Philipstown Town Board Welcomes Newest Member, Councilman Richard Shea

Town Councilman Richard Shea, accompanied by his family, is sworn into office on January 1st by Town Clerk Don McGrath

On January 1, members of the Philipstown Town Board welcomed in not only the New Year, but a new colleague as well, Councilman Richard Shea.

At a brief noontime ceremony held at the VFW building in Cold Spring, Democrat Shea was sworn in as Councilman for a two-year term, replacing Republican Ed Engelbride on the Town Board. Democrat incumbents Supervisor William Mazzuca and Councilwoman Betty Budney were also sworn in, with Town Clerk Donald McGrath administering the oaths of office. The five member Philipstown Town Board is now entirely made up of Democrats.

McGrath praised Philipstown Town Supervisor Mazzuca before swearing him in for his fourth term, calling him "an individual whom I respect very much." Added McGrath, "[Mazzuca]’s faced some hot issues with the Town…and he’s always stepped up to these issues and resolved them in a fair and equitable manner for the Philipstown community."

McGrath reminded those gathered that Councilwoman Budney was the first woman elected to the Town Board, in 1988. Before swearing her in, McGrath commended the Councilwoman’s work as liaison between the Town and the County on the E-911 project, and organizing and coordinating the Townwide cleanups.

Before administering the oath of office to Richard Shea, Town Clerk McGrath praised the "family tradition of service to the Community" in the new Councilman’s background. Shea’s grandfather, Joseph Leahy, Sr. served as Town Supervisor, Assessor and Highway Department Superintendent. Shea’s uncle, Terry Leahy also served as Town Supervisor, and was a Town Councilman and Cold Spring Village Trustee.

Shea served as Caretaker of Little Stony Point for 10 years, and was a member of the Steering Committee for Philipstown 2020. "Shea believes it is essential to protect the environment while engaging in suitable development in the community," said McGrath.

In speaking with the PCN&R after his swearing-in, Shea said he was "excited and looking forward" to his tenure as Councilman. Councilman Shea, who lives in North Highlands with his wife Karen and three children, confirmed that responsible development would be one of his chief concerns.

"One thing I’ve already received calls about is development on Lake Valhalla," said Shea. "It’s one of the largest tracts in Philipstown, and could have a really big impact if not done right."

Shea himself is in the construction trade, and has been building homes in the area for several years. "I’m a builder," he says proudly, but adds that developers looking at Philipstown should "do their homework" regarding what the community wants. Shea sees development of the Town’s large tracts as crucial to the Town’s future. "I want to make sure things are monitored very closely," he said.

Shea acknowledges that Philipstown may face increased pressure for development in the coming years. "Look at Fishkill – it’s really booming there," said Shea. "Look over at Carmel, Mahopac, Brewster – the same thing. We’ve been spared a lot of that." Added Shea, "That kind of development is not appropriate for this area."