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Howard T. Phillips, Jr. - Town
Supervisor
Howard T. Phillips, Jr., grew up in Rockland County residing in the Town of Haverstraw his entire life. He is a graduate of North Rockland High School in 1975 and in 1977 graduated from Rockland Community College with an Associates Degree in Political Science. He then attended Dominican College in Blauvelt where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science in 1979, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Science in 1980. Howard Phillips first began his employment with the Town of Haverstraw in 1983 as Director of Finance under the renowned and loved Supervisor Philip J. Rotella. Mr. Phillips worked for Supervisor Rotella until his retirement in 1997. His duties as Director of Finance included: preparing the annual budget, union and labor contracts, construction contracts and other various negotiating for the Town of Haverstraw. Mr. Phillips oversaw personnel matters as well as participating in Town Board meetings. Howard served on many Town Committees including the Rockland County Worker's Compensation Committee, Town of Haverstraw Rent Guidelines Board, and Youth Committee. He was secretary to the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Architectural Review Board and the Shade Tree Commission. While under Supervisor Rotella, he requested that the Supervisor implement a Fourth of July fireworks Independence Day celebration and it has been one of the largest and most successful events since its inception. Howard was elected County Legislator in 1995 and took office in January of 1996. He held both positions as Director of Finance and County Legislator from 1996 - 2001. In 1998, Howard was selected by his colleagues to be Vice Chairman of the Legislature, a position he held until becoming Supervisor in 2002. When Supervisor Phillips was a Legislator, he was the catalyst behind the County purchasing 25 acres of property on the Hudson River in the Town of Haverstraw which was used to create the first County waterfront park, now known as the County of Rockland’s Haverstraw Bay Park. Also listed as many of his accomplishments were directing the County to take over Railroad Avenue as a County Road in the Village of West Haverstraw, funding for the Hudson Ferry, securing more then $200,000 in grants for not-for-profits, as well as sponsoring legislation for volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members to receive property tax discounts on their assessment. He also created Spanish-speaking positions within Social Services and the Health Department. Howard took office as Supervisor of the Town of Haverstraw in January 2002. Since his election, he has secured more than twenty million dollars in Federal, State and private grants. He has improved the park system at Bowline Point Park and at the Philip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course. He has dedicated the Lawless Pavilion at Bowline Point Park in honor of Thomas J. Lawless and the Grant Gazebo in honor of John T. Grant. The Town of Haverstraw is very proud that it has recently acquired 25 acres of land at Helen Hayes Hospital which will be future recreational fields as well as a permanent home of the Challenger League. Supervisor Phillips is the current Chairman of the Joint Regional Sewerage Board (JRSB) and was recently named by his colleagues the Chairman of the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority (RCSWMA). The RCSWMA handles all the solid waste and recycling in Rockland County. Some of the community activities that Supervisor Phillips has been a member of include: coached "Just for Fun Baseball"; North Rockland Soccer Association; Haverstraw Little League; member of the Haverstraw Elks; former Board Member of Big Brothers-Big Sisters; Board Member of the United Way of Rockland County and a former Board Member of the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw. Supervisor Phillips has been a lector at St. Gregory's Church since 1974, a teacher of CCD at St. Gregory's School for over 30 years, 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, member of AOH Division 1, member of the Rockland County Democratic Committee; former New York State Committee member, and former Co-Chairman of the American Heart Association Rockland County Chapter. The Supervisor and Town Board were very proud to recently acquire the Civil War 95th Regimental Flag where it is now on permanent display at Town Hall. This battle flag was at numerous battles including Fredericksburg, Antietam and the defining battle of Gettysburg. Many members of the 95th Regiment were from Haverstraw and now the flag has a final resting place and will never leave Haverstraw again. Supervisor Phillips currently resides in Garnerville with his wonderful and loving wife Arlette and beautiful children Veronica, Thomas and William.
Major
Accomplishments
- Acquired 25 acres of land at Helen Hayes
Hospital for future recreation facilities for Town residents
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