Deputy Mayor Matthew J. LeBire, who has been acting mayor since Timmy J. Currier resigned, said section 3-312 of the village law, Filling of Positions and Vacancies by Election or Appointment, dictated how they manage the vacancy.

He said they asked those interested to submit a letter of interest and a resume for review.

“Five people have expressed interest, with three of those five submitting the two requested forms. I have to say that all three did a great job submitting material highlighting their experience and background. Anyone who has expressed interest or submitted documents should be commended for their engagement. Each of them brought their own experience and skills to the table, ”he said.

But, he said, Mr. Ahlfeld’s experience on the board and other roles he has played as a member of the community put him at the top of the list.

“Although each of them brought their own strengths, one of them stood out with considerable related experience. Tim Ahlfeld served on this board for eight years. While on the board he was involved in everything from contract negotiations, health insurance, the water and sewer committee, the street committee. It was convenient, ”said Mr. LeBire. “When he finished his last term as a trustee, he didn’t just disappear. He was almost immediately appointed to our local government reorganization task force.

“Unofficially,” he continued, “he was checking quite regularly how he could help, how things were going.”

He said he believed Mr. Ahlfeld would “serve well and appropriately as a bridge of some sort until residents have a say in the polls in November.”

Mr Ahlfeld, who attended the Zoom meeting on Tuesday, thanked the board for putting their faith and confidence in his ability to become mayor.

“This is not a position I take lightly. I will do my best and look forward to working with each of you, ”he said. “I would like to salute the efforts of the entire village council over the past few months, and in particular I would like to highlight, as I am sure council members would, the work of Deputy Mayor Matt LeBire, who has been extremely professional, reliable and respectful during this time of transition that we are going through. You did the work of a young man. You have big shoes, Matt. These will be big shoes to fill in when I start on May 1st. “

Mr Ahlfeld recalled how he mowed lawns for the village when he was at university and had several different jobs in the Department of Public Works.

“But what makes the village of Masséna special are the employees, and that includes the DPW, the police, the fire department, the administration and all the staff of the town hall. I have enormous respect for the work that they are doing and that they have accomplished during this time of transition. The citizens of Masséna have the same respect, and you continue to distinguish yourself as first-rate and high-caliber individuals, ”he said.

Mr Ahlfeld was nominated for a village council seat in 2010 and ran unopposed to succeed former administrator Joseph A. Macaulay, who stepped down to run as Democratic mayoral candidate. Mr Ahlfeld did not seek re-election in 2018 after eight years on the board and was replaced by current trustee Christine Winston.

The mayor’s seat became vacant on February 1, the effective date of Mr. Currier’s resignation following his arrest on December 1 for seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and failure to comply. to a police officer after MPs attempted to stop traffic on the mayor’s vehicle on Center Street.

Mr. Currier announced the next day that he would take time off from his seat as mayor, with Mr. LeBire looking after the day-to-day operations of the village. He announced his resignation on January 19. His term was due to expire on November 30, 2022.