Ralph Caruso

Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury Background Superintendent of Operations, New York City Transit Authority 30 years, retired.New York State Senate, Member of Staff, 14 years. Marital status: Married to Jeanette 40 years, 4 children, 7 Grandchildren. Years in Woodbury: 36 years 8 months Political and civic activities: Councilman, Town of Woodbury 4 years Member and Former . Chairman of the Woodbury Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 years Member of the Town of Woodbury Board of Police Commissioners, 4 years Member of the Town of Woodbury Board of Health, 4 years Member of the Town of Woodbury Architectural Review Board, 4 years Member of the Orange County Human Rights Commission, 3 years Notary Public, State of New York, 30 years Parishioner, St. Patrick’s Church Life Member Woodbury Field & Stream Club Charter Member, Catholic War Veterans Post 1923 Member American Legion Woodbury Post 779 Member Woodbury Historical Society Member Woodbury Golden Agers Member Friends of the Woodbury Public Library Chairman and Charter Member Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury Former Chairman and Charter Member People of Woodbury Association Former Member Woodbury Community Association Former Member Black Rock Fish & Game Club Former Member Lake Region Italian American Association Former Assistant Coach Monroe Woodbury Girls Softball League Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Political Science State University of New York Military Service: Veteran, United States Naval Air, Honorable Discharge I bring 30 years of management experience as a Superintendent of Operations, where I was in charge of 300 plus supervisory staff and personnel, a $6 million dollar budget and 78 facilities including equipment valued in excess of 50 million dollars. My responsibilities included but were not limited to, management and operations of all personnel in my charge, and administering all personnel payrolls, personnel records, work schedules, vacations, training schedules, and performed labor/union management relations. I also bring experience and background as a 14 years member of the New York State Senate Staff working with local governments assisting in expediting requests to state agencies. In addition I bring experience in both elected and appointed positions, as a Town Councilman, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Police Commissioners, Board of Health, Architectural Review Board, Orange County Human Rights Commission, Notary Public and my Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Political Science. I will be able to draw on my background, experience and state agencies networking to properly form the first government of our new Village of Woodbury, assuring our residents that it is done right the first time. Q: What is your view of village administration, services provided and villages taxes? Include a discussion of public works and police: A: I will work to establish inter-municipal agreements between our new village and our town. The Village of Woodbury will contract with the Town of Woodbury, at $1 a year for each service. Town services will continue under the authority of the town, along with all town employee positions continuing, as will the Fire Department continue to serve our community, as it does now. Financing operations of town services will remain under the authority of the town, with the Village Board working as a partner for services delivered. The Village Board will have authority over the village budget that will include expenses for one part-time mayor, four part-time trustees, one part-time clerk, one part -time treasurer - with no position receiving any benefits. There will also be limited office space rental and, as needed, attorney and professional services. Q: What is your view of zoning for the village? Include a discussion of business, housing, parks and open space. A: By village law, our new Village Board must adopt its own zoning regulations within two or less years of creation of the village. I will work with our new village board members and review the present town zoning regulations that will be used as a base starting point. We will identify and close loop-holes, clarify ambiguous chapters and sections, identify and remove contractor and developer building bonuses that include granting increased housing credit for land not buildable (i.e. wet lands and steep grades) which permits more houses to be built on less land.