2026 New York General Election

A first-generation American, Castellano’s parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s and became citizens in 1994. He and his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth, purchased their home in Southeast in 1998, raising their two daughters in the Brewster Central School District.

Castellano, Eckardt Face Off for Southeast Supervisor

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Joseph F. Castellano earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Pace University. He is married.

He began his career in 1996 with the Westchester County Clerk’s Office in the Legal Division. In 2010, he became program coordinator, overseeing the daily operations of the Legal Division with up to 30 employees.

Joseph has previously worked for Westchester County a program coordinator for their legal division.

Joseph Castellano
Southeast Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano was appointed by the Town Board in February to serve in an interim role, after the former supervisor resigned. Prior to that, he served on the Zoning Board from 2004 to 2012 before being elected Putnam County legislator for District 7 in 2012. He served four terms, from 2013 to 2024 – including two years in which he was unanimously elected chairman by his peers.

Southeast Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano was appointed by the Town Board in February to serve in an interim role, after the former supervisor resigned. Prior to that, he served on the Zoning Board from 2004 to 2012 before being elected Putnam County legislator for District 7 in 2012. He served four terms, from 2013 to 2024 – including two years in which he was unanimously elected chairman by his peers.

Joseph was appointed town supervisor in 2026.

As of October 28, 2026, Joseph F. Castellano did not have a website or any information online.

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Joseph F. Castellano

As of October 28, 2026, Joseph F. Castellano’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Eckardt said the town needs to make the most of its assets and location without compromising its beauty and safety. “While commercial development is extremely important, our residents should always come first,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to achieve this balance on the Planning Board, Town Board, and as a resident of Southeast for the last 47 years.”

From 2002 to 2011 she volunteered on the executive board of Concerned Residents of Southeast, from 2009 to 2011 she was an appointed member of the Southeast Architectural Board of Review, and since 2013 she has been a volunteer member of the advisory board for Putnam Community Action Partnership.

Lynne A. Eckardt has been a resident of Southeast for 47 years. She volunteered on the executive board of Concerned Residents of Southeast from 2002 to 2011 and has been a volunteer member of the advisory board for Putnam Community Action Partnership since 2013.

Eckardt, 62, said she does garden design professionally, but added, “most of my time is now spent on town business.”

Two Democrats Nominated to Run for Southeast Town Board

As a 47-year resident of Southeast who raised a family in town and ran a local business for more than 20 years, Eckardt said she believes the town has more potential.

Lynne A. Eckardt works in garden design. She previously ran a local business for more than 20 years.

Two Democrats Nominated to Run for Southeast Town Board | The Examiner News

Lynne Eckardt is a former Southeast Town Board member (2012-20) and current member of the Planning Board, having been appointed in 2020. But her experience in public service dates back more than two decades.

In written comment submitted to the county executive, Lynne Eckardt of Southeast also supported a veto of the new law. Eckardt, a Democrat, served on the town board for eight years and is now a member of the planning board. “I was the minority party on the Southeast Town Board for two terms and not once did I find that I needed counsel,” she wrote. “I always assumed the attorney was there to protect the town… Even as a minority party, I believe the town attorney accomplished this.”

Opposition Heard for Charter Change

Lynne previously served two terms on the Southeast Town Board from 2012 to 2020.

As of October 28, 2026, Lynne A. Eckardt did not have a website or any information online.

Young people are also encouraged to stay in Southeast, with accessory dwelling units now allowed in town code. “These units must comply with all zoning regulations and be added only to an owner-occupied property,” she said. “These dwelling units help alleviate housing availability and affordability.”

Eckardt said that while she is in favor of affordable rental units, they are not a long-term solution as they do not build generational wealth. “We need to look toward the future and offer affordable home ownership,” she said. “This would keep our younger people in Southeast and raise our economic viability. Southeast could and should be on the cutting edge of responsible and affordable homeownership.”

The candidate said consistency is the key to supporting development while protecting the town’s character and environment. “Southeast has become very desirable for business, as our commercial codes are less stringent than much of Westchester County’s and our taxes are lower,” she said. “But some problems have occurred in Southeast because local zoning codes have been modified to accommodate businesses rather than our residents… Without strong enforcement, our codes mean nothing.”

Supports accessory dwelling units on owner-occupied properties that comply with zoning regulations to increase housing availability and affordability.

Advocates for affordable homeownership alongside affordable rental housing.

Calls for strong enforcement of local zoning codes, saying codes modified for businesses have created problems for residents.

- Supports accessory dwelling units on owner-occupied properties that comply with zoning regulations to increase housing availability and affordability.
- Advocates for affordable homeownership alongside affordable rental housing.
- Calls for strong enforcement of local zoning codes, saying codes modified for businesses have created problems for residents.

Lynne A. Eckardt

As of October 28, 2026, Lynne A. Eckardt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lynne A. Eckardt volunteered on the executive board of Concerned Residents of Southeast from 2002 to 2011 and has been a volunteer member of the advisory board for Putnam Community Action Partnership since 2013.

Lynne previously served as a member of the Southeast Town Board from 2012 to 2020.

Lynne Eckardt works professionally in garden design.

Lynne previously served as a Southeast Town Board member from 2012 to 2020.

- Supports reducing the local tax burden while staying within the 2 percent tax cap and maintaining a healthy fund balance.

- Worked with the Recreation Department to publicize the town's recreation offerings through a town-wide mailing.

- Supports accessory dwelling units on owner-occupied properties that comply with zoning regulations to help address housing availability and affordability.
- Advocates for responsible, affordable homeownership to help younger residents remain in Southeast.

Lynne A. Eckardt has lived in Southeast for 47 years and raised a family there.

Lynne A. Eckardt ran a local business for more than 20 years.

- As a Planning Board member, worked with applicants and the public to improve the aesthetics of new and repurposed commercial buildings.

- Calls for strong enforcement of local zoning codes and says changes to local codes that favor businesses have created problems for residents.
- Supports owner-occupied accessory dwelling units that comply with zoning regulations to help address housing availability and affordability.
- Advocates for affordable homeownership to help younger people remain in Southeast.
- Wants Southeast to attract younger residents without pushing out older residents while increasing local property values.

Lynne A. Eckardt raised a family in Southeast.

Lynne A. Eckardt works in garden design. She has also run a local business.

Lynne A. Eckardt raised a family. Since 2013, she has been a volunteer member of the advisory board for Putnam Community Action Partnership.

Lynne served on the Southeast Town Board from 2012 to 2020.

- Seeks to expand Southeast's commercial tax base without compromising quality of life.

- Calls for strong enforcement of local zoning codes to protect residents as development proceeds.
- Supports additional housing units, known as accessory dwelling units, on owner-occupied properties that comply with all zoning regulations to help address housing availability and affordability.
- Advocates for affordable homeownership to help younger residents remain in Southeast.

Advocates for reducing Southeast's tax burden while staying within the 2 percent tax cap and "maintaining a healthy fund balance."

Pledges to hold monthly meetings and roundtables to hear from constituents.

Worked with local agencies and organizations to open a one-mile trail alongside the Diverting Reservoir.

Solicited a bid to install solar panels at the former town landfill.

New York Town Supervisor, Southeast

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