White Plains

Mayor Thomas Roach

In February of 2011, while serving as Council President, Tom became Acting Mayor. He was elected Mayor in a special election shortly thereafter and won election to his first full term in office in November 2013. Tom was re-elected to a second term in November 2017. On both occasions Tom won re-election with well over 70% of the vote.

During his time as Mayor, Tom has worked to maintain strong city services under difficult financial conditions by producing budgets compliant with the state mandated tax cap, maintaining the city’s AA1 credit rating, and improving its financial outlook to one that is “stable.” He has pioneered the use of new communications technologies in an effort to keep residents informed, particularly during severe weather events. Under his leadership, the project to finally cap the city’s landfill, which closed more than 30 years ago, was completed.

Tom has spearheaded important environmental and sustainability initiatives including banning the use of the dirtiest heating oils, creating the first dedicated bike lanes in the county, and establishing a network of electric vehicle charging stations in municipally owned parking structures. Under Mayor Roach, the city has streamlined the solar permitting process and has replaced all of its street lights with LEDs. It is also making energy efficient upgrades at city buildings and facilities. Tom initiated textile recycling at the City’s Gedney Yard. This initiative has diverted 46 tons of textiles from the waste stream since its inception in 2014.

In 2016, the City began to assess a recreation and parks impact fee on new multi-family residential developments. The fee is to be used to enhance existing city parks and playgrounds and to create new ones.

Under Mayor Roach’s leadership, the city completed a complex transaction to take control of the dilapidated, privately-held garage on Waller Avenue and replace it with a state of the art city-owned garage which has provided needed parking and an economic boost to the city.

Tom has served as a member of the Mass Transit Task Force for the new Tappan Zee Bridge, as the President of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, and President of the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM).