DELHI _ The Delaware County Board of Supervisors appointed Colchester Supervisor Robert Homovich county budget director to replace John Meredith, who died Monday.
Board Chairman James Eisel began the meeting with a resolution in memory of Meredith, who had served as Walton supervisor since 2006.
The resolution stated that Meredith "will be remembered for his dedication, hard work and his unbounding sense of humor." A single red rose in a white vase sat at Meredith's desk during the meeting.
Eisel said Meredith "was a strong supporter of his town and of Delaware County. He always had a funny comment and he was an all-around good guy."
Meredith also served as the vice-chairman of the Coalition of Watershed Towns, which prompted Middletown Supervisor Len Utter to say, "John was a strong supporter of Delaware County and he wasn't afraid to step up and offer suggestions that New York City didn't like."
Delhi Supervisor Peter Bracci said, "John was my friend, colleague and confidant. I was enriched by my friendship with him."
Roxbury Supervisor Thomas Hynes said, "He was a man who came at the right time. He was a great guy."
Homovich, who served on the county's budget oversight and finance committees with Meredith, said, "It always goes against nature to see a young person die.
"John had so much to give and so little time to do it in. I treasure the memories I have and he is going to be missed here an awful lot," Homovich said.
Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield, who also worked with Meredith on the budget oversight and finance committees said, "John was an asset on all the committees he worked on and he knew the budget _ we have a big hole to try to fill."
Eisel said a box for contributions of non-perishable food items will be placed in the lobby of the county office building so people can make donations in Meredith's memory.
After the resolution appointing Homovich as budget officer for the balance of the year, the tentative 2010 Delaware County Budget was distributed for review by the board and the department heads.
Eisel said the levy shows an increase of 1.43 percent, which may be lowered.
The total appropriations stand at $93,416,705 compared with the modified 2009 budget, which totaled $108,303,558.
"The department heads realized the situation we are in and they came in with good budgets," Homovich said.
Marshfield added, "We worked hard and I was concerned about taking another $1 million from our reserve, but this year isn't anything like what we are going to see next year."
Eisel said the final budget will be "predicated on what the state is going to do to us."
