On New Year’s Day, Lloyd Town Judge Terry Elia swore in the elected officials for 2024.

Judge Elia said everyone at the dais, “has served the town. They are family and you don’t have to be blood to be family and they demonstrate that every day; the bottom line is they do it for the people of Highland.”

Judge Elia started with Stephen DiLorenzo, who was sworn in for his sixth five-year term as a Highland Fire Commissioner. In his speech, DiLorenzo said he feels that the town’s Fire Department is second to none.

“That all happens because of the members, the officers and the commissioners and everybody associated with our department; that’s why we are as successful as we are. Our line officers are important, our social officers are important and our board of fire commissioners,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone for their support, and this is starting my sixth term and that will make it 30 years and I feel that I have done my share.”

Highway Superintendent Rich Klotz thanked everyone for supporting him in the election, promising to do the best he can with his department’s budgets.

Judge Eugene Rizzo has served the town of Lloyd for 39 years.

“We have an excellent court and an excellent staff, in my opinion second to none in this state, let alone in the County of Ulster,” he said. “I want to wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous new year and many more to come, and I thank you very much,” he said.

Mike Guerriero was sworn in to another term as Town Councilman. He thanked the Highland Firefighters and all First Repsonders, “for keeping our community safe; they do a great job. I would also like to thank my wife of 55 years and daughter, who is always in my corner, and my son, who has been my campaign manager.”
Guerriero echoed Judge Elia’s comments about family.

“Our town is made up of friends, neighbors and people in our community, and I want you to know that we will move forward and do our best to serve you and that is what we’re here for,” he said.

Tiffany Rizzo said she feels fortunate to be working with the Town Board.

“Thank you for your support, and happy new year,” she said.

Just before swearing in Dave Plavchak, Judge Elia said, “Dave really puts his heart into this and you know he is about business and when he gets down to it, he deeply cares. He does his homework and his research and he does his job.”

Plavchak said people can see his administration’s accomplishments when walking around town.
“In my first term I was focused on the three L’s – we learned a lot, we listened a lot and I think most importantly, we led, and by leading that meant working with all of the department heads and basically let everyone do their jobs. I have not micro-managed them but I’ve asked them to do a lot and we’ve been able to get a lot done. So I will continue to learn, continue to listen and continue to lead, above all.”

Plavchak said he does not ask people their party affiliation when they call or come to town hall or to a town board meeting.

“I will continue to support the entire community, and I think if you look out you’ll see that we’re getting stuff done. We have a great community engagement going and people are volunteering and getting involved. I think that’s a tribute to all of the elected officials and department heads working together.”

Plavchak also took a moment to thank his wife Darlene for her support, noting that Judge Rizzo was the one who presided over the ceremony in 2001.

Plavchak concluded by saying, “I look forward to getting things done in the next two years, and I appreciate the support from the other Town Board members. I thank you all for coming and have a great new year.”

After Alan Spaulding sang ‘God Bless America,’ Fred DeMaio offered a few concluding remarks.

“Lord, we thank you for the men and women who have served our town and fire districts selflessly in the past. We’re standing on their shoulders enjoying their hard work and dedication,” he said. “We lift up and ask your blessing over our newly elected town and fire district officials. We pray that your spirit will guide them every step of every day this coming year. Lord, I pray specifically over our community that there will be no political party divisions, no cultural or ethnic divisions, no gender divisions but just caring people whose feet you have placed on solid ground with the passion to do your will for the good of our community.”