After resignations, Berne Town Board at a standstill

BERNE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Berne government has its hands tied after three board members resigned. Seven weeks later and no one has filled the positions, leaving the two remaining members unable to pass anything.

As first reported by The Altamont Enterprise, Councilmembers Al Thiem, Leo Vane Jr., and Joe Martin resigned from what's being called a "hostile work environment." Town meetings continue to happen in Berne, but the Clerk said nothing is able to be passed.

"Working in the environment of Mr. Dennis Palow; his lack of respect of fellow board members was something we were not going to put up with," Thiem told NEWS10 over the phone. "I was reprimanded more than once for affiliating with people who weren't in our party."

Town officials have acknowledged something had happened between all three and the supervisor. Supervisor Palow did not want to respond to NEWS10's request for comment.

The Clerk said the problem with town government right now is there is no longer a "quorum," or enough board members to pass resolutions. To fix this problem, Governor Kathy Hochul would have to appoint new members but the Town has not heard back from her office.

If a budget for 2025 cannot be passed, Berne would be using the same budget as last year. Highway Superintendent Randy Bashwinger said it was already tight this year and he currently can't buy any new equipment or finish repairs. He adds that it would have been for the best if the board members worked out their problems instead of leaving the town in a sticky situation.

Some residents in Berne who didn't want to speak on camera said they have mixed feelings about the dispute. NEWS10 also reached out to Hochul's office and has not heard back yet.