Roslyn Estates Mayor Jeffrey Schwartzberg announced on Tuesday that he will not run for re-election when villagers go to the polls in March.
“It’s time for new blood,” he said. “When I ran originally six years ago I said I believed strongly in term limits. Six years over three terms is about the right amount of time for anyone in the position.”
“My main achievement is open communication and total transparency with residents,” Schwarzberg added. “I’ve kept them informed and encouraged involvement.”
Schwartzberg was elected mayor of Roslyn Estates in 2011 after defeating 12-year incumbent Susan Ben-Moshe. He was reelected in uncontested elections in 2013 and 2015.
Schwartzberg said he was proud of having kept “taxes reasonably flat” and “put aside reserves to improve roads and maintain trees.”
The Board of Trustees on Monday approved a measure, which Schwartzberg raised several times throughout his tenure, that expands the number of weekend hours a resident or landscaper can operate gas-powered yard equipment, like a lawn mower or leaf blower, within the village.
The board also approved a $192,100 payment to renew the village’s one-year fire service contracts with the Roslyn Highlands Fire Department and the Roslyn Rescue Fire Department.
These will likely be the last two items of legislation passed during Schwartzberg’s mayoralty.
Schwartzberg said he doesn’t foresee himself getting involved in village government again in a formal capacity but will help as necessary.
“I’ll definitely be available to assist,” he said. “I will help prepare the budget and make sure the transition is seamless and transparent for the community.”
“I’ve worked too hard to see this thing fall apart,” he added.
As of Tuesday, Trustee Paul Peters, who Schwartzberg appointed to the board last May, was the only declared candidate for the position.
Peters replaced 73-year-old Sandy Siff, who was re-elected to the Board of Trustees with 15 write-in votes but said he would stick to his decision not to take a board seat.
Peters moved from Manhasset into the village with his wife, Claire, in 2013.
Voting will take place on March 21 from noon to 9 p.m. at village hall.
