Then, friends — and even family — took their seats on the new Town Board.

Under the leadership of new Town Supervisor Lou Pelletter, the Board welcomed Aimee Rogers and James Feldmann as its newest members. Feldmann joins his father, Bernie Feldmann Jr., on the Town Board. Bernie Feldmann Jr. was also named as the Town’s Deputy Supervisor.

Rogers joked, “This is weird,” as she stepped up to take her seat on the Board. Rows of her family and friends watched from the audience, where she was used to sitting at most Town Board meetings in recent years, often with homemade treats for the Board and the audience to enjoy.

The Board’s first official meeting came after the inauguration ceremony, which featured an official oath of office taken by Justice James McGowan, Justice Christopher Penfold, Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri, Town Supervisor Lou Pelletter, Highway Superintendent Peter Pelletter, Deputy Supervisor Bernie Feldmann Jr.,

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Hanover Town Board member James Feldmann, right, was recently sworn in by Town Justice James McGowan, left, at an inauguration ceremony of the newly elected officials at the Hanover Town Hall and Court. Feldmann joins his father, Bernie Feldmann Jr., on the Town Board.

Board member James Feldmann, and Board member Aimee Rogers. Members of each official’s family accompanied them as they took the oath.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support. I’m really excited to hit the ground running with you guys,” James Feldmann said.

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He then turned to the Board and expressed his excitement to learn from Supervisor Lou Pelletter, Board member Ed Schintzius, and his father, Bernie Feldmann Jr., as he and Rogers join the Board.

James Feldman joins the Board with experience as a Campaign Field Director for former Congressman Tom Reed and as an Executive Assistant for Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.

Rogers, an advocate for the Forestville community through her efforts with Imagine Forestville, also thanked the community for supporting her candidacy for the Town Board. Rogers received the most votes of the three Town Board members running for a seat this past November, with 875 votes in her favor. James Feldmann was not far behind with 815 votes. Kevin O’Connell finished third with 643 votes.

“I thank everybody for their support in allowing us to be a part of this wonderful town. I so look forward to working with the town on this Board, and especially the community,” Rogers said. “I’ve learned a lot from Imagine Forestville. … You can’t do much unless you have that backing, and our town is a great town.”

Members of the Board will receive salaries of $7,000 for the year, while Pelletter will receive $17,500 as Town Supervisor.

Pelletter was elected as Town Supervisor after serving as Deputy Supervisor since 2015. He has over 30 years of Police Department experience. Pelletter ran unopposed for the role of Supervisor, with 1,090 votes in his favor to assume the role previously held by Todd Johnson. Pelletter, a fiscal conservative, shared a desire to stay within the town’s budget without a need to raise taxes in future years.

Elizabeth VanCheri was elected as Hanover Town Clerk, with a defeat of former Supervisor Johnson by a tally of 764-590. VanCheri announced the launch of a new Facebook page for the Town of Hanover at her first meeting as Town Clerk, along with her intention to prioritize updates to the official town website. VanCheri takes over for Tim Crino as Town Clerk. Her annual salary for the role of Town Clerk is $56,000. VanCheri appointed Hazel Deet and Lorry Schneider as Deputy Clerks.

Peter Pelletter was re-elected as Hanover Highway Superintendent, with 1,085 votes in his favor. His annual salary for the role of Highway Superintendent is $69,000. “I’m looking forward to working with the new Board and the new Clerk,” he said.

Like Peter Pelletter, Justice James McGowan was re-elected with 1,085 votes in his favor. To fill the vacancy of the town’s second Justice seat, Christopher Penfold was appointed by order of the 8th Judicial District. Penfold also serves as the lone Justice for the Town of Dunkirk. Each Town Justice will receive $18,000 salaries for the year.

The Town also appointed John Grennell as Town Attorney at a salary of $28,000 for the year. Grennell replaces Jeff Passafaro for the role of Town Attorney. Andrew Kehrer was appointed as Assistant District Attorney/Town Prosecutor at $13,000 for the year of 2024.

Robert Weiskerger was appointed as Coordinating Director of Disaster, with former Supervisor Todd Johnson as his Assistant Director. Weiskerger was also appointed as Fire Warden.

Shawn Smith was appointed as Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman; Rick Klisiewicz was named Chairman of the Planning Board; and Lorry Schneider was appointed as Secretary to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Schneider was also appointed to the Board of Ethics.

Board member Ed Schintzius was appointed as Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, upon a motion by Bernie Feldmann Jr., seconded by his son, James.

“There’s your first hostile takeover,” Bernie Feldmann Jr. joked.

The Hanover Town Board will meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanover Town Hall and Court, with workshops beginning at 6:30 p.m. preceding each meeting.