Deputy supervisor recommends and board appoints Greg Paye to vacant Malone board seat

Deputy Supervisor Andrea Stewart moved on Feb. 25 to appoint Malone resident Gregory (Greg) Paye to the town board's vacant seat and the board approved the appointment by unanimous vote.

Stewart prefaced her motion with a detailed account of prior vacancy procedures and legal constraints, explaining why she believed an appointment was appropriate for the short term and recounting previous resignations and retirements. At the end of her remarks she said, "I would like to make a motion to appoint Greg Paye to the vacant board seat." The board adopted Resolution 63-2026 with a 4-0 vote.

Councilor Jason Marlow thanked the applicants who submitted letters of intent and said he appreciated the candidates who went through interviews. Supervisor Terry Maguire reiterated that he did not want to give any candidate an unfair advantage and noted that Mr. Paye "stated that he would not be running in the fall," according to the meeting record. Councilor Brian Taylor and others expressed appreciation for the interview process.

During public comment Kaitlin Parker, who identified herself as a town resident, said she appreciated filling the fifth board seat but added that "the town board is now no longer bipartisan. People feel like their votes are being disregarded and they're not being listened to." The minutes record no formal response to that comment beyond board members encouraging participation in the upcoming election cycle.

The appointment is an interim action to fill a vacancy until the fall elections; the board noted two seats will appear on the ballot in November to complete terms, at which point voters will choose who will serve. The board adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.