Castellano Named Southeast Super.
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By Holly Crocco
The Southeast Town Board voted unanimously Feb. 19 to appoint former Putnam County Legislator Joseph Castellano as the interim town supervisor, effective March 1. He will serve through Nov. 3, when a special election will be held to fill the seat throughout the remainder of the term.
According to the resolution confirming his appointment, the board found it “necessary and appropriate to fill the office of the supervisor with a qualified individual willing to devote full-time attention to the position.”
“I think we have a strong board made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds who are not driven by politics but what’s best for the Town of Southeast, despite what some may assume,” said Acting Supervisor Eric Larca. “Managing operations of the town requires experience, sound judgement, and a steady hand, especially during a transition period like this.”
Larca said Castellano is the most qualified person to lead the town through this interim period.
“He brings decades of public service and institutional knowledge to this role, including approximately 30 years with Westchester County, and service in a legislative capacity in Putnam County,” he said.
Castellano thanked the board for its support and said he looks forward to the opportunity to serve.
“I’ve been in government a long time,” he said. “I was a county legislator for 12 years, chairman for two years… I’m looking forward to working with this great group of people for the town. I’m looking forward to the challenges, and I’m ready to hit the bricks right away and hope for good stuff, and try to protect taxpayers the best I can.”
Castellano served on the Putnam County Legislature from 2013 to 2024, and also served eight years on the Southeast Zoning Board of Appeals.
He is filling the role vacated by former Supervisor Nick Durante, who announced his resignation at the Jan. 22 Southeast Town Board meeting.
Castellano will fill the role until the special election in November. The winner of that election will immediately enter office (not wait until January) and will have to run again in 2027, since that’s when Durante’s term would have expired.