Alison Jolicoeur
Bill Gouldman
The race for Putnam Valley Town Supervisor is intensifying as a contentious property dispute involving protected wetlands and personal financial legal actions take center stage ahead of the general election on November 3, 2026.
Incumbent Democrat Alison Jolicoeur, who won the seat in November 2025, faces a challenge from Republican Putnam County Legislator William “Bill” Gouldman. The campaign has rapidly shifted from traditional policy debates into deep scrutiny over Jolicoeur’s personal court battles and their potential impact on local taxpayers.
The Core of the Property Dispute
At the heart of the local controversy is an active lawsuit, Jolicoeur Filipowski, Alison vs. Town of Putnam Valley. The dispute involves a Lake Peekskill residence inherited by Jolicoeur’s minor daughter, where deeded access is legally restricted to foot travel from Lake Drive.
The conflict erupted when Jolicoeur sought a written easement across town-owned parkland at North Beach to establish vehicular access to the home. Opponents and environmental advocates claim that carving out a driving lane would directly violate protected public wetlands. After a prospective sale of the lakeside home collapsed allegedly due to the property’s vehicular restrictions, Jolicoeur moved back into the residence. Critics allege her residency is a tactical maneuver designed to pressure the town into granting the easement through public trust lands.
Ongoing Litigation and Financial Fallout
When the town refused to permit the driving lane, Jolicoeur launched a massive lawsuit against Putnam Valley. The legal action seeks full compensation for the failed home sale, reportedly demanding $292,000 plus interest and penalties.
Critics argue the lawsuit places a sharp financial burden on local residents, who are left footing the bill for legal defense fees. Under New York State law, a Town Board cannot easily grant a private driveway easement through public parkland without State Legislature approval, leaving the matter bound up in the judicial system.
Addressing the conflict of interest concerns, Jolicoeur stated she will recuse herself from any vote regarding a potential settlement that would require Town Board approval. She has publicly maintained that any eventual funding for a settlement would be absorbed by the town’s insurance carrier, though community groups argue the ultimate financial exposure rests with the local Lake Peekskill District.
A Stark Choice for Voters
The personal legal battles arrive amidst a fierce debate over town finances. Jolicoeur recently released next year’s tentative budget featuring a 7.28% tax hike, which she notes is vastly reduced from a 26% inherited deficit. Though Supervisor Jolicoeur has since lowered the town’s tentative tax hike to an artificial 4.8% by drawing $2 million from reserves . This reduction severely slashes the Putnam Valley Highway Department budget for road resurfacing, which critics label a short-sighted election tactic. The towns EMS department has also stood up to ask for their full budget request, citing critical shortfalls in service if their proposed budget is cut.
Gouldman has heavily critiqued the rate increase, campaigning on a platform of fiscal responsibility and infrastructure adjustments
Voters will decide whether the incumbent can objectively serve the public interest while embroiled in costly private litigation against the town, or if a change in leadership is required.
Voters can locate their designated polling stations through the Putnam County Board of Elections Polling Place Lookup.
Gouldman has heavily critiqued the rate increase, campaigning on a platform of fiscal responsibility and infrastructure adjustments