elected tax receiver and proposed longer terms for town officers

The Town Board of Goshen heard more than two hours of public comment April 20 as residents debated a pair of related introductory local laws: one that would abolish the separate, elected receiver of taxes and extend the town clerk’s term from two to four years, and another package that would lengthen the terms of the town supervisor and the highway superintendent from two to four years.

The board opened public hearings for the measures and accepted public comment before formally closing the hearings; a roll-call recorded the board’s action to close the first hearing. Members signaled that the bills will go to referendum. The measures were the focus of extended comment from residents who said term length changes would reduce voters’ ability to hold officials accountable, and from the town’s elected tax receiver who described day-to-day duties she says are already being performed.

Why it matters: The proposals would alter how voters choose local executives and how the town delivers tax…