JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In a village of 336 people, a voter turnout upwards of 127 is impressive. 

On March 16, attorney William Chellis was elected mayor of Jeffersonville with 72 votes. Opponent Debra Thony’s received 55. 

“I am glad to have built a coalition of both conservatives and progressives, equally committed to localism and sustainability,” he wrote in an email.

“As mayor, I will keep taking small steps toward upgrading our sewer system and water system. We will balance the need for upgrades with the need to keep our tax burden sustainable. Every effort will be made to preserve Jeffersonville as a rural, livable, lovable village.”

He plans on using a Strong Towns approach—which focuses on the financial strength and resilience of towns—on code reform, emphasizing “renewed flexibility and restor[ing] the type of mixed usage between residential and commercial that is the hallmark of a traditional village,” he wrote. 

Currently a village trustee, Chellis will take over the mayor’s role on Thursday, April 1.