Welcome to
The Partnership for Community Development
Our Mission:
We are a partnership of the Village of Hamilton, Town of Hamilton, and Colgate University that engages the public and uses our resources to advance economic prosperity and enhance community vitality.
History
In August 1998, representatives from the Town, Village, and Colgate University met to discuss opportunities for a cooperative project that would revitalize the local economy and enhance quality of life for residents. This was the first time in recent memory that the town, village, and university had come together to discuss their common concerns. Major issues raised included small business development, downtown facade improvements, and restoring the Village Green.
The Partnership for Community Development was incorporated as a non-profit in 1999. In keeping with the collaborative nature of our founding, we bring together our three partners as well as other local governments and community organizations to facilitate collaborative projects. Although our base of operations is in Hamilton, we understand that true prosperity and sustainability happen on a regional scale, with diverse partners working together.
Our Team
Jocelyn Gavitt, ASLA
Executive Director,
Secretary of the Board
Jocelyn Gavitt joined the Partnership for Community Development as Executive Director in April 2022. In this role, she leads community-based planning efforts and the organization as a whole. A licensed landscape architect with many years of community design and development experience, she brings a holistic view, engaging the community and its partners to bring about positive change.
“Hamilton is a gem in upstate NY with so much opportunity. And this organization fosters a unique collaboration among the community members, the Village, Town and Colgate University. We have a great team that is working to make this area the best it can be.”
Laura Caughlan, AICP
Senior Planner
Laura Caughlan has been with the Partnership for Community Development since 2017. As the senior planner, she works on grant applications and administration and works with local government and other community groups on community development initiatives. She loves living in Hamilton for its quiet neighborhoods and having everything within walking distance.
“I enjoy the variety in the work I do. I’ve worked on projects involving climate action, zoning, outdoor recreation, economic development, farmland preservation, etc., so I’ve built a lot of different skills since I’ve been here. I also like being able to see the impacts of my work on the community.”
Hannah Reece
Hub Director
Hannah Reece joined the PCD team as the Director of The Hub in October 2024. Hannah has offered creative expression initiatives at the heart of the local community through diverse programming and as the founder of a Waldorf Forest School and bean-to-bar artisan chocolate maker with Lioness Chocolate Co. She has represented farmers at origin in the ethical cacao trade industry and worked with tech defense startups, supporting innovation and growth at the seed stage of business. Passionate about helping fellow visionaries bring their ventures to life, Hannah is excited to foster entrepreneurial success through The Hub.
Brigette Hughes
Administrator
Brigette has been the administrator for the Partnership for Community Development since 2019. She manages thousands of dollars of funding coming in and out of the office, ensures grant activities are well-documented and on-schedule, oversees all HR needs for PCD, and interfaces with grantees and donors.
Brigette was born and raised in Lebanon, NY and moved back to the area to be closer to her family after spending 20 years in North Carolina. When she made the decision to move home to NY, Brigette wanted to be part of an organization that helps local businesses and residents. She’s excited to say that her position as Administrator with PCD allows her to be part of a team that does just that!
Board Members
Our Board’s make-up is intended to reflect PCD’s geographic reach, focus on community vitality, and our ongoing commitment to the collaboration between the Town and Village of Hamilton, Colgate University, and community residents.
Mary Dinski, President
Mary Dinkski is Deputy Executive Director of the Fiver Children’s Foundation as well as a Hamilton Town Council Member.
“Growing up in Hamilton has helped me to recognize and appreciate the importance of a strong community. Serving on the PCD board allows me to support and help strengthen a community that has given so much to me over the years.”
Jeff Coakley
Jeff Coakley is the President & CEO of Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. He moved to Hamilton in the fall of 2020 after leaving Oswego Hospital. He has previously served as President of the Oswego Chamber of Commerce and a longtime member of the Fulton Kiwanis Club and currently serves on the Madison County Rural Council Board. Jeff is very passionate about supporting the community he lives in. He says, “There is a true sense of community here in Hamilton and I look forward to serving on the Board for the PCD.”
Corey Mosher, Vice President
Corey Mosher is a fourth-generation farmer and a partner in Mosher Farms in Bouckville.
Russ Lura, Village Representative
Russ Lura is currently retired, after serving as the Madison County Planning Director for 22 years and as assistant to the Chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors and budget officer for 3 years. He has been on the Village of Hamilton Board of Trustees for 10 years.
Joanne Borfitz, Colgate Representative
Joanne Borfitz is the Associate Vice President for Community Affairs and Auxiliary Services in Colgate’s Department of Community Affairs. She has helped facilitate many discussions between the university and the Hamilton community.
Britty O’Connor, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
Britty is a Colgate ’12 alum and has been a full-time resident of Hamilton since 2015. She owns and operates three businesses in town with her husband, Brendan – Flour and Salt Cafe, Flour and Salt Bakery, and Martha’s On Madison. She has held positions on the Hamilton Community Chest board and the Chenango Nursery School board and is also the head of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. She is grateful to be a member of the PCD board and is excited to contribute to the ongoing development of the village.
Peter Radosta, Treasurer
Peter Radosta works as an environmental engineer, serving municipalities with drinking water and wastewater treatment solutions for regulatory compliance and infrastructure improvements.
“Being involved with PCD is a rewarding way to be engaged in the vitality of our community, and to share personal experiences and skill sets collaboratively with other volunteers and PCD staff. The Hamilton area breathes everything I revere––outdoor recreation, all-things-local, and the charm of rural living.”
Brendan O’Connor
Shari Taylor
Shari Taylor was born and raised in Earlville, NY and returned here to raise her own family. She has been involved in the community for many years, including community theater, the Earlville Events, Committee, and as an EMT and member of the Earlville Fire Department.
Rachel Amann-Burns
Rachel Amann serves as Program Coordinator for the LifeLong Learning Program and HCS Foreign Language Program at the Upstate Institute at Colgate University.
She loves this area for its wide-open spaces, its peace, and the opportunities for engagement.
Bill Dowsland
Bill Dowsland has been with Hamilton Central School for 28 years and currently serves as Superintendent of Schools. In this role,he has led district-wide initiatives to improve educational outcomes, support staff development, promote social-emotional learning, facilitate capital projects, and strengthen community partnerships. He values the transformative power of learning and is dedicated to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.
