Kaitlin Lembo is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Coxsackie Village Fire Chief Barry Rausch has been reinstated after serving a one-month suspension. Rausch resumed his regular duties January 16. Under the disciplinary settlement agreement reached between the chief and the village board January 8, Rausch pleaded guilty to six of 11 charges against him, including misconduct, insubordination and neglect of duty. HIs term expires in April, according to the settlement. “The village is pleased that the matter is closed, but the issues raised will foster discussion and changes down the road in the fire department,” Mayor Mark Evans added. “Chief Rausch has returned...to serve out the remainder of his term.” Rausch admitted to failing to attend or send representatives to various county meetings; failing to provide adequate fire prevention training to Coxsackie Elementary School; failing to communicate with officers and members of the fire department, and the mayor; and, for using the department's emergency text messaging system to invite and encourage fire department members to attend the open house of a proposed modular home project under development. Rausch is a 40-year veteran of the fire department and a lifelong resident of Coxsackie. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.