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.

2026 New York General Election

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.

Economy

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.

Public Services

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

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Thomas Becker

Draft Town Board Meeting — March 8, 2023 (Chester, NY)

- 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.

Supervisor Valentine stated that Tom Becker has graciously offered his assistance as Water Administrator for the Town. He is an expert in water and holds that licensing necessary to keep the Town in compliance as well as knowing the Health Department mechanics and Town issues. The salary would be paid for by the Town’s five water districts. ON A MOTION OFFERED BY Councilman Holdridge and second by Councilman Courtenay to appoint Tom Becker as Water Administrator for a maximum duration of nine months at a prorated salary of $30,000 per annum.

2022 Reorganization Meeting (Town of Chester, NY) [PDF]

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

Town Board – Town of Chester, Orange County New York!

TOWN OFFICE TERM PARTY ELECTED OFFICIAL STREET ADDRESS MAILING ADD CITY, ST, ZIP ELECTED EXPIRES
Chester Councilman 4 yrs D Tom Becker 13 Sanford Ave Chester, NY 10918 11/5/2019 2021

Orange County Board of Elections - 2021 Town/City/Village Elected Officials (PDF)

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

326-Town-City-Village (Orange County, NY)

Suggested keeping the Walton Lake Estates sodium well online.

Plans to have three operators keep Chester’s water districts running smoothly.

Plans to review water-operator certifications and arrange required safety training.

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

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

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.

Thomas has served as a town council member.

Plans to maintain three operators to keep the town's water districts running smoothly.

Plans to review water-operator certifications and arrange required training for a safe working environment.

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

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

Wants to hire and train water-district laborers so the town has three operators.

Plans to review water operators’ certification needs and arrange required training to create a safe working environment.

Wants to create a new water source for Walton Lake Estates, citing high sodium levels and inadequate water capacity.

Thomas previously served as a town council member.

Plans to train a new water laborer on licensing and leave the town with three water-district operators.

Plans to review water-operator certification requirements and arrange training for a safe work environment.