Town Board Meetings Plagued by Infighting, Lack of Decorum

By DARLA M. YOUNGSHARTWICK

The Hartwick Town Board meeting on Monday, December 9 was much like an episode of “The Real Housewives.” Board members bickered amongst themselves, argued with the meeting chair, were disrupted by audience members and still managed to conduct some town business.

Over the last two months, Town of Hartwick residents have witnessed the resignations of Town Supervisor Robert O’Brien and attorney William C. Green, a call for the resignations of two board members, a deputy supervisor who cannot serve in that capacity due to a paperwork technicality and, most recently, the resignation of bookkeeper Raymond Holohan. Town Clerk Andrea Vazquez has stepped in to keep the town moving forward as numerous nominations for an interim supervisor have ended in a stalemate. O’Brien’s term was to have ended on December 31, 2025.