Plane crashes in Windham

NEW LEBANON—Norm Rasmussen, a familiar face, is back on the Town Board following the resignation of town board member Britt Buckenroth. Ms. Buckenroth resigned shortly after the March town board meeting.
Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling said Ms. Buckenroth had too much happening in her life to feel she could devote the required time to the job. The supervisor said she felt it would be best to nominate a replacement who had no desire to seek the seat this November, in fairness to those who might. She indicated she knew just the person in former town board member Norm Rasmussen, who agreed to fill in for the rest of the year. The other board members concurred and approved Mr. Rasmussen’s appointment. He will fill out Ms. Buckenroth’s term until December 31. Ms. Buckenroth’s resignation means there will now be three council seats on the November ballot, 2 for 4-year terms and Buckenroth’s for 2 years to fill out the remainder of her term.
Also at the meeting, New Lebanon has been approved by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the speed limit on Main Street to 30 mph. It was previously “unposted,” which means vehicles could legally travel up to 55 mph, way too fast according to the Town Board. Since this is a town-owned road, it will be up to the town to erect the new speed limit signs. A request for a speed limit reduction on Extension Street was denied, DOT stated in their letter to the town a review of the roadway does not support a lower maximum speed limit. (more…)