ORLEANS COUNTY/Clarendon Historical Society moves forward after meeting on Wednesday evening

Clarendon Historical Society member Raymond Santoro has been filling in as temporary treasurer since February, after the Clarendon Historical Society was turned upside down and President and Financial Controller Melissa Ierlan allegedly stole more than $50,000 in Society funds which was allegedly used for personal gain. According to the felony complaint, the alleged thefts occurred between December 16, 2020, and September 27, 2025.

Previously: ORLEANS COUNTY/Clarendon/Plea deal offered in Ierlan case – Video News Service

The claim was made after a NYS Police investigation in December of 2025. Additionally, in 2023, Ierlan allegedly falsified meeting minutes in order to collect a $102,752 life insurance policy from a deceased community member, part of which was allegedly used for personal gain. The larceny amount was calculated as a result of a forensic audit conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller.

“We had a meeting in February, it got very contentious,” says Santoro.

During the February meeting, Fred Seeman, Melissa’s husband, and Clarendon Town Supervisor, Marc Major had some words. Santoro says he decided to end the meeting after the exchange.

“I was hoping tonight wouldn’t get like that and it didn’t. My thing is I want this group to continue on, it’s a great historical organization, they’ve done a lot of fantastic things, especially since it’s such a small community. They got the museum, they got the schoolhouse, they have parades, they do all kinds of things, and of course Melissa was the strength behind everything, but we needed to move on and get new people in, I think these three people we got are going to be great, I feel very good about tonight.”

Pictured- five members of the historical society who are family members and supporters of Melissa Ierlan raise their hands to vote no, on moving forward with electing new interim officers. By a 7-5 vote, members decided to move forward with electing new interim officers on Wednesday evening.

Members submitted names on a piece of paper and placed the paper ballots in a hat to elect the treasurer. Of the two people interested, Erik Hoak, pictured below was elected. Eugenia Mathis was the other candidate. Each briefly spoke about their qualifications.

Peter Turkow was elected President and was the only candidate.

Crystal Gurney will remain as secretary.

Nyla Gaylord with Orleans Community Connects addresses the Clarendon Historical Society members on Wednesday evening. She says she plans to assist the members in the future and get them on the right path.

“I gotta tell ya, this is the biggest mess I ever did see, and business cannot go on as usual,” Nyla Gaylord told those in attendance during her presentation about the constitution and bylaws of the Clarendon Historical Society.

“I want to be very, very, clear, nobody related to our previous president, Melissa, can be an officer. The attorney General is very clear about that. The consultants I checked with are very clear about that. It’s not to say that people don’t have the skills, it’s not to imply any culpability on the part of anybody in the family, it’s just the way to do proper business,” Gaylord told the members.

Gaylord is part of Orleans Community Connects, a non-profit organization that is available to help other non-profits along with municipal and county governments. Gaylord, who is a Clarendon resident, also attended February’s meeting where members discussed possible president candidates to replace Melissa Ierlan, who has remained as president and has been paying the bills up until tonight’s meeting. Ierlan is a lifetime member.

“We have to show that we are proceeding forward in an organized, thoughtful appropriate fashion,” Gaylord says.

“This is not something that will come overnight to a conclusion. There’s many, many, different things we need to get into place. The first one in phase one is emergency containment, 0-72 hrs., we’re a little behind. Governance lockdown, identify lawful mechanism and to appoint interim board. Confirm that no unauthorized individuals retain authority. Only three people have any authority, they are the people we elect today. Remove all prior banking and system access. I would recommend a different bank. Disable former leadership credentials. The organization needs a fiscal system. Two signatures are required for expenditures and deposits.”

Gaylord recommended the organization use QuickBooks, currently they are using pen and paper.

The three people elected as president, treasurer, and secretary will serve on an interim basis until elections in November.