William Murray is a twice-elected New Paltz Village Trustee and dedicated interior volunteer firefighter, honored twice as Firefighter of the Year. He has served nine years on the Ulster County Planning Board and acted as the Village Board liaison for several committees, including the New Paltz Planning Board, Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and Historic Preservation Commission.

As Village Trustee, he led the passage of a residential fire sprinkler law, collaborated with former New York State Senator Jen Metzger to secure increased retirement funds for volunteer firefighters, and played a key role in saving a dilapidated house set to become a Black history and cultural center. He also advocated early for the Village’s Short Term Rental law and established the Ulster County Padraig Julius Tobin Flusser Economic and Social Justice Scholarship for high school graduates.

Murray was instrumental in the construction of the New Paltz firehouse, an $8 million project recognized for its energy efficiency. With a 40-year career advocating for cross-cultural performing and visual arts, his priorities include affordable housing, workforce development, and climate protection. He is committed to creating solutions for aging in place, preventing drug infiltration in our communities, supporting legislation for diverse and marginalized populations, and expanding County services, including a micro-transit system and updating water and sewer infrastructure.

Murray, born and raised in Binghamton, NY, is married to a public school teacher and is the proud father of three. He is a graduate of Yale University (MFA) and Marquette University (BA).