Monroe Woodbury Teacher Appointed to Woodbury Village Board

Mayor Andrew Giacomazza selected Kathleen Mottola to fill the Village of Woodbury board seat left open after Deputy Mayor Vic Ferrarelli resigned. Mottola, a teacher in the Monroe Woodbury school district, was sworn into the board in late November by Village Clerk Jessica McCelennan while newly appointed Deputy Mayor Susan Ciriello looked on.

The appointment immediately restores a full complement of village officials and places an educator at the table as local leaders shape municipal priorities. Village boards typically handle local zoning, public safety, park maintenance, infrastructure planning, and budgeting decisions that affect daily life in Woodbury. Mottola’s classroom experience is likely to inform discussions that intersect with the school district, including pedestrian safety, recreation programs for young people, and coordination around emergency planning.

For residents, the change means a new voice in upcoming board meetings and public hearings. With municipal decisions often made on narrow margins, a newly seated member can influence the timing and direction of local initiatives. The swift swearing in underscores the village leadership’s priority of maintaining continuity of government after an unexpected resignation.

The circumstances of Vic Ferrarelli’s resignation were not detailed at the time of the appointment. The mayor’s selection of Mottola follows standard practice for filling vacancies on local governing bodies, and the village will proceed with its usual procedures for governance and any subsequent elections or confirmations required by local law.

Community groups and neighborhood associations that interact with village government may find a more direct ally in a board member with experience in public education. Parents, teachers, and school administrators in Woodbury can expect opportunities to engage with Mottola as municipal policy and school district interests converge.

Residents interested in how this appointment affects specific projects should monitor upcoming board agendas and attend meetings to hear how Mottola participates in deliberations. The board’s actions in the months ahead will clarify the practical impact of adding an educator to the village leadership team.