Jolicoeur Challenged by Gouldman for Put Valley Super
By Holly Crocco
For the position of Putnam Valley town supervisor, incumbent Alison Jolicoeur, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Bill Gouldman.
Alison Jolicoeur
Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur’s commitment to public service began long before she was elected last year (changes to New York’s local election cycle triggered another vote this year). In 2016, she founded Second Chance Foods alongside Martha Elder and Jean McGee, creating a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing food and getting it to people in need.
“As a wellness professional, I’ve also advocated for our community by supporting people’s health, and connection to themselves, one another, and the world around them,” she said. “Community service has always been at the heart of what I do.”
During her time in office, Jolicoeur said she’s focused on improving communication and transparency, meeting regularly with department heads, providing monthly newsletters, revitalizing the Commission of Lakes, advancing the town’s Comprehensive Plan, and strengthening the assessment office.
She said the town needs to make it easier to do business in Putnam Valley by simplifying the permitting process, making requirements and fees clear, and enabling electronic applications.
“As we update our Comprehensive Plan, we have an opportunity to support local businesses and responsible economic growth while protecting our rural character and natural resources,” said Jolicoeur. “That includes expanding outdoor recreation and enhancing our trails, which can attract visitors, support local businesses, and strengthen our local economy.”
Economic development doesn’t mean growth at any cost, said the supervisor. “It means smart, responsible planning that supports our small businesses, respects property rights, and protects what makes Putnam Valley special,” she said.
Along those lines, Jolicoeur said the town needs to work closely with the county to fill the gaps in transportation and mental health services that are available on the western side of Putnam – particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and families who need support.
“I will continue advocating for expanded transit options, including the proposed expansion of the Putnam on Demand service,” she said. “We may not control every service at the town level, but we can make sure Putnam Valley’s needs are heard and our residents are not overlooked.”
Jolicoeur said last summer’s flooding demonstrated how important it is to improve stormwater management.
“We need to identify vulnerable areas, prioritize repairs, and pursue every appropriate county, state, and federal grant and reimbursement available,” she said. “We’ve made real strides with our MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) mapping by bringing together a good team and hiring a new contractor to assist our highway department. This mapping is critical to understanding our stormwater systems and identifying problem areas.”
The supervisor said stormwater management will also be a major component of the Comprehensive Plan update, helping the town plan responsibly for its future.
“By working together with our highway department, engineers, environmental experts, and county and state partners, we can develop practical, long-term solutions to protect our infrastructure, waterways, and residents,” she said.
When it comes to keeping the town affordable, Jolicoeur said that while the town may not control every factor driving the cost of living, it can control how responsibly it manages taxpayer dollars.
“We need honest budgeting, realistic revenue projections, a close look at town operations to identify cost savings and eliminate waste, and to pursue grants and shared services wherever possible,” she said. “I inherited financial challenges that won’t be resolved overnight, but residents deserve transparency and accountability… My goal is to make responsible decisions today so we aren’t leaving bigger financial burdens for the next generation.”
Jolicoeur said she’s proud to have proven herself to be adaptable in rapidly changing times, even under challenging circumstances.
“Stepping into this role has required me to learn quickly, navigate new challenges, and find practical solutions,” she said. “I’m committed to serving our community and continuing to grow as a leader. My focus is on building trust, improving communication, protecting our rural character, and finding practical solutions to the challenges we face.”
Bill Gouldman
Putnam County Legislator Bill Gouldman has served on the county governing body for 12 years. Being elected for four three-year terms, he said he prides himself on being a dedicated, compassionate, and strong voice for the community.
He has served on the board of directors for a local American Red Cross chapter, been an active member of the local Rotary Club, a past member of the Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and is still active with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick.
The candidate said business development and success are vitally important to the town.
“For our community to thrive, we must support our existing small businesses and help them grow,” he said. “We are currently experiencing a cultural shift away from the daily commute into the city toward a work-from-home model. While this shift should naturally boost our local economy, we must ensure our physical infrastructure can support it.”
During his time on the Legislature, Gouldman said he has actively worked to improve infrastructure, specifically in the commercial district at Oregon Corners in Putnam Valley.
“I have supported the repaving of Peekskill Hollow Road and Oscawana Lake Road, advocated for the addition of sidewalks, and helped spearhead the transfer of the old sheriff’s department substation to the town to build a new parking lot, which will encourage more people to visit the area,” he said.
Moving forward, Gouldman said the town must address several critical needs in that district.
“Infrastructure upgrades are one,” he said. “We need to replace the local Oregon Sewer Pump Station, which has failed several times and must be updated before it breaks down completely. Second is safety and aesthetics. We must improve the street lighting throughout the area. Third is appropriate modernization. We need to have serious conversations with local landlords about modernizing their properties to better help businesses succeed.”
Gouldman said he has advocated and supported Putnam on Demand, which will start providing transportations services for Putnam Valley residents in January.
“I believe this will be a game-changer for our community,” he said. “We have many seniors, disabled, and young adults that are homebound because they have no way to get around. This will open up a new opportunity for them.”
He said the town has an opportunity now to bring county services to Putnam Valley.
“The PVVFD will be moving into their new firehouse soon,” he explained. “When that occurs, we will have an empty building. The way the budget is now, we do not have the money to retro-fit that building into anything, but we can work with our partners in the county, state, and federal government to help us to build and bring services over to the western side of the county.”
Some of those possibilities are a DMV, children and family services office, a mental health component, or a community center for youth and families, he explained.
Gouldman said the town’s current fiscal path is simply not sustainable for the hardworking families of Putnam Valley.
“A budget increase of over 7 percent is completely unaffordable, and draining nearly half of our fund balance to pay immediate bills is financially reckless,” he said. “It leaves us completely exposed to future emergencies and risks damaging our bond rating, which will make any future town borrowing significantly more expensive.”
To address the affordability crisis in Putnam Valley, he said the town cannot rely on temporary fixes.
“We need a dual-track strategy,” said Gouldman. “We must aggressively audit the town budget, eliminate unnecessary bloat, cut waste, and stop relying on emergency reserves for everyday costs… This isn’t just about balancing this one spreadsheet; it’s about our community’s survival. We must build Putnam Valley where our seniors can afford to stay in the homes they spent their lives building, and where our children can actually afford to settle down after they graduate.”
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