Town Councilwoman

KRISTEN BURKE

Mom, attorney, and Town Councilwoman Kristen Burke wants to continue the progress made by the Town Board over the last four years. Kristen serves as the liaison for legal affairs, the courts, and the constables. Initially, Kristen helped the Town navigate the COVID pandemic. She has assisted in implementing sexual harassment training, implementing a Code of Conduct for employees, reviewing and editing the Employee Handbook, revising the Constable Handbook, and regularly advising on personnel-related matters. Kristen has fought for inclusivity in Town with the Pride flag and the holiday displays and has been leading sustainability efforts on the part of the Town, working with the Clean Energies Community and Sustainable Westchester on initiatives such as energy benchmarking. Kristen is currently working with Circuit to ascertain whether the Town could implement an EV rideshare program.

Family Life 

Kristen is married to Sidney Burke, who is also a lawyer and a recently elected member of the School Board. They have lived in Pelham since 2010, and have two children, Henry and Hannah, who are both in Pelham Middle School (8th and 6th grades), dog Libby and cat Jerome.

Key accomplishments by the Town Board during Kristen’s tenure:

  • Contracting with Eastchester to provide a dedicated ambulance in the Town of Pelham

  • Securing close to $1 million in grants for a new ambulance, EMS vehicle, constable van, and capital projects at the Daronco Town House

  • Sustainability efforts, including Benchmarking Resolution and assessing Town buildings’ energy usage, as well as the Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign

  • Increased services and activities for youth and seniors through the Pelham Recreation Department

In the area of greater transparency:

• New more readable/user friendly Town Website that is updated regularly by the Deputy Town Clerk

• Kristen drafts regular Town Board updates to keep the community apprised of work and open items

In the area of inclusiveness:

  • Advocated that the Pride flag be flown during the month of June at Gazebo Park and approved the Resolution declaring June Pride Month

  • Advocated for the Menorah and Kwanzaa displays during the holidays

  • Advocated and approved a Resolution declaring June Gun Violence Awareness month

 

Additional Background and Experience

  • General Counsel for Mercy University, February 2015–present

  • Is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)

  • Associate General Counsel for CUNY from 2007–2015

  • Assistant DA, Bronx DA’s Office, Rackets Bureau, Investigations Division, 2001-2007

  • AB, Harvard University cum laude; JD. Fordham Univ., MA, Poli Sci, Brooklyn College.

Additional Volunteer Work:

  • Head coach, Pelham Travel Soccer U12 Girls Wolfpack (previously Boys Mavericks)

  • Co-led the COVID-19 Task Force with Superintendent Champ in Spring 2021 to return Pelham schools to full-time in-person

  • Former PTA President at Colonial, 2017-2019

  • Former head of Huguenot Nursery School Parents' Committee, 2015-2017

  • Pelham Country Club Golf and Greens and Legal Committees (current)