Mayor
Elizabeth Bough Martin is the current mayor in the Village of Chittenango. Her approach to leadership has been shaped over the last 20 year working with and for governments in New York State. Her knowledge of policy and government stems from this experience as well as two masters degrees in government administration, most recently from the renowned Maxwell School at Syracuse University where she focused on leadership and public management.
Elizabeth's involvement with the community began when her and her husband first moved to the Village. First, by becoming a member of the Chittenango Garden Club, which led to an invitation to join the Village of Chittenango Creek Walk Advisory Committee. Along with Donna Lynch, Elizabeth wrote the grant for the Chittenango Lions Botanical Park and Creek Walk Trail at Dyke Road. Elizabeth currently serves on the Village Tree Lighting planning committee, co-chairs the Creek Walk Advisory Committee, continues to volunteer with the Garden Club and supports the local Rotary, Lions Club, American Legion and scouting programs, whenever possible.
Prior to being mayor, Elizabeth served as deputy mayor and park commissioner. With former mayor, Michael Keville, she selected, priced and purchased the new playground at Kirschenheiter Park. Elizabeth relies on her training and experience as a planner with her efforts of the Old Erie Canal Community Working Group to develop our section of the Old Erie Canal and Canalway Trail.
She led fellow trustees in updating the Village's policies, particularly the claims review policy so that trustees review all of the Village's payments each month.
Prior to moving to Chittenango, Elizabeth served as central program staff in the New York State Assembly where she advised and drafted policy/bills on environmental regulation, agriculture and local government. She provided colleagues with backup on advising Assembly Members on transportation,tourism and economic development. She taught courses in local government and navigating New York's environmental regulations at Onondaga Community College for 13 years before beginning a PhD program in government administration at Rockefeller College at the University of Albany, SUNY.
Elizabeth is married, with one son at Bolivar Road Elementary, where she also volunteers. Her and her husband also volunteer with Chittenango Little League, Center State Youth Hockey and Sullivan Community Council. Two adult daughters live outside the community. She is dedicated to keeping the Village of Chittenango as a great place to live, work and raise a family.
As mayor, she is responsible for presiding over the meetings of the board of trustees efficiently and effectively; supervising all officials and employees of the village; appointing individuals to boards and committees, with board approval; enforcement of all laws, by supervising the Village Police Department; representing the village in all actions, contracts and meetings, with board approval; ensuring safety and security and building resilience by working with Madison County Office of Emergency Management and Communications.