Before leaving for Naval Reserve Duty, the county executive proclaimed that June 21 would be Edward C. Moulton Jr. Day in Orange County.
Cornwall-on-Hudson recognized its former mayor on that day by naming the Village Board Room in his honor. Mr. Moulton sat in the first row with his son Curt. Behind them were several people who had served in the Mouton administration. The current mayor, James Gagliano, acted as host for the celebration.
Mayor Gagliano read the tribute from County Executive Steve Neuhaus and reflected on Mr. Moulton’s long career. Before leading the Village for 26 years as mayor, Mr. Moulton was a lieutenant colonel, who served through three eras in the military – the Korean War, the Cold War and the Vietnam Era.
After leaving office, Ed Moulton still had an influence on the community. Before running for trustee, Jim Kane sought advice from the man who had been Cornwall-on-Hudson’s chief executive from 1981-2007.
“Don’t do it!” was Mr. Moulton’s first reaction (a response that drew a hearty laugh from the Monday night audience). But, then, the former mayor offered guidelines that have influenced Mr. Kane ever since.
Brendan Coyne (mayor from 2011-21) acknowledged that during his early days on the job, he often turned to Ed Moulton for help. “He mentored me,” Mr. Coyne admitted.
While Mayor Coyne became more independent, he still relied on his predecessor last year when the Village purchased Donahue Farm. It was Ed Moulton who helped the board find someone to appraise the property.
Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (who was represented by a staff member) each had a proclamation for the honoree. The senator, speaking from a newly built lectern, reflected on Ed Moulton’s time in office. “He served for 26 years,” Mr. Skoufis quipped, “that’s close to my entire lifetime.”
Howard Protter handled the Village’s legal affairs for almost all the time that Ed Moulton was mayor. He followed Senator Skoufis at the front of the room and cited several infrastructure improvements that were made during the Moulton Administration.
Town Supervisor Richard Randazzo began his political career at the same time as the guest of honor.
They both were elected to the Village Board in 1977.
Mr. Randazzo told the audience that he’s been supervisor for as many years as Ed Moulton was mayor. But when he mentioned that to his colleague, Mr. Moulton saw a distinction. “Yes,” he admitted, “but I served 26 years consecutively.” The supervisor has been in and out of office four different times.
A framed photograph of Ed Moulton will be mounted on the Board Room wall. And a sign over the entrance identifies the meeting space as the Mayor Edward C. Moulton Jr. Village Board Room. Before the tribute was over, the guest of honor had his picture taken with the people who had served with him.
Then, he addressed the audience, briefly recalling the move from River Avenue to the current Village Hall.
“It was a lot of work,” he said. But instead of dwelling in the past, he thanked everyone in the room.
And as he returned to his front row seat, several friends lined up to congratulate him.
