Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Cairo Highway Superintendent Robert Hempstead is under investigation based on allegations that he misused town funds when he paved county roads without a shared services agreement in place. The whole thing started with a post on social media last week, and the town board is now looking into the matter with the guidance of legal counsel and the New York State Association of Towns. Hempstead defended the “handshake agreement” and described it as a “mutual bond and trust.” Town Supervisor Daniel Benoit said, “Whether [Hempstead] may face criminal charges or be held personally liable to repay the town is under investigation." He declined to say if the superintendent's job is in jeopardy, but pointed out that Hempstead's term ends in December and that he does not intend to run for re-election. Hempstead allegedly patched portions of County Route 85 and County Route 41 and worked on a bridge over the Shinglekill Creek, Benoit said. Hempstead said he had a verbal agreement for the work with the county’s foreman, James Wilson. “No one has shared-service agreements with the county,” Hempstead said. “We share services every day but there is no shared-service agreement per se. There is nothing sinister about it; ...” Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.