To the editor:

I’m pleased to support Kristen Burke and Maura Curtin, who are running for reelection to the Pelham Town Council.

Some Pelhamites might not be familiar with the town council, since many of the functions of our two villages are carried out by each village’s board of trustees. But the town council has a lot of important responsibilities as well, including property assessment and taxing, the recreation department, our beloved library, the court system and our ambulance service. It’s important to have experienced, knowledgeable people working on these issues, none of which is partisan but all of which affect residents directly.

Burke and Curtin have spent their first four-year terms working diligently on these issues, looking for efficiencies and making sure Pelham residents get better and expanded services. For example, Burke, Curtin and the rest of the town council helped secure close to $1 million in grants for new emergency vehicles and capital projects, contracted with Eastchester to provide a dedicated ambulance service to the town, increased services for Pelham youth and seniors through the recreation department and library, and launched a new website to meet ADA requirements and increase transparency. Burke’s focus on legal affairs and the courts helped produce an employee code of conduct, a revised constable handbook and sexual harassment training. She also led the town’s sustainability efforts. Curtin has used her productive relationships with elected officials across the area to drive political and financial support for town initiatives, like the $280,000 state grant to upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms at the Daronco Townhouse.

Pelham is fortunate to have Burke and Curtin’s experience, focus and energy on the council. I’d like to keep their experience working for the town, so I’m voting for Kristen Burke and Maura Curtin for town council on Nov. 7.

Joe Marty

275 Highbrook Ave.