Meet Incoming Village Trustee Matt Callaghan

The Scarsdale Citizen's Nominating Committee has nominated forty-year Scarsdale resident Matt Callaghan for Scarsdale Village Trustee. The election will be held on March 18 and we asked Callaghan a few questions to help you to get to know him. Here is what he shared:

What do you like about Scarsdale?

It is friendly, has unassuming residents and neighbors and friendly and helpful merchants. Schools, recreation facilities and activities are great and our cooperative form of village governance, with the village board and village hall, make our community so special. Scarsdale10583.com and the Scarsdale Inquirer keep the community informed and I value the Village in the Park that preserves the character and look of Scarsdale.

Would you recommend Scarsdale to people looking to move to the suburbs?

Definitely!

What do you professionally?

I am a semi -retired- safety management consultant for the hospital and hotel industry and a trustee of the Fire Safety Directors Association of greater New York and a trustee of the International Code Council's New York chapter.

Why do you want to serve as Village Trustee?

I consider serving as a trustee as the ultimate form of service to our Village. This is a way for me to pay back for all the things living in Scarsdale has done for the Callaghans. I hope as a trustee I can keep these same good outcomes for future family's moving to our village. I also think that the 35+ years in some 20+ organizations equips me well for this position.

In your view, what are the key issues facing the village?

• Maintaining the Village in the Park
• Overbuilding
• Commercial development
• Increasing volunteer activity
• Environmental monitoring

How do you hope to contribute?

As director of Safety Management at leading New York City hospitals I learned to be
a complex problem solver and facilitator, bringing together different disciplines to craft creative resolutions. Also through my experience as an adjunct Professor in Heath Care Science I have become familiar with the principles of not-for-profit organization governance.

What Village committees and organizations have you been involved with?

• Scarsdale Volunteer Firefighter Co#1-1982 to present -Held rank of lieutenant and trustee with 33 years active duty
• Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Counselor 1985 to present
• Counselor Fire Science Explorer post 2009 to present
• STEP Advisory Board member 1990 to present
• Zoning Board of Appeals 1996-2005-2012 to present
• Scarsdale Bowl Committee 2008-2010
• Scarsdale Recreation Soccer Coach 1981- 1993
• Scarsdale Forum (Town Club) 1975 to present with several committee memberships (chair land, buildings and highways}
• Procedural committee member CNC committees school board and village board several times
• Screening committee for Village Manager which led to selection of current village manager Al Gatta
• Treasurer Non Partisan Committee 1982
• Scarsdale Family Counseling Service 1988-1990- employment counseling
• President Arthur Manor Association 1982
• Parishioner St. Pius X Church
• Religious education instructor Immaculate Heart of Mary Church