The Tug Hill Commission is overseen by a board of nine unpaid volunteers, all residents of the Tug Hill region. They are appointed three each by the Governor, Speaker of the State Assembly, and majority leader of the State Senate for five year terms. The nine commissioners are chosen by appointing authorities so that two come from each of the four counties that overlap the region, with a ninth member serving “at large.” Commission members set agency policy, budget, and program priorities, and oversee staff through an executive director.
Commissioners are eligible for payment of expenses (reimbursement) but do not receive compensation in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission. Commissioners are reimbursed for mileage to meetings, meals at board meetings, and meeting registration and lodging costs. In the prior fiscal year (2022-2023) the amount reimbursed was $3,300.94. As of the latest date for which there is complete information (October 31, 2023) the amount reimbursed for the current fiscal year (2023-2024), which is not yet concluded, is $2,645.91. For the upcoming fiscal year (2024-2025), for which a budget has not yet been finalized, it is projected that the amount to be reimbursed is $5,000.
The Commission is authorized by New York State legislation first passed in 1972 (Chapter 972, Laws of 1972), and most recently amended in 1998 as Article 37, Section 847 of the New York State Executive Law (Chapter 440, Laws of 1998). Article 37 provides for an every five year report to the governor and state legislature on the quality of and need for (or not) continuation of the Tug Hill Commission and its programs, based on a survey of some 400 local officials and community leaders from the Tug Hill region.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Chairman Jan Bogdanowicz – Montague, Lewis County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor. (Governor appointment: Term – August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2028).
Vice Chairman Michael G. Yerdon, Sr. – Redfield, Oswego County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor, former school board member, current county legislator. (Senate appointment: Term – August 22, 2018 – July 31, 2023, expired).
Secretary Thomas E. Boxberger – Watertown, Jefferson County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former NYS Department of Health Regional Director, current planning board co-chair. (Senate appointment: Term – August 22, 2018 – July 31, 2023, expired).
Leona M. Chereshnoski – Lorraine, Jefferson County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former librarian, involved in multiple regional organizations (NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers Association, Osceola Snowmobile Club). (Assembly appointment: Term – July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2027).
Robert Keller – Boonville, Oneida County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former Social Security Administration, Vietnam Veteran, former board member Trout Unlimited – Tug Hill Black River Chapter, past council member and chair of the Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation & Development Council, and former THRIFT (Tug Hill Resources – Investment for Tomorrow) council member, current board member Tug Hill Tomorrow land Trust, volunteer pilot for Light Hawk. (Governor appointment: Term – February 29, 2024 – July 31, 2028).
Geraldine J. Ritter – Forestport, Oneida County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former NOCCOG circuit rider, former planning board chair. (Assembly appointment: Term – July 10, 2022 – June 30, 2027).
William W. Scriber – Parish, Oswego County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor, current planning board chair. (Assembly appointment: Term – July 1, 2022 – August 31, 2027).
Vacant – Governor appointment.
Vacant – Senate appointment.
Interested individuals should contact the appropriate appointing authority (Governor, State Assembly, State Senate) to inquire about appointments to the NYS Tug Hill Commission board.
The Process for Filling Vacancies on the Commission
The process for filling vacancies on the Commission is set out in its enabling legislation at §847-b of New York State Executive Law.
The Commission is “to consist of nine members to be appointed as follows: three by the governor, three by the temporary president of the senate and three by the speaker of the assembly. All of the appointees of each such officer shall be residents of the Tug Hill region, which includes, in Jefferson county, the towns of Adams, Champion, Lorraine, Rodman, Rutland, Watertown and Worth; in Lewis county, the towns of Denmark, Harrisburg, Lewis, Leyden, Lowville, Martinsburg, Montague, Osceola, Pinckney, Turin and West Turin; in Oneida county, the towns of Annsville, Ava, Boonville, Camden, Florence, Floyd, Forestport, Lee, Remsen, Steuben, Trenton, Vienna and Western; and in Oswego county, the towns of Albion, Amboy, Boylston, Constantia, Hastings, Orwell, Parish, Redfield, West Monroe and Williamstown. At least two commissioners shall be selected from each of the four counties respectively.”
The “term of office of each member appointed shall be for five years. Each member shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. Vacancies in membership of the commission occurring from any cause shall be filled by the officer authorized to make the original appointment of the member whose office becomes vacant.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Katie Malinowski