Canajoharie enacts local law to create Deputy Highway Superintendent position

The Canajoharie Town Board adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2026 on March 3, 2026, creating the Office of Deputy Highway Superintendent. Councilman Arthur Ulman sponsored the resolution accepting the local law; Councilman Darryl Easton seconded it, and the board recorded ayes for Town Supervisor William Armitstead, Councilmen Michael Ehrenreich, Raymond Kiefl, Darryl Easton and Arthur Ulman.

The law states that a Deputy Highway Superintendent shall be appointed by the Highway Superintendent and serve at the Superintendent’s pleasure. If the office of Highway Superintendent becomes vacant, a Deputy shall perform the duties of Superintendent until a replacement is appointed or elected; if the Superintendent fails to appoint a Deputy within five days after a vacancy, the Town Board may appoint one under limited conditions. The law requires the Deputy to take the Constitutional Oath of Office and allows the Town Board to fix any compensation. The local law cites NY Article 2, Chapter 36-A, § 10 (Municipal Home Rule Law) and § 32 of the Town Law as its authority and takes effect upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.

Board members described the law as a preparatory and administrative measure to ensure continuity of operations in the Highway Department. The text, as read at the meeting, also includes severability and an express statement that the appointment power is not intended to usurp the Highway Superintendent’s authority to appoint his own deputy. No public comments were recorded during the public hearing that opened the meeting and preceded the vote.

Next steps: the law is effective immediately upon filing; the board did not appoint a Deputy at the March 3 meeting.