Councilman Jason M. Moskowitz - Town of Niskayuna, NY

01/01/2026

As my time on the Town Board comes to an end in just a few short hours, I’ve taken some time recently to reflect on the last four years and the journey that led me here.

I’ll never forget driving down Rt. 7 as I made the decision that I wanted to run for office. Within a few weeks I was out knocking on doors and collecting signatures to get my name on the ballot. Campaigning was an incredible experience – from knocking on hundreds and hundreds of doors to meeting people in every corner of town, listening to and discussing their concerns, and reconnecting with people that I’ve known for years, I truly enjoyed every minute of it. I was the highest vote-getter in the 2021 election, and it was incredibly humbling to know that I had earned my hometown‘s trust.

Together, as a team and as a community, we have accomplished so many great things. I am proud to have supported legislation to place four of our police officers in the correct retirement system after nearly 20 years. I was also proud to support legislation protecting quality of life in our neighborhoods by restricting short-term rentals. It was a privilege to sponsor a resolution honoring Isabella Sementilli for her bravery and unwavering dedication to helping her community. As a volunteer firefighter and former EMT, protecting life and safety is of utmost importance to me. To that end, I enjoyed hosting the Town’s first ever bi-annual American Red Cross blood drives, and thanks to several very generous donors, I was able to have AED’s installed in our Town’s sports complexes. As Chairman of the Community Programs Committee, I worked hard to protect funding for our senior programs and maintain our lunch program at the Senior Center. As Chairman of the Water, Sewer and Engineering Committee, the Town finally realized hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue from our organic waste program at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. I was also proud to advocate for traffic safety along Niskayuna’s Route 7 corridor, and to support fully staffing our now accredited Police Department.

While my name was on all of these resolutions, the truth is that none of it would’ve happened without our overwhelmingly talented and dedicated workforce. Our Town employees are the ones who make it all happen. It has truly been an honor to work alongside of the people who make Niskayuna a great place to raise a family.

Lastly, thank you to our residents and the community for trusting me. I made every single decision with the taxpayers in the forefront, and I did my best every single day to make decisions that would improve the quality of life for my neighbors and my community.

While this may be the end for now, it is just a pause, and I look forward to coming back strong in another capacity.

Until then, stay safe, and happy new year!

09/11/2025

This morning‘s annual ceremony at Town Hall was incredibly moving, just as it is every year, as we sounded the 5-5-5-5 and paused to remember the tragic attack on our nation that occurred 24 years ago. Thank you, Chief Friderici, for organizing this remembrance and for encouraging us to never forget. Also, thank you to all of the Town employees, community members, and members of the clergy who joined us.

05/31/2025

The Town Board last week recognized the Niskayuna Community Foundation with a ceremonial resolution (resolution posted in comments) commemorating their 25th anniversary. Since it was founded in 2000, the Foundation has donated nearly a million dollars to Niskayuna programs, special events, and public safety initiatives. In 2023, I was honored to have received a $5,000 grant from the Foundation to support my AED program. That grant allowed us to successfully install AED's in Town parks. We, as a community, are better because of organizations like this.

04/15/2025

Check out my exclusive interview with WRGB CBS 6 News, Albany where I discuss how a group of unelected right-wing committee members robbed the voters of their choice. When I ran for office four years ago, I promised that I would always put the taxpayers above the petty politics. If this is the price that I have to pay for refusing to be the party’s puppet, so be it. Read the full story here: https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/niskayuna-councilmember-ends-re-election-bid-amid-signature-dispute

04/12/2025

NISKAYUNA TOWN COUNCILMEMBER JASON MOSKOWITZ RESPONDS TO BOARD OF ELECTIONS DETERMINATION DECLARING DESIGNATING PETITIONS INVALID

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 12, 2025

NISKAYUNA, NY – Councilmember Jason M. Moskowitz (R), Niskayuna, whose current term expires on December 31, 2025, announces today that his campaign for reelection has concluded.

Moskowitz, 35, a lifelong Niskayuna resident, spent the last several weeks circulating designating petitions throughout the Town to earn a place on the June primary election ballot after the Niskayuna Republican Committee failed to endorse his candidacy, something he says is a result of their differing opinions related to Town governance.

“When I ran for the Niskayuna Town Board four years ago, I stood strong on the principle that party lines have no place in our town,” Moskowitz said. “Republican party leadership didn’t take well to the fact that I answered to the residents before I answered to them, and there was a price to pay for choosing principles over politics.”

After failing to receive the Republican endorsement, Moskowitz took to the streets to obtain the required number of signatures needed for a primary election. “The positive feedback I received as I spoke with residents was humbling. I was impressed by how astute and supportive residents were, and felt confident that my decision to run despite the absence of local Republican leadership was the right one,” he said.

On April 3, the last date for filing nominating petitions, Moskowitz filed the legally required number of signatures to secure his right to appear on the primary ballot. On Thursday, April 10, Moskowitz received notification that Linda Rizzo, a Niskayuna Republican Committee member (and recently a Niskayuna Democratic Committee member), filed objections to Moskowitz’s petition filing, and that a hearing to determine the validity of Moskowitz’s petition signatures would be held the following morning.

In an email to the Board of Elections sent the evening before the scheduled hearing, immediately after receiving notice, Moskowitz requested an adjournment of the hearing to allow for time to retain an attorney, review the objections, and prepare a response. Just moments before the hearing was scheduled to commence, he was notified by Darlene Harris, who is both the County Board of Elections Commissioner and the Chair of the County Republican Committee, that his request was denied.

“I was the first Republican elected as a town board member since 1997. Instead of supporting my efforts to represent residents, the local Republican party leadership sought to undercut and undermine me at every turn, including most recently with the challenge to my petitions. And although the law provides for due process involving a hearing to review their challenges, I was afforded no such thing. I had less than 18 hours notice of the scheduled hearing and was thus given no opportunity to mount a meaningful defense. It is disgusting that a group of people, who are unelected, have the authority to undermine the electoral process and completely rob the voters of their choice.”

He added, “the Niskayuna Republican leadership, a handful of right-wing crazies, doesn’t care about what’s best for Niskayuna residents. They don’t believe in bipartisanship. They don’t want people who will work together. They want disrupters. You don’t have to take my word for it, listen to the handful of disrupters during privilege of the floor at Town Board meetings and in the letters they send to the editor. All they do is scream and complain. Sadly, they do not represent the rank-and-file Republicans, nor anyone in Niskayuna.”

The Councilman plans to complete the remainder of his term honorably, saying: “I have served ethically and always with the best interests of the taxpayers in mind. I plan to continue doing exactly that for the remainder of my term, and beyond. There are so many other ways to effectuate positive change, and I look forward to working with all Niskayunans to do so. Serving this community has been the honor of a lifetime.”
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03/05/2025

I joined Assemblyman Robert Smullen, Senator Patricia A. Fahy, Erin for Niskayuna Supervisor, my Town Board colleagues, local law enforcement officials, and members of the community yesterday to unveil this memorial sign in memory of AJ Smullen who tragically lost his life last year as the result of a crash on Rt. 7. This sign will not only keep AJ's memory in our hearts, but it will hopefully remind motorists of the importance of obeying the speed limit and driving safely. I support Assemblyman Smullen's legislation (A.3938) related to the AJ Smullen Traffic Safety Memorial Law, and while we as a Town are utilizing all of the resources available to us, we can't do this alone. I call on motorists to slow down and obey vehicle and traffic laws, and I call on the State to implement whatever means are necessary to prevent any further tragic loss of life on this dangerous highway. Thank you to the Niskayuna Police Department, Schenectady Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police for their blanket patrols, increased presence and extra efforts in protecting the community along this stretch of road.

02/26/2025

The Town Board last evening unanimously appointed Evan Pettus to the position of Police Officer in the Niskayuna Police Department. Welcome to the Department, Officer Pettus, and best wishes for a long and safe career!

02/16/2025

So nice to see this letter to the editor in today’s The Daily Gazette of Schenectady as yet another winter storm rolls through Town. Thank you, Ms. Strosberg, for recognizing our municipal employees!

02/09/2025

❄️ 🏈 Huge shout out to our highway crews who were up and at it very early on this Superbowl Sunday! Took a drive through some neighborhoods and couldn’t believe how clear the roads were. The third picture, taken around 9:45AM, is a true testament to how hard they work!

02/07/2025

“I've lived here my whole life and I wanted to do what was right for the community,” Moskowitz said. “Doing what was right for myself or for any particular political party was never my intent and obviously the local political party did not take well to that...” ..."I don't feel that I'm extreme to any of the political parties, but again, all that matters locally is that we do the right thing for the town, for the people who elected us,” Moskowitz said.

The Republican incumbent, who intends to run against local GOP-endorsed newcomers Michael Randall and Robert Curto in a primary, has yet to dismiss running an independent bid to get in the general election this fall.

02/03/2025

🚔 MOVE OVER! IT’S THE LAW! Thankful that nobody was seriously injured in what could have been a tragedy. Please drive safely!

02/03/2025

The Town has received calls and messages regarding discolored water from a small number of homes overnight and this morning. The discoloration was due to water main repair work that took place Sunday evening on River Road. Residents that are experiencing discolored water should run their cold water until it clears. Residents do not need to boil their water before drinking. Please call (518) 386-4520 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.

The Town has received calls and messages regarding discolored water from a small number of homes overnight and this morning.  The discoloration was due to water main repair work that took place Sunday evening on River Road.  Residents that are experiencing discolored water should run their cold wa...