NEVERSINK – Deputy Supervisor Ric Coombe Jr. invited resident and former chair of the Neversink Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Mike Dean to comment at the Neversink Town Board meeting to raise concerns about transparency, accountability and the circumstances surrounding the end of his service on the board.

Dean, who stated he was on the ZBA for 34 years, addressed the board regarding his removal as chair and the board’s decision not to reappoint him when his term expired. Dean said he had reapplied for an advertised alternate position but was unsure of the status of that application.

Dean told the board that his larger concern centered on what he described as false accusations made against him and the manner in which the decision was handled. He said he had submitted written materials and emails to town officials that he believes refute the claims that were cited when he was not reappointed.

“This board needs to look at that and consider it. If they think that’s okay, it’s not,” Dean stated. “When you make up bald-faced lies to do somebody out of a political position that I held for 34 years, that’s an issue.”

Dean stressed that he was not disputing the board’s authority to make appointment decisions, but objected to how the process unfolded. 

“I understand that you have that discretion,” Dean stated. “[But] the manner and the way you did it was disgraceful and disrespectful.”

During his remarks, Dean read from a letter dated December 3, 2025, that he said he sent to town officials requesting reconsideration for an alternate ZBA position. As he read in the letter, Dean stated he was “disappointed and disgusted” with the board’s decision and described the allegations against him as “unfounded and totally false.” He asked for help in clearing his name and said he provided documents from individuals involved to support his claims.

Dean also called on the town to address what he described as an ethics issue, asking whether the town had an ethics process in place and urging the board to take action.

Coombe responded by reiterating that appointment decisions are at the board’s discretion and that they do not comment on personnel matters. Councilperson Nicole Gorr stated her appreciation in having met with Dean previously alongside Councilperson Jim Schmidt, that they had reviewed the documents he submitted, and had not yet made a decision regarding the open ZBA alternate position.

“Rest assured, Jim and I heard you,” Gorr stressed. “We haven’t had a chance to talk about the ZBA position yet. That’s still outstanding as of this moment.”

McPhillips says Legislature looking to a ‘new start’; reflects on budget

Giving updates to the Town Board, District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips briefed members on the path ahead heading into the new year, expressing optimism for a fresh start. He cited the county’s recent budget process, which he described as “pretty hard,” though he said the Legislature made an effort to listen to all parties involved.

“We know how hard things are settling under the tax cap, [and] tried to do just a cost-of-living increase to the actual budget,” McPhillips said. “There’s going to be a lot more detail going into this year, [such as] salary positions or some of the projects that we’re trying to do, because we understand how tight things are.”

McPhillips acknowledged that the adopted budget was not as forward-thinking as legislators may have preferred, particularly in terms of exceeding the tax cap.

“Knowing that everything’s written, we try to take into consideration how to lead the county somewhat forward,” he said. “Maybe not at such a giant leap, but a more conservative approach.”