SOUTH FALLSBURG — The Town of Fallsburg opened 2026 with a full room and a new board lineup at its January 7 reorganizational meeting. Assembly Member Paula Kay, who represents the 100th District of the New York State Assembly, made the trip to South Fallsburg to swear in the newly-elected Town Board, including incoming Supervisor Nathan Steingart, who took his seat with visible support from family, town staff, and local residents in attendance.

Supervisor Nathan Steingart opened with a prepared statement that linked his public service to four generations of family ties in Fallsburg. Speaking plainly, he addressed the community directly before the board got to business.

“Thank you for being here tonight everyone. So sitting here tonight as a supervisor is deeply personal to me...My roots are here, my memories are here, and my commitment to this town comes from the heart,” Steingart said.

“I take this role seriously because this town means everything to me. Together with unity, respect, and care for one another, we could build a Fallsburg that honors this past and moves confidently into the future.”

Board shifts

Returning to the Board are former Supervisor Michael Bensimon, now serving as Councilmember after choosing not to seek re-election for the top seat, and Miranda Behan, who returns to her seat as Councilmember. Jeff Wiener was appointed as Deputy Supervisor.

The Board voted 3–1 to appoint Arnold Seletsky, the town’s former Parks Department head, to fill a one-year term on the Town Board. Bensimon cast the lone no vote.

Consent agenda

The meeting’s longest and most technical discussion centered around the consent agenda—a bundled vote on more than 60 items, including annual reappointments, resolutions, department heads, and liaison assignments.

Town Attorney Richard Baum explained that members could motion to modify or remove specific items. The Board first agreed to update the mileage reimbursement rate to 72.5 cents per mile.

Councilmember Bensimon then requested that multiple appointments and resolutions in the consent agenda be removed and voted on separately. However, without a second from another board member, the motion did not proceed.

Supervisor Steingart asked for clarification on how dissenting members could still register their views. Baum advised that abstentions or no votes could be placed on the record even within the broader consent vote.

Bensimon then formally stated during the meeting that he was opposed to several items in the consent agenda. Councilmember Miranda Behan also abstained from the consent agenda. Despite these objections, the full consent agenda passed with three votes in favor, one abstention, and individual objections noted for the record.

Steingart later said that although this meeting included a lengthy consent agenda, it was an exception due to the volume of items and the swearing-in ceremony.

Cole resignation

The Board also addressed the formal resignation of Ada E. Cole, who was elected in 2025 as a write-in candidate for Receiver of Taxes but never took office.

In a letter dated December 31, Cole said the town failed to provide basic resources for her to carry out the role, including an office, budget, and secure vault. She said town officials avoided her questions and that she was “being set up to fail.”

“No procedural steps were taken throughout 2025,” Cole wrote. “No money budgeted... no security, office equipment, telephone, cabinets with locks... and of most importance, a secure non-removable vault.”

“The ‘work’ was trying to get a straight answer,” Cole said. “I did not get any response other than I was being set up to fail.”

Supervisor Steingart said about her departure, he described the situation as “an unfortunate set of circumstances” and said Cole was “not a quitter” and someone who was troubled by the act of resigning. “There was a lot of dysfunction that was not her fault,” he said, adding that Cole was almost forced to resign due to issues beyond her control.

Among them, he cited the salary, the lack of appropriate workspace, and the scale of the job, which he said was underestimated. 

“It would’ve been a mistake for her to take it,” Steingart added. “It was just an unfortunate set of circumstances that put her in a bad position.”

“I appreciate her service. We appreciate her passion and intent,” he said.

The Board approved Paula Grogan to serve as Acting Receiver of Taxes.

Meeting schedule

The Board also confirmed a scheduling change for regular meetings, which will now take place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. This marks a shift from the previous schedule of Tuesday evenings, and years earlier, Mondays.