Catherine Galasso started as the village's new treasurer on Monday.

Galasso will be replacing Joan Crippen, who had announced her intention to retire after a 13-year tenure in the village office.

"I think the village is going to do well," said Crippen. " Cathy is picking up quickly. She has a good staff to work with."

"Hopefully I can use my knowledge in accounting to better the community," said Galasso on Tuesday. "There is a great bunch of people to work with here."

Galasso, who was born in the Bronx, had moved to Cooperstown four years ago after visiting the village several times with her family.

"I love it here," she said and explained that she would not go back.

With her Bachelors degree in accounting from Iona College in New Rochelle, she worked as comptroller for a leather manufacturer, importer and finisher for 15 years and most recently for Casella Waste.

"The accounting practices in the general public are different from municipal accounting," said Galasso. She expects a learning curve which will allow her to understand the difference in regulations among the two sectors. "I love challenges. I'm sure I'll come out ok."

When asked about her future plans, Crippen said she was planning to finish remodeling her home and spend more time with family and friends. She also hopes to do some volunteer work and possibly work part-time at some point down the line.

"She is very dedicated to the village," said Galasso.

"We're loosing a very valuable employee," Laura Lee, Village Clerk, said recently.

Since starting work in February of 1990, Crippen has seen the job grow as village government has become more and more complicated.

In a recent interview, Crippen said the biggest challenge she sees for the new treasurer will be keeping up with the work load.

"January is the least busy time of the year because once May comes, it gets busy. The payroll increases in the summer and the end of the fiscal year comes at the end of May."

Crippen has served under four mayors and said she is sorry to leave during Carol Waller's tenure. "I think she will be a good mayor," Crippen said recently

Mayor Waller said that Crippen had worked hard to put the village's financial house in order.

"I'm very sad she's leaving," the mayor said. "She's been an excellent treasurer."