Frank DeMayo: A Community-Minded Problem SolverFor Frank DeMayo, community involvement has never been just about holding a title. It started with showing up. After moving from Long Island to Liberty in 1992, Frank became involved in local volunteer efforts and community projects. Through Liberty Alive, he helped support improvements to local parks and other community initiatives, including projects recognized through Sullivan Renaissance awards. Those early experiences helped shape a practical approach to local government: listen to people, understand the problem, and then figure out how to get something done. Frank first served as Liberty Town Supervisor from 2004 through 2007, after winning a close 2003 election by just four votes. During that first tenure, he focused on laying groundwork for the town’s future, including infrastructure studies, water supply planning, and zoning initiatives. When Frank returned to office in 2020, he found that many of the community’s infrastructure challenges had not gone away. Some projects had stalled, while others had become even more important as Liberty looked toward future growth. Water, sewer, roads, energy capacity and broadband may not always be glamorous topics, but they are the foundation of a community that wants to grow responsibly. A major part of Frank’s work has been bringing different partners to the table. Under his leadership, Liberty has pursued substantial state and regional funding for water and sewer improvements, while working with agencies including Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The town is currently managing roughly $35 million in grants for local projects. That work includes major investments in the community’s water supply and wastewater treatment systems. Frank sees these projects not simply as repairs, but as investments in Liberty’s ability to support homes, businesses and new economic opportunities. He also takes a forward-looking view of development. Frank has been involved in discussions about renewable energy, battery storage, data centers, broadband and the electrical capacity needed for future housing and commercial development. His view is that Liberty needs to understand both the opportunities and the limitations before making decisions about what comes next. There is also a distinctly practical side to his approach. Whether it is dealing with storm-damaged culverts, water pressure, aging municipal heating systems or the capacity of local utilities, Frank tends to focus on the nuts and bolts: What does the community need? What will it cost? Who can help? And how can the town get it done? That emphasis on partnerships extends well beyond town hall. Frank firmly believes that important (and expensive) community projects cannot be completed without teamwork. He regularly works with county, state and regional organizations, including his active participation in the Upper Delaware River Watershed Network. He also engages in broader environmental partnerships such as the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, where he recently participated in their annual conference and joined FUDR and other conservationists on a panel presentation to discuss the critical importance of partnerships and collaborations. After more than three decades in Liberty, Frank’s connection to the community is rooted in longevity as much as public office. He has seen the town change, watched old economic models give way to new possibilities, and remained focused on the infrastructure that makes everyday community life work. For Frank, progress is often less about grand gestures than about getting the basics right. For instance, improving the water system, fixing what is broken, finding the funding, planning ahead and bringing the right people together. In other words: show up, solve problems, and keep Liberty moving forward.
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