Castellano, Eckardt Face Off for Southeast Supervisor
By Holly Crocco
Interim Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano, a Republican, is being challenged by Lynne Eckardt, a Democrat, in the November election.
Joseph Castellano
Southeast Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano was appointed by the Town Board in February to serve in an interim role, after the former supervisor resigned. Prior to that, he served on the Zoning Board from 2004 to 2012 before being elected Putnam County legislator for District 7 in 2012. He served four terms, from 2013 to 2024 – including two years in which he was unanimously elected chairman by his peers.
“I have more than 30 years of public service and community involvement,” said Castellano. “I bring extensive experience in government administration, fiscal oversight, zoning, and local government.”
He began his career in 1996 with the Westchester County Clerk’s Office in the Legal Division. In 2010, he became program coordinator, overseeing the daily operations of the Legal Division with up to 30 employees.
“I have also served my community through numerous volunteer organizations and committees, including the Friends of Southeast Fireworks Committee and the Putnam County Veterans Medal Committee,” said Castellano. “I helped organize college scholarships for the Southeast Republican Committee and the Putnam County Italian American Social Club.”
When it comes to supporting local businesses, the supervisor said he will work to create an environment where they can grow, invest, and succeed while also protecting the interests of taxpayers.
“When appropriate, I will support targeted tax incentives through the Putnam County Industrial Development Agency’s PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) program to encourage responsible business investment and job creation,” he said. “I will also maintain an open dialogue with local business organizations, including the Brewster Rotary and Southeast Rotary, to better understand their needs and identify practical ways the town can help.
To encourage development that respects the town’s environment and character, he said Southeast must continue to have a clear and comprehensive plan for the future.
“Growth should be directed to appropriate areas of town while protecting our neighborhoods, open spaces, and the environment,” said Castellano. “I will support sensible development that follows clear standards for building design, setbacks, landscaping, signage, and overall site appearance.”
To make sure residents can still afford to live in Southeast, he said the town should allow a broader range of housing types in appropriate areas while maintaining responsible zoning and protecting neighborhood character.
“The town can also work with builders, property owners, and community partners to rehabilitate older homes and apartments and encourage the reuse of vacant or deteriorated properties,” said the supervisor. “By making better use of existing properties, we can create more housing opportunities without unnecessary expansion into undeveloped areas.”
A first-generation American, Castellano’s parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s and became citizens in 1994. He and his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth, purchased their home in Southeast in 1998, raising their two daughters in the Brewster Central School District.
“Southeast is not simply where we live, it is where we built our family, made lifelong friends, and became part of a community we are proud to call home,” he said. “I care deeply about preserving the qualities that make Southeast such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Lynne Eckardt
Lynne Eckardt is a former Southeast Town Board member (2012-20) and current member of the Planning Board, having been appointed in 2020. But her experience in public service dates back more than two decades.
From 2002 to 2011 she volunteered on the executive board of Concerned Residents of Southeast, from 2009 to 2011 she was an appointed member of the Southeast Architectural Board of Review, and since 2013 she has been a volunteer member of the advisory board for Putnam Community Action Partnership.
Eckardt said her goal on the Planning Board has been to increase the town’s commercial tax base without compromising quality of life.
“Our location, at the junction of (Interstate) 684 and 84, has made Southeast extremely desirable for commercial locations,” she said. “I’ve worked diligently with applicants and the public to improve both the aesthetics of new and repurposed buildings. My primary concern has always been to get the best project possible.”
Eckardt said the town needs to make the most of its assets and location without compromising its beauty and safety. “While commercial development is extremely important, our residents should always come first,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to achieve this balance on the Planning Board, Town Board, and as a resident of Southeast for the last 47 years.”
The candidate said consistency is the key to supporting development while protecting the town’s character and environment.
“Southeast has become very desirable for business, as our commercial codes are less stringent than much of Westchester County’s and our taxes are lower,” she said. “But some problems have occurred in Southeast because local zoning codes have been modified to accommodate businesses rather than our residents… Without strong enforcement, our codes mean nothing.”
Eckardt said Southeast does not have the same affordability crisis as neighboring communities in Westchester.
“In fact, we have over 230 approved affordable units for seniors,” she said. “And the Village of Brewster currently has over 40 affordable units for seniors.”
Young people are also encouraged to stay in Southeast, with accessory dwelling units now allowed in town code. “These units must comply with all zoning regulations and be added only to an owner-occupied property,” she said. “These dwelling units help alleviate housing availability and affordability.”
Eckardt said that while she is in favor of affordable rental units, they are not a long-term solution as they do not build generational wealth.
“We need to look toward the future and offer affordable home ownership,” she said. “This would keep our younger people in Southeast and raise our economic viability. Southeast could and should be on the cutting edge of responsible and affordable homeownership.”
As a 47-year resident of Southeast who raised a family in town and ran a local business for more than 20 years, Eckardt said she believes the town has more potential.
“I believe that our property values lag behind Westchester and since our homes are our greatest asset, I would like to see this change,” she said. “I’d like to see Southeast attract younger residents while not pushing out our older residents. Southeast is a great community that can become even greater and I will continue to be a part of this.”
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