ZUTES APPOINTED SUPERVISOR, SMITH APPOINTED TO BOARD

The Pittsford Town Board voted to appoint Acting Supervisor Sandra Zutes as Town Supervisor and William A. Smith, Jr. as Town Board member during their board meeting on Tuesday night (12/18). Mrs. Zutes will serve the remainder of previous Town Supervisor Bill Carpenter’s term, which runs

through the end of 2013; Mr. Smith will fill the vacancy on the Town Board resulting from Mrs. Zutes' appointment as supervisor.

After the vote, from which she abstained, Mrs. Zutes was sworn in and presided over the rest of the meeting as Town Supervisor. The town’s Deputy Supervisor for 16 of the past 19 years, Mrs. Zutes had been serving as Acting Town Supervisor since Bill Carpenter’s departure on November 23 of this year.

“I am so honored to serve our community in this capacity,” Mrs. Zutes said. “While I will not seek election to the office of Supervisor in November 2013, I will work diligently over the next year to assure that town services and programs continue to run smoothly and at the high level of quality our residents expect and deserve,” she continued. “It is truly my pleasure to accept this appointment.”

Town Board member Jared Lusk, who oversaw the board’s candidate selection process, said “We were very impressed with the quality of candidates for the supervisor position. They represented a wide variety of backgrounds and experience.” He continued, “Ultimately, it became very clear that Acting Supervisor Zutes was the best candidate to serve our community as we go through this transition period. She not only has the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running but also brings nearly two decades of public service and personal commitment to the Town of Pittsford.”

William A. Smith, Jr. is currently a Pittsford Town Justice; he will resign his judicial post effective immediately in order to serve as a Pittsford Town Board member.

“During the selection process the Board understood there was potential for an additional board vacancy, so we asked each of our top candidates if they might be interested in a position on Town Board, should they not be offered the supervisor position,” said Mr. Lusk. “As a result, we were able to secure an outstanding candidate like Bill Smith to fill the vacancy on Town Board.”

Mr. Smith’s appointment to the Town Board will create a vacancy on the Town of Pittsford’s judicial bench. The Town Board will begin the process of filling that vacancy.