Rensselaer Falls mayor resigns from post

RENSSELAER FALLS — The village Board of Trustees could accept the resignation of Mayor C. Ralph Hammond when it meets April 6 and appoint Deputy Mayor Jeffrey W. Dollinger to replace him.

Mr. Hammond's letter of resignation came after the board's last regular meeting, during which there was discussion of various building code violations in the village, including an issue on property owned by William I. and Vicki L. Bennett, who are neighbors of Mr. Hammond.

Mr. Hammond declined comment on why he resigned.

"That's a dead issue," he said.

Mr. Hammond had already been talking with Mr. Dollinger about stepping down. Mr. Dollinger said he hoped Mr. Hammond would remain mayor until at least the end of his term this year.

"He could change his mind and remain on the board as mayor or become a trustee," Trustee Sally W. Hartman said. "He does a lot of good things for the village. There's no hard feelings on the board."

Village attorney Charles B. Nash also has resigned, but he was unavailable for comment and Mr. Dollinger said he didn't know if the resignations were connected.

Mr. Dollinger said he hasn't decided whether to run for mayor this fall.

"I'm going to use this opportunity to see if I can put forth the hours the village deserves," he said.

If Mr. Dollinger takes over as mayor, he intends to appoint a replacement for himself who would serve until December. November's ballot would then include a one-year term for Mr. Dollinger's vacated trustee seat.