In our Meet the Boards & Commissions series, MyRye.com will introduce readers to the boards and commissions of the City of Rye and the residents who run them. All volunteers, these residents give their time and expertise to keep our city running. The series is intended to bring visibility to what each board and commission does, its priorities and what might prompt a resident or another person or company to interact with the group.
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Meet the Landmark Advisory Committee and its Chair Alison Cupp Relyea.
Your Name: Alison Cupp Relyea
Board or Commission: Landmarks Advisory Committee
Your role: Chair
MyRye.com: What is the charter for your Committee?
Relyea: The role of the Landmarks Advisory Committee is to advise the City Council on historic districts and landmarks within the City of Rye. Our community has many buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a landmarked historic district along the Boston Post Road and a historically significant downtown business district as well. We are tasked with guiding the city regarding any changes to the historic, mapped districts or landmarks.
While the Landmarks Advisory Committee has been quiet for a few years, we have the expertise of Rex Gedney, a longstanding member, as well as a few new recently-appointed members with deep knowledge. Robin Jovanovich and I are new to the committee, along with the Rye Historical Society appointee, Teresa May.
Our role consists of the following responsibilities:
- We will serve as a liaison between existing landmarked buildings, historic districts, and history-focused nonprofits and the City Council
- We will consider initiatives for new landmark designations and bring those to the City Council
- We will look at the City of Rye as a whole and identify ways to promote history through existing and new initiatives
Looking at 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Relyea:
- We will revive the Rye welcome sign project that was underway in 2019
- We will find ways to bring representatives from the many landmarked buildings and their organizations together
- As an extension of this committee, we will work with the mayor and City Council to establish Rye as a Living Landmark, creating ways for residents to share stories of Rye past and present.
Would you be supportive of your meetings being broadcast and recorded by the City for public viewing?
Relyea: Yes, we will be supportive of this once we are in the practice of meeting. This committee’s first meeting with our new members is at the end of March. When we have had a chance to review priorities and get to work, we will be open to recording.
Who is the City Council liaison to your Committee for 2026?
Relyea: We are waiting for an appointment.
Tell us about the residents or others you interact with at your Committee.
Relyea: We will interact regularly with the following organizations and their executive directors and board members:
Rye Historical Society
Rye Town Park
Friends of Rye Playland
The Bird Homestead and Meeting House Conservancy
Jay Heritage Center
Wainwright House
…And more! The Rye Arts Center, Rye Nature Center, and many other spots in Rye have historical significance.
Looking back across 2025, what were your committee’s top achievements?
Relyea: The Board has been in flux for the past six years, since 2020. We are so excited to invigorate the committee and expand the work.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Relyea: I have been in this role since January, 2026
Who appointed you to this position, and what year were you appointed?
Relyea: Mayor Josh Nathan appointed me to this position.
Besides yourself, who is the longest serving person on your committee?
Relyea: Rex Gedney is the longest serving member.
When does your current appointed term expire?
Relyea: Dec. 31, 2028.
What is your day job?
Relyea: For five years, I was the director of programming and education at the Rye Historical Society. I left that role at the end of 2023 to pursue other teaching and writing opportunities. I write for the Rye Record and I am a writing professor at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Rockland County.
How much time does your role require in a typical month?
Relyea: I am not sure yet, but to date I have been spending a couple hours a week meeting people and talking to them about the committee work. Once meetings are underway, I imagine I will spend about 8-10 hours a month on this work.
If I took you to Jerry’s or Oakland Beach Deli for lunch this week, what would you order?
Relyea: Jerry’s spicy grilled chicken sandwich.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Relyea: I live on Halsted Place. We have lived in Rye since 2014 and in this house since 2015. I probably became interested in history because of our proximity to Rye Town Park, the Knapp House, and the Meeting House. It is hard to walk around Milton Point and not feel the history!
Thanks Alison!
Learn More:
Main Landmark Advisory Committee page on the City website
LinkedIn
Members of the Landmarks Advisory Committee:
Rex Gedney 12/27 (term expires)
Robin Jovanovich 12/28
Teresa May 12/28
Alison Relyea 12/28
