Rye approves statewide search for comptroller, green-lights park bathhouse and accounting contracts

Rye’s Town Council on Oct. 16 adopted Local Law No. 1 of 2025 to remove the town residency requirement for the office of town comptroller, and approved two municipal contracts — one for renovation of the Rye Town Park bathhouse and another to continue outsourced accounting services.

The council opened a public hearing on the proposed change to the comptroller residency rule and heard no public speakers. Supervisor (speaker 1) said the town needs a “truly qualified” comptroller and described the local law as a way to expand the candidate pool beyond town boundaries. A council member (speaker 2) said they would prefer to hire someone from Rye if possible but supported allowing statewide applicants so the town could find a capable candidate: “I’d rather see somebody from the town, but we do have to have somebody that’s capable of doing Dave’s job,” the member said. The council closed the hearing and, after a roll-call vote, announced the ordinance was approved.

The council also approved a resolution authorizing the town to enter into a contract with Hobart Contracting, the low bidder, to perform the interior renovation of the Rye Town Park bathhouse. The Supervisor described the project background and noted the work is tied to two reimbursement grants the town received from Westchester County and the State of New York; because the grants are named to the town, the town must execute the contract with the contractor named as the low bidder.

On outsourcing, Debbie (speaker 4), who reviewed the accounting contract, said the town initially outsourced accounting services after the 2016 death of the prior controller and that the firm the town hired (formerly Mayer, Meyer, Justick) was acquired by Citrin Cooperman. She said the new master services agreement includes a revised scope of work and that the town plans to shift some tasks to in-house staff (naming an office assistant who will take on time-consuming tasks). Debbie estimated the contract represents a roughly 12–15% increase over the town’s current payments but is substantially lower than the firm’s original proposal after scope adjustments. The council moved and approved that agreement as well.

Federico, the town’s director of grounds and facilities, updated the council on Rye Town Park programming and operations. He reported private-event gross revenue is about $45,000 higher than last year while municipal-event revenue is about $24,000 lower, and said the park hosted roughly 125 more events this year. Federico also listed upcoming events including a trunk-or-treat and a holiday lights display scheduled for Dec. 6. The Receiver of Taxes announced that delinquent notices for the first school-tax installment will be mailed the next day and reminded residents of payment options; the clerk announced a mobile shredding event for Nov. 1 at town hall.

The measures on the comptroller residency and both contracts passed by roll call and were announced approved. The council adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Nov. 12, 2025.