Town Supervisor Dan Pacos couldn’t hold back tears, and neither could Eckman as they realized September’s town board meeting would be their last together. Eckman’s resignation is effective Monday, Sept. 15.

Pacos read her letter and then offered a proclamation in her honor, declaring Sept. 10 as “Ann Eckman Day” in Pomfret. He gave her a giant hug.

The proclamation mentions that Eckman has also been deputy town supervisor since 2016. It reads in part, “During her tenure, she has consistently demonstrated a deep sense of civic responsibility, offering time, expertise and thoughtful leadership to address the needs and concerns of our community.”

The proclamation cited “her collaborative spirit, insightful perspective, and unwavering dedication (that) have earned her the respect and admiration of fellow council members, municipal staff, and the community at large.”

OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford Pomfret Town Board member Ann Eckman, center, sits with flowers given to her by Town Supervisor Dan Pacos after she announced her resignation from the board. Also pictured are Town Clerk Samantha Kellogg and the Town Board’s Adam Rak.

Pacos called Eckman “a strong advocate, a great sounding board, a good friend.” Michael Lee, the town board’s newest member, said she was a “good guide for folks like myself who were new on the board.”

It’s too late to get Eckman’s seat on the ballot for this November’s election, Pacos said the town board should ask interested parties to submit letters of interest if they want to replace her. The other board members were agreeable to that.

The person who gets the seat on the five-member town board would have to run in the November 2026 election if they wanted to keep it, Pacos said.

In her resignation letter, four-term town board member Eckman proudly mentioned keeping tax hikes to 2% or lower in each of her 13 years served. She also touted $20 million in funding for water infrastructure, work done at the Highway Department under the guidance of Superintendent Jude Gardner, and Pomfret’s recent move to acquire a former church on Chestnut Road for a new Town Hall.

“I am so proud that we have never fought along party lines… No matter who was on the board, we always did what was best for the residents,” Eckman wrote.

Pomfret Town Supervisor Dan Pacos, right, reads a proclamation honoring Ann Eckman for her 13 years of service on the Pomfret Town Board. Eckman announced her resignation from the board.

Eckman went on to state that she enjoyed her time on local Chambers of Commerce, Festivals Fredonia and other committees, and spent “countless hours volunteering” for various community groups.

“I wish that I had been able to fulfill my current term, but with the current financial instability in the village (of Fredonia), rising taxes, water, sewer and electric rates, to name a few, (my husband and I) do not feel this is the best place for us to spend our retirement years,” she stated.

Eckman closed the letter with this: “The words of Josh Allen seem so perfect here… Be Good, Do Good, God Bless and of course, Go Bills. Forever in my heart Pomfret.”