Jeanette Wolfberg reports for The Columbia Paper that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors held its reorganizational meeting January 3 and board chair Matt Murell set out the county's objectives for 2023. Those goals include fixing a bridge in Livingston and Clermont, upgrading the Department of Social Services Building, and developing a new kitchen for the Office for the Aging. The state Department of Transportation closed the bridge in June and the work is ongoing, Murrell said. The county hopes the bridge will reopen in early 2024. Among the county's 2022 accomplishments: completion of the sewer line from Commerce Park to the Greenport wastewater treatment facility on time and under budget; completion of the PJ Keeler Columbia County Emergency Services Response and Training Center in Commerce Park; and approval of a new contract with the four unions that represent county workers. At the reorganizational meeting, the supervisors chose Murell as chairman, Supervisor Ron Knott as majority leader, and Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling as minority leader. Kelly S. Baccaro was named clerk of the board and Richard Washburn, Michael Nabozny, and Robin Andrews were appointed to the county Board of Ethics. Kelly Miller-Simmons was reappointed Republican election commissioner and Erin Stamper was named Democratic election commissioner, to replace Ken Dow. Victoria McGahan was named Director of Public Health, to replace Jack Mabb, who retired. Murrell acknowledged Mabb for his “outstanding leadership in a most difficult time.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.