Election 2025: Four seek 2 Lewisboro board seats, supervisor unchallenged

From left, Supervisor Tony Goncalves, Town Board member Mary Shah and challenger Julia Hadlock, Democrats. And Town Board member Andrea Rendo and challenger Adam Giardina, Republicans.

By THANE GRAUEL and NEAL RENTZ

Four people are seeking election to two seats on the Lewisboro Town Board in the Nov. 4 election, incumbent Mary Shah, a Democrat, incumbent Andrea Rendo, a Republican, and hopefuls Julia Hadlock, a Democrat, and Adam Giardina, a Republican. 

Supervisor Tony Gonçalves, a Democrat now in his second term, is unchallenged.

The election comes at a time when town government faces challenges, including finding new spaces for town offices, including the police department and Town Court, addressing water issues, including PFAS contamination, and land-use growing pains, such as waterside homes being rented through online marketplaces.

The Recorder asked those running for election about several such issues, and the reasons they’re running. Here are their answers, edited for clarity and length. 

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The Recorder: Why are you running for election/reelection?

Adam Giardina: My background in construction and development positions enable me to help address the town’s urgent infrastructure challenges. With several major projects in the near future — including the new police station, courthouse, and other future projects — our community needs experienced oversight to ensure these projects are completed efficiently, cost-effectively, and with long-term value in mind. With 40 years in the construction industry I can guide a maintenance plan to ensure that all the town facilities, including buildings and sports fields, are kept in good condition.

Julia Hadlock: Lewisboro is an amazing community, and I believe we all have a role to play in helping it continue to thrive. I’m running for Town Board because I want to represent the interests of my neighbors and ensure that we are working hard to implement the Comprehensive Plan — a community-driven roadmap that reflects their wishes and outlines key goals and priorities to guide our town’s future.

Our town supervisor has worked hard to secure grant funding for critical infrastructure projects, and he needs board members who are prepared to work collaboratively and make sound, timely decisions. I believe I can be that partner.

With years of experience leading complex organizations and serving in public roles, I’ve learned how to manage diverse interests, find common ground, and build consensus. I’ve successfully budgeted within a tax-cap environment and understand the challenges and responsibilities that come with municipal budgets — ensuring taxpayer dollars are used transparently and wisely.

My background in strategic planning, operations, and community engagement has prepared me to help the Town Board set thoughtful priorities and make balanced, forward-looking decisions.

I care deeply about Lewisboro and am committed to serving with integrity, accountability, and an open mind.

Andrea Rendo: Our board needs to strive harder toward a more common-sense and balanced approach to our local issues. For four years, I’ve had the honor of serving Lewisboro on the Town Board as a councilwoman. Through my service in that role, I have become intimately familiar with what Lewisboro needs. As town attorney in the town of Harrison, I bring a working knowledge of municipal law to address each issue as it arises. In addition, I’ve served on multiple appointed committees for Lewisboro and Westchester County, addressing matters ranging from law enforcement to affordable housing.

I’ve worked as a public and private attorney for nearly 35 years, representing primarily the indigent and underrepresented. I earned my undergraduate degree from SUNY Binghamton and my law degree from Albany Law School. My family and I have lived in South Salem for 20 years, where my husband, Todd, and I have raised our two children.

Mary Shah: I am liaison for the Advisory Council for People with Disabilities, Conservation Advisory Council, Emergency Management Committee, Human Resources Department, Library Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation, Thrive Coalition (drug use prevention/mental wellness), and Zoning Board of Appeals. 

I have upheld fiscal responsibility to create a budget that considers the needs of the town and its employees, providing facility improvements while remaining reasonable for the taxpayers. Many town roads are repaved, two playgrounds have been upgraded and one new structure installed, and there is more work to be done. We will have a new bathhouse for the town pool in the spring. We must protect our environment; it is our responsibility so future generations can enjoy it. The most important priority is connecting people with the community and the resources that they need. Everyone deserves to feel that they belong. I meet people where they are and, with respect, build connections so we can get things done. I make decisions based on facts and the thought that I serve all Lewisboro. 

If I have the honor to be reelected, I will continue the work that we have started. The town facilities work will continue: the renovations of the new building will be complete, and we need to build a new police department headquarters. We need a community center, with dedicated space for the senior citizens and where we can get together and focus on what we have in common. The structure may take time, but we host events to build community.

Tony Gonçalves: In my first two terms as supervisor, we have had many successes in terms of projects and initiatives which benefit the town. We are continuing with the momentum I have started and I would like to see through to completion of new projects and initiatives in the pipeline.    

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The Recorder: What’s your view of how the town is addressing the PFAS contamination situation in the Oakridge Water District? Would you do anything differently?

Hadlock: Since receiving federal funding in 2022, along with additional support from New York state through the Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs, the town has made steady progress toward bringing Oakridge’s drinking water into compliance. This has been a complex process requiring multiple layers of approval. Once the design for the upgraded treatment plant was approved by both local and state health departments, the town moved forward with implementation.

I believe the town has done a solid job managing this process, effectively partnering with multiple agencies. They selected a qualified engineering consultant and have been executing the project responsibly.

That said, there’s always room for improvement. One area that could be strengthened is communication. When a project has a long timeline, regularly updating residents can help alleviate concerns and reinforce that progress is being made.

Improving how information is presented on the town’s website would also be helpful. While there is a dedicated page for the Oakridge Water District under the Community section — with detailed documents available — adding clear summaries or progress updates in plain language would make it more accessible to residents. A broader redesign of the website to enhance usability would improve communication not only for this issue, but across all areas of town government.

Rendo: The town is addressing the PFAS concerns to the best of its ability, to the extent that it is actually addressing that challenge. Work is ongoing to complete the installation of the new system, but unfortunately, things do not move as quickly as anyone would like. That said, the new system is merely one portion of the problem. The town continues to get complaints from residents, including that occasionally their water is brown. These complaints usually come from the residents in the oldest part of Oakridge. Until the entire system is studied and a plan can be put together on how to bring the infrastructure into the modern age, these problems will continue. You cannot fix a broken arm with a Band-Aid. The reason the board will not take on this challenge in its totality is that the cost of such a study and potential comprehensive upgrade is expected to be considerable and can only be borne by the residents of the district. I have repeatedly suggested an alternative solution that could potentially reduce this financial burden to the district, but my request to investigate this idea properly and to discuss it further have been ignored.

Shah: As a current board member and candidate for reelection, I recognize the seriousness of the PFAS contamination in the Oakridge Water District and commend the town for its swift and responsible actions. The decision to shut down affected wells, secure federal and state funding, and invest in a granular activated carbon filtration system demonstrates a strong commitment to public health and environmental stewardship.

However, if reelected, I would advocate for the following enhancements:

— Improved transparency and communication. While quarterly testing and public notices are in place, I believe we can do more to proactively inform residents about water quality, project milestones, and health implications through regular updates and community forums.

— Expedited implementation. Given the health risks associated with PFAS, I would push for exploring ways to accelerate the construction timeline, possibly through additional funding or streamlined permitting processes.

— Long-term water safety strategy. Beyond the current upgrades, I support developing a comprehensive water safety plan that includes contingency measures, ongoing monitoring, and partnerships with environmental experts to ensure our water remains safe for generations to come.

I am committed to clean, safe drinking water and will continue to prioritize environmental health and infrastructure resilience.

Giardina: I have been closely examining the concerns surrounding the Oakridge Water District residents and believe the town should play a supportive role in helping them engage a qualified, professional water management company with a proven track record. The board has tried shortcuts in the past, with no success; shallow stopgap measures won’t work. By confronting this challenge head-on and digging deeper into this problem, we can help restore the confidence the board once had and move this situation in a positive direction for all residents involved.

Gonçalves: The Oakridge Water District will benefit from a major enhancement to its water treatment system to eliminate PFAS. Prior to becoming supervisor and while councilman, I took the lead on this project during the early stages of its conceptualization and development. We are now at the tail end of a multi-million dollar expansion which will provide significant improvement to the water quality beyond the elimination of PFAS.   The majority of the project cost is being paid for by federal and state grants. I am very satisfied at how we got to this point and would not do anything differently.  

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The Recorder: The town is moving some offices and the police headquarters from the former Lewisboro Elementary School because the Katonah-Lewisboro School District did not want to continue its lease with the town. Do you agree with the town’s current approach? Would you do anything differently?

Rendo: I agree that the purchase of 892 Route 35 was a good first step in meeting the needs of the town’s administrative offices. The building itself is already ADA-compliant and centrally located. It initially will house our court, planning, building, and assessor offices. My issue with the purchase, however, was that we likely overpaid and gave up an opportunity to negotiate a better purchase price. 

Had the council members been advised sooner of the impending termination of our lease, we could have started working on a plan further in advance without the urgency and resulting desperation. It just seems to be a regular occurrence that decisions requiring the Town Board to make decisions involving large amounts of taxpayer dollars or that affect our fund balance are always put off until the last minute, leaving us with a four-alarm fire on our hands.

Shah: I support the town’s proactive and thoughtful response to the Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s decision to end the lease at the former Lewisboro Elementary School. The purchase of the Route 35 building was a fiscally responsible move that ensures continuity of essential services while providing a long-term solution for our town offices.

I also appreciate the Town Board’s initiative to explore multiple options for relocating the police headquarters and court, including the possibility of building an annex to the Town House. These steps demonstrate a commitment to both cost-efficiency and community needs.

If reelected, I would advocate for:

— Enhanced community input. I believe residents should have a voice in shaping the future of our municipal facilities. Hosting public forums and surveys could help ensure that the final decisions reflect community priorities.

— Strategic long-term planning. While the immediate response has been strong, I would support developing a comprehensive facilities master plan that anticipates future growth and infrastructure needs, ensuring we don’t face similar challenges down the road.

— Exploring shared services. I would also explore opportunities for shared services or partnerships with neighboring towns or the school district to maximize resources and reduce costs.

Ultimately, this transition presents an opportunity to reimagine how our town delivers services and engages with residents. I’m committed to ensuring that we make the most of it.

Giardina: Sadly, the town has put itself in an impossible — not to mention needlessly expensive — position by not securing a long-term lease or owning a dedicated building to house our municipal facilities. Over the past few months, I’ve already been volunteering on a committee to help the town find solutions to moving our facilities in the most cost-effective way, and I’m encouraged by our progress.

Hadlock: I agree with the town’s approach to securing office space and believe the purchase of the building in Cross River was a smart first step toward developing a permanent solution for town offices, the police department, and the court. That said, important decisions still need to be made — particularly regarding the final locations for the police station and court.

As we move forward, it’s essential to evaluate how best to meet the needs of the community, support town staff, and plan for future growth.

I would recommend developing a master campus strategy to guide these decisions. A well-defined plan, with a clear timeline and vision, would help align priorities, improve communication with residents, and ensure resources are used efficiently. Additionally, careful planning around construction and cost projections will be critical for making smart, strategic borrowing decisions.

Gonçalves: One of my key criteria was to move away from paying rent.  After paying rent at two different locations for many years, I felt that the town should own the space for all town offices, police department and court.  Unfortunately, the options for commercial office space in Lewisboro are very slim. The building we ended up purchasing wasn’t available until early this year, and we are currently working to adapt it to support a pleasant workspace for our employees and court. In parallel, we have taken the preliminary steps to develop a concept plan for the police department headquarters on town-owned property.  What we are currently pursuing is the most fiscally sound way forward and with the least impact to our taxpaying residents.

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The Recorder: The Town Board has been discussing potential regulations for short-term residential rentals, such as Airbnb. Do you support legislation and if so, what should the law entail?

Shah: I support the Town Board’s efforts to thoughtfully regulate short-term rentals in Lewisboro. As these platforms grow in popularity, it’s essential that we strike a balance between preserving the character of our neighborhoods and respecting homeowners’ rights to responsibly rent their properties.

I believe legislation is necessary and should include:

— Clear definitions and permitting. Rentals under 30 days should be clearly defined and require permits with reasonable fees and renewal periods.

— Safety and health standards. Compliance with fire safety, egress plans, and emergency contact postings should be mandatory.

— Owner-occupancy requirement. To prevent commercial exploitation, short-term rentals should be limited to owner-occupied primary residences.

— Community protections. Occupancy limits, parking rules and neighbor notification requirements help maintain neighborhood integrity.

— Limit on rental days. Capping the number of rental days per year ensures that short-term rentals remain supplemental and do not replace long-term housing.

— Respect for HOAs and local infrastructure: HOA rules should take precedence, and town regulations should consider neighborhood density and road access.

If reelected, I would advocate for more affordable housing for our volunteer firefighters, EMTS, and paramedics, as well as those who work for the town. I also support leveraging state resources, such as the new Short-Term Rental Registry, to improve oversight and ensure compliance. 

Ultimately, our goal should be to protect the quality of life in Lewisboro while allowing residents to benefit from responsible short-term rentals.

Giardina: Short-term rentals are complicated and require a careful series of trade-offs to maximize benefits and minimize disadvantages for everyone. On the positive side, they can generate additional income for homeowners. However, they can also inconvenience long-term residents who have invested many years in our community; around the lake, some short-term rentals have turned into party houses, including in areas where the septic systems cannot support extra usage. To balance these competing interests, for example, short-term rentals in certain areas should require a minimum 30- or 90-day stay. This approach would encourage renters and homeowners alike to feel a greater sense of belonging and appreciation for the neighborhood.

Hadlock: I believe it’s important for the Town Board to first define the intended goals of any short-term rental legislation. Clarifying the objectives — whether they’re related to safety, neighborhood quality of life, or housing availability — will help determine whether new legislation is truly necessary.

Some concerns often associated with short-term rentals, such as noise, parking, and property maintenance, may already be addressed through existing building codes, noise ordinances and zoning regulations. In such cases, it may be more effective to focus on enforcing current codes rather than creating new ones.

I do think the town should evaluate the scale of short-term rentals in Lewisboro. With limited long-term rental housing available, it’s important to understand the impact of short-term rentals on the local housing market.

If the town does pursue legislation, I would support a registration requirement for all short-term rental properties. This could include verifying that the home’s septic system is properly maintained and that the number of guests corresponds with the system’s approved bedroom capacity.

Additionally, a fine for listing a short-term rental without registration could help ensure compliance and accountability.

Rendo: Typically, I am not a fan of piling additional regulations on our residents. In this case, however, some legislation is in order. I have met with a number of residents, particularly in our coveted lake communities, who have described some of their experiences with short-term rentals adjacent to their family homes. Some of these homes have been in their families for generations. To begin with, we need to look closely at a local registry for these types of rentals. In addition, we need to examine some restrictions on the length of stay. I think it is important to ask our residents, who will have to live with these rentals in their neighborhoods, for their input as well. We also need to be cognizant of the rights of all homeowners, including those who own these rentals. I think this issue gives rise to some important quality-of-life issues, including noise, parking, and septic use, that need to be seriously addressed with the appropriate local law.

Gonçalves: I support legislation that supports homeowners while protecting neighborhood character and the environment. We will need to make sure any legislation will not be a significant burden to the homeowner and will provide safety and zoning compliance, protect our environment including fragile lake ecology and limit proliferation. Short-term rentals will of course need to adhere to building codes.  

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The Recorder: What’s your view on the town’s current state of finances? How do you prioritize funding priority needs versus staying under the annual tax cap?

Giardina: The town needs to keep a strong reserve of money in the fund balance to allow for the cost of necessary projects on the horizon. We must maintain a strong bond rating for purposes of financing the cost of moving the police station, courthouse and town offices. We must examine all department budgets and plan accordingly to allow for the necessary expenditures that come with new facilities. For example, the town owns real estate that we need to redevelop and modernize to meet department needs. If we can’t upgrade what we need to upgrade on these existing properties, we need to acquire new ones and sell the existing real estate, using the proceeds to cushion the blow to taxpayers that would come from buying or building new facilities.

Hadlock: I believe the town supervisor has done an excellent job managing the town’s budget and finances, as reflected in our improved bond rating. It’s critical that we continue to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and approach any budget decisions with careful consideration.

My goal would be to prioritize staying within the state-mandated tax cap. If a budget proposal were to exceed the cap, there should be a clear and well-communicated justification for why the increase is necessary and how it serves the long-term interests of the community.

If elected to the Town Board, I would work to gain a deeper understanding of trends in the town’s expenses to better anticipate future needs. It’s also important that we regularly evaluate existing programs and services to ensure they are effective, efficient, and aligned with community priorities.

Rendo: First, a top priority is carefully respecting our fund balance. A healthy fund balance is how we maintain our bond rating and favorable interest rates; it’s also critical for front-ending expenses for grant-funded projects as well as for various infrastructure-related capital projects. We are obliged to weigh the advice of our financial advisors and our comptroller, who recommend establishing a long-term capital plan. As it stands, we have been using our fund balance haphazardly and on an ad hoc basis, without looking ahead to possible future projects that may prove necessary.

Second, staying close to the annual tax cap must always be the goal. If there is any consideration given to breaking the tax cap, it would have to be under circumstances that bring immediate benefits to the taxpayer. For instance, improving roads and town facilities, such as our parks and fields, would yield results that residents would feel right away. We also need to take into consideration the importance of paying to employ qualified and capable individuals by our town so that the town runs efficiently and the residents receive the benefits.

Shah: I believe the Town of Lewisboro is managing its finances responsibly, especially given the challenges of rising costs and aging infrastructure. The 2025 budget reflects a thoughtful compromise — meeting the state’s tax cap while still investing in critical areas like road maintenance and public safety. It is also reflected in our AA+ borrowing status from Standard & Poors.

As a board member, I supported increasing funding for road paving, which is one of the top concerns from residents. I also support the town’s efforts to plan for a new police headquarters, which is long overdue and essential for maintaining public safety standards.

If reelected, I would continue to prioritize:

— Strategic budgeting. Ensuring that every dollar spent aligns with community needs and long-term goals.

— Transparency and public input. Engaging residents in budget discussions to ensure their voices are heard.

— Smart use of surplus and grants. Minimizing reliance on reserves while aggressively pursuing state and federal funding opportunities, as we have already had $9 million in grants.

— Infrastructure investment. Addressing deferred maintenance and planning for future growth without compromising fiscal discipline.

Balancing service delivery with tax restraint is never easy, but I believe we can, and must, do both. 

Gonçalves: As chief fiscal officer for the town, I have to see that our finances are healthy. During my tenure as supervisor, we have successfully adopted three budgets that minimized the impact to the taxpayer by not exceeding the New York state tax cap. We have had an unprecedented amount of grants which helped us with funding important facilities improvements and capital purchases. In May of 2024 our S&P credit rating was upgraded to AA+ for the first time in many years. This upgrade enabled us to consolidate multiple bond anticipation notes into a single bond in 2024 at an attractive rate. For 2025 we utilized Fund Balance, which has been growing for several years, to offset our estimated 2025 budget, mainly the road paving line, enabling us to pave a large number of roads while not exceeding the 2025 tax cap.