1. The Underlying Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
In the underlying lawsuit, Plaintiff brings two causes of action for gender discrimination in violation of the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, as made actionable against Defendants by 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (See Compl. ¶¶ 44–45.) Each cause of action is predicated on Defendants’ treatment of Plaintiff as compared to their treatment of Plaintiff’s former male colleague, Walter Popailo (“Popailo”).

(See id.) Plaintiff’s first cause of action is based on her and Popailo’s allegedly comparable employment for the Town of Chester. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants, who made hiring and compensation decisions for the Town, (id. ¶ 11), failed “to properly title, compensate[,] and employ” her in comparison to Popailo, despite the fact that she and Popailo held similar roles and responsibilities, (id. ¶ 44).

In June 2014, the Town Board appointed Popailo to the part-time position of “Parks and Recreation Director.” (Id. ¶ 13.)

Streichert v. Town of Chester, New York et al, 7:2019cv07133 - Document 39 (S.D.N.Y. 2021) :: Justia

In June 2014, the Town Board appointed Popailo to the part-time position of “Parks and Recreation Director.” (Id. ¶ 13.) In July 2014, the Town Board voted to make Plaintiff the Town’s full-time “recreation coordinator.” (Id. ¶ 14.) Six months later, Plaintiff alleges, the Town Board was paying Popailo an annual salary of $36,235.60, while only paying her an hourly wage of $23.99. (Id. ¶¶ 16–17.) Plaintiff also alleges that the Town Board “did not list her as having any title” at this time. (Id. ¶ 17.)

2 In June 2015, the Town Board made Popailo’s position a full-time role, (id. ¶ 18), and, in January 2016, confirmed that Popailo would serve as full-time “Director of Parks and Recreation” with an annual salary of $55,000, (id. ¶ 19); meanwhile, however, the Town Board listed Plaintiff merely as “Park & Recreation Streichert,” with an hourly wage of $28.66 per hour, (id. ¶ 21).

Walter M. Popailo previously worked for the Town of Chester as director of parks and recreation, including in both part-time and full-time roles.

Councilman (To Fill Vacancy)

  * Ryan Wensley (R, C, I)* - 1,851 (83.30 percent)
  * Walter Popailo (Chester First) - 367 (16.52 percent)

Chester Election Results | Daily Voice

Receiver of Taxes

Vincent A. Maniscalco, Republican, Conservative: 1,532 votes.

Karen Lopusnak, Democrat, GSM: 864 votes.

Walter M. Popailo, ORF: 47 votes.

Superintendent of Highways (To fill a vacancy)

John J. Reilly III, Republican, Conservative: 1,575 votes.

Goshen and Chester election results

Walter previously ran unsuccessfully for a council seat and for receiver of taxes.

Goshen and Chester election results - The Chronicle

2026 New York General Election

As of October 22, 2026, Walter M. Popailo did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Walter M. Popailo

As of October 22, 2026, Walter M. Popailo’s website did not contain information on this issue.