by David Flint
At a special meeting Wednesday evening, the Stephentown Town Board appointed Alden Goodermote to the position of Highway Superintendent. Goodermote will fill the position left vacant when Neil Gardner had to give up the post because of his recent conviction on 24 felony charges of possessing and filing false documents.
About 25 people attended the brief meeting, most of which was taken up by a 20-minute executive session. At the last meeting the Board created the new position of Deputy Highway Superintendent, and it was stated that the person filling that slot would probably head the Department through the end of 2009. But, according to Town Supervisor Tom Sherman, the Board received legal advice in the meantime that they had to fill the top position. The new Highway Superintendent will then have five days to appoint a Deputy. If that doesn’t happen the Board can make the appointment.
The resolution to appoint Goodermote passed 3-1-1 with Sherman, Larry Eckhardt and Mark Prescott voting yes, PJ Roder voting no and Chris Demick abstaining. The appointment is effective immediately and ends December 31, 2009. An election for Highway Superintendent will be held in November 2009.
In other business, the Board passed a resolution to hold a second public hearing regarding the preliminary 2009 budget on Monday, November 17, at 7 pm prior to their next regular meeting.