The Town of Shawangunk board kicked off the new year with a productive meeting last Thursday, January 2, celebrating the election of a new town justice and the winners of Wallkill’s decorating contest.

The board opened the meeting by swearing in Dave Davis, the town’s newest justice who unanimously won last year’s election. Davis, a lifetime Shawangunk resident, is well-versed in law enforcement with two decades worth of experience; he served as a corrections officer for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for 12 years and as an accreditation manager at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility for eight years. He is also an active member of the Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Ulster County, helping organize the group’s youth fishing at Wallkill Pond, gun safety procedures, and other events.

For several years, Davis has sought to jump back into law enforcement and felt that the town court would be the perfect environment to utilize his skillset and community knowledge to the fullest.

“I’ve been working toward this position for seven years. Since retiring, I wanted to get back into law enforcement in some capacity,” Davis said on January 5. “I know the town’s people and the culture, and I’m very involved in local organizations.”

After taking the oath of office, Davis thanked the board and residents for this opportunity and asserted that he would serve the community the best he could.

“I know some of you supported me and some of you didn’t. Regardless, I’ll do my best and make you all proud,” Davis said during the meeting.

Following Davis, members from Vision of Wallkill presented certificates and prizes to several winners from Wallkill’s 2024 Sparkle & Shine contest, a holiday tradition in which residents and businesses decorate their properties and compete to have the most brilliant, vibrant, and extravagant displays. VOW Member Larissa Burke thanked everyone who participated in this season’s contest, emphasizing how their decorations illuminated the hamlet brighter than ever.

“The Hamlet of Wallkill was strong with the holiday spirit this past holiday season. Many homes and several businesses decorated our sidewalks and front yards with a multitude of lights, giant inflatables, and ornaments of all kinds to show that Wallkill is bright and beautiful,” Burke said. “The Vision of Wallkill recognizes those who took the time to share their pride and joy in the Sparkle & Shine Contest. We initially advertised a contest with four categories of winners, but when we looked around it appeared that more people were decorating in unique ways where they deserved their categories.”

Later in the meeting, Supervisor Ken Ronk Jr. mentioned that he and the board would begin discussing regulations for short-term rentals and food trucks in the town very soon. He speculated that the board will hold a public hearing on short-term rentals sometime in February once the council members familiarize themselves with the local law’s draft and consider regulations that best fit the town.