2026 New York General Election

I enjoy my job on the town board and think my involvement proves it. I am community-minded, and have lived and worked my whole life in Chester.

Chester candidate Cindy Smith

I have years of volunteer service for Little League as past-treasurer, St. Columba parish and its ladies auxiliary, helping the historical society, and as past-member of the Kiwanis Club.

Cindy Smith has lived in and worked in Chester all her life. She has volunteered with Little League, St. Columba parish and its ladies' auxiliary, the historical society, and the Kiwanis Club.

Chester candidate Cindy Smith - The Chronicle

As of October 22, 2026, Cindy Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

As the present recreation liaison, along with director Michelle Deshler, we have brought the recreation department to a new level. There are town-sponsored overnight trips and day trips open to all residents. I have followed procedure to add a hand railing to the exterior of the senior building and extra handicap parking.

Also going into 2020 is $5,000 for recreation equipment, and, with help of the town engineer, Al Fusco, and director Deshler, I have submitted a plan for an outdoor adult exercise park. This will be funded with a $150,000 grant.

Sought a handrail and additional accessible parking at the senior building.

Allocated $5,000 for recreation equipment.

Submitted a plan for an outdoor adult exercise park funded by a $150,000 grant.

- Sought a handrail and additional accessible parking at the senior building.
- Allocated $5,000 for recreation equipment.
- Submitted a plan for an outdoor adult exercise park funded by a $150,000 grant.

Public Services

With land preservation as a priority to me, I feel the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center and Knapp's View have been a plus for the community. I supported and pushed for the purchase of Knapp's View back in my early years on the town board. In two years Knapp's View will be paid off and forever open space for the residents of Chester.

Supervisor Robert Valentine and I met with the Greens developers and their attorney. At that time they stated if we don't give them what they want they will take us to court. Robert and I said, "Do what you feel you have to do, but the blueprints are what we are abiding to." To this day no houses are built.

Supported purchasing Knapp's View to preserve it as open space.

Said the town would adhere to approved blueprints for the Greens development despite developers' litigation threat.

- Supported purchasing Knapp's View to preserve it as open space.
- Said the town would adhere to approved blueprints for the Greens development despite developers' litigation threat.

Housing & Urban Development

As I look back there are many issues I have worked on: 24-hour police protection, implementing 24-hour animal control, upgrading ambulance services, the library committee, and any small problem. I'm the go-to board member.

Worked on 24-hour police protection, animal control, and ambulance service upgrades.

- Worked on 24-hour police protection, animal control, and ambulance service upgrades.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Cindy Smith

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Bluesky

Cindy Smith is from Chester, where she has lived and worked her whole life. She has volunteered with Little League, St. Columba parish and its ladies auxiliary, the historical society, and the Kiwanis Club.

Cindy currently serves as a council member for the Town of Chester.

Cindy Smith has lived and worked her whole life in Chester. She has volunteered with Little League, previously serving as treasurer, and with St. Columba Parish and its ladies' auxiliary, the historical society, and the Kiwanis Club.

Cindy Smith has volunteered with Little League, St. Columba parish and its ladies auxiliary, the historical society, and the Kiwanis Club, including as a past Little League treasurer.

Edward Krutsch

Buket Urgen

The board hired Becker part-time for $30,000 a year. Becker summed up his plan: “When I leave at the end of the year, my goal for the town is to have three operators to keep the town’s water districts running smoothly.”

Tom Becker named new first-ever part-time water administrator for Town of Chester

Thomas Becker was hired by the Town of Chester on a part-time basis.

Goshen and Chester election results - The Chronicle

Attendance
Town Clerk Zappala called the roll:
● Supervisor Holdridge: Present
● Council Member Becker: Present
● Council Member Cassara: Present
● Council Member Courtenay: Present

TOWN BOARD MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING - Meeting Minutes

Thomas serves on Chester's Town Board as a council member.

Discussion continued about billing mechanisms and rate structures, with the petition suggesting $14.25 per thousand gallons. Council Member Becker expressed concerns that this rate may be inadequate and emphasized wanting to cover costs through water rates rather than taxes.

Advocates covering water-system costs through water rates rather than taxes.

- Advocates covering water-system costs through water rates rather than taxes.

Council Member Becker addressed concerns about water saddles, explaining that approximately 150 problematic saddles were installed in the first phases under approval from a previous engineer, despite his objections at the time. The Town has since changed its code to require bronze saddles only. Current pressure testing has revealed six leaks in the first section, which were repaired.

Council Member Becker explained that after previous discussions about holding off on creating a cellular endpoint opt-out fee, the Water Department, and Clerk's office indicated this approach would not work effectively for their operations. They requested that an opt-out fee be established now. The issue currently affects about 30 meters in Lake Hill Farms that haven't been installed yet. Council Member Becker argued that without a fee, there's no enforcement mechanism, and if people opt out now without paying, they likely won't pay fees imposed in the future.

Becker says he hopes to continue the efforts he began as a town councilman. He particularly wants to create a new source of water for the Walton Lake Estates water district, as they have a history of issues such as high sodium levels and inadequate water capacity. Chester has five water districts: Fieldcrest, Lake Hill Farms, including parts of Windridge Complex; Sugar Loaf Hills, Surry Meadows and Walton Lake Estates.

Becker said he will review the certifications needed by both operators and arrange for the training required to create a safe working environment. He plans to work with the town’s current water operator, Chris Cox, on any issues that may arise within any of the town’s water districts while guiding the new water laborer, John Mardula, through the certification process.

Opposed to installing water saddles that he described as problematic during earlier water-system phases.

Advocates establishing a water-meter opt-out fee to provide an enforcement mechanism.

Wants to create a new water source for the Walton Lake Estates water district.

Plans to staff Chester’s water districts with three operators to keep them running smoothly.

Plans to review water-operator certifications and arrange training needed for a safe work environment.

- Opposed to installing water saddles that he described as problematic during earlier water-system phases.
- Advocates establishing a water-meter opt-out fee to provide an enforcement mechanism.
- Wants to create a new water source for the Walton Lake Estates water district.
- Plans to staff Chester’s water districts with three operators to keep them running smoothly.
- Plans to review water-operator certifications and arrange training needed for a safe work environment.

As of October 22, 2026, Thomas Becker did not have a website or any information online.

Thomas Becker

- Plans to staff Chester’s water districts with three operators to keep them running smoothly.
- Plans to review water-operator certifications and arrange training needed for a safe work environment.

As of October 22, 2026, Thomas Becker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Thomas Becker was appointed Water Administrator for the Town of Chester.

Thomas was listed as a Chester council member in a 2021 Orange County Board of Elections document.

Thomas Becker was hired part-time by the Town of Chester board.

Thomas has served as a town council member.

Thomas Becker worked part-time as water administrator for the Town of Chester.

Thomas previously served as a town council member.

Chester (Orange County) Town Council Member, District 2

Candidates (2)