Overview:
Presence News attended the Town of North Salem’s 2026 Organizational and Town Board Meeting held virtually on January 6, where Supervisor Warren Lucas and Katherine Daniels led the approval of 55 resolutions shaping the town’s staffing, contracts, capital spending, and municipal operations. With no public attendance and no reductions in salaries or expenses, the meeting approved a new police department hire, renewed legal counsel contracts, authorized a $212,000 highway equipment purchase, and confirmed over $453,000 in funding for the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library. This civic report highlights the most notable actions and financial decisions that stood out during the meeting.
Presence News will cover North Salem’s annual budget for the public record and selectively highlight major cultural equestrian events when appropriate.
By Presence News
North Salem, NY — January 6, 2026
Presence News attended the Town of North Salem Organizational Meeting and Town Board Meeting held both in person and via Zoom on the evening of January 6, 2026. The meeting marked the town’s formal start to the 2026 calendar year and set the framework for staffing, contracts, capital purchases, and municipal operations.
The meeting was led by Warren J. Lucas, Town Supervisor, alongside Katherine Daniels, who played a central role in guiding the evening’s proceedings.
No Public Attendance
Notably, no members of the public attended the meeting either in person or virtually -except for Presence News. Participation was limited exclusively to town officials and staff. Presence News was the sole media outlet observing the proceedings online.
Town staff appeared initially unaware that press was present until questions arose regarding a major highway equipment purchase. Following that moment, the tone of the meeting became noticeably more formal, with less casual dialogue during agenda discussions.
55 Resolutions Set the Tone for 2026
The board moved through 55 resolutions, a typical but comprehensive slate for an annual organizational meeting. These resolutions covered:
- Salaries and hourly rates for town employees
- Longevity bonuses and salary increases
- Departmental appointments and reappointments
- Contracts with legal counsel, engineering firms, veterinary providers, and insurers
- Capital equipment purchases
- Library, recreation, and special district agreements
- Taxation, fees, and administrative authorizations
No resolutions reflected salary reductions or expense decreases, a point that stood out during review of the agenda.
Police Department Expansion Approved
Among the personnel actions, the board approved the appointment of a temporary police officer for a 12-week probationary period at $46 per hour, effectively adding another officer to the North Salem Police Department.
Town materials did not publicly disclose full names of newly appointed personnel. Only first names were referenced during the meeting, and individual hires were not listed in detail on the published agenda.
Legal Counsel Changes, Same Cost to Taxpayers
The town renewed its legal services arrangements for 2026, continuing its long-standing relationship with Roland Baroni Jr., despite changes in firm structure.
Baroni, who previously practiced with Stephens Baroni Reilly & Lewis, LLP, is now affiliated with Abrams Fensterman LLP following the dissolution of the former partnership. His hourly rate increased modestly—approximately $20 more than prior years—marking the only notable change in his compensation over the past three years.
Litigation and prosecution services were authorized under Stephen R. Lewis, Baroni’s former law partner. Lewis operates under the Law Office of Stephen R. Lewis, located at 81 Main Street, Suite 400, White Plains, NY, an address also associated with Abrams Fensterman. The former firm’s website now redirects to Lewis’s independent practice.
$212,000 Hitachi Wheel Loader Approved
One of the most significant capital expenditures approved was the purchase of a new Hitachi ZW180-7 wheel loader from Westchester Tractor Inc., located at 60 International Boulevard in Brewster.
- Purchase price: $212,000 (cash purchase)
- Funding source: Highway Machinery Account
- Machine weight: Approx. 31,500 lbs
During the meeting, a town representative stated the purchase would be made outright rather than financed. Presence News notes that comparable gently used loaders from around 2019 can be found on the secondary market for approximately $50,000, raising questions about cost efficiency that were not publicly debated during the meeting.
Library Funding Approved for 2026
The board approved the 2026 operating contract for the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, authorizing funding in the amount of $453,071.25 to keep the library open throughout the year.
According to the library’s public directory, its staff consists of nine employees—eight female and one male.
Official Newspaper Designations
For 2026, the Town of North Salem designated Westchester-focused publications as its official newspapers of record, including outlets under The Journal News / lohud.com umbrella.
Resolutions Overview
The full agenda included authorizations covering:
- Employee salaries, longevity bonuses, and benefits
- Board and committee appointments
- Emergency management designations
- Official depositories and polling places
- Contract renewals with engineering, insurance, recreation, veterinary, and legal service providers
- Taxation adjustments and fee increases
- Authorization of additional credit card users
- Capital purchases and vendor agreements
The meeting followed standard procedural structure, with most resolutions approved without extended discussion.
Closing Note
These highlights reflect items that stood out during the organizational meeting and are not intended to replace the official minutes of the Town of North Salem. Presence News will continue to monitor municipal meetings and budget decisions affecting residents and taxpayers.
As always, if any corrections or clarifications are needed, please contact PresenceNews.org.
— Presence News Civic Reporting Team
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