Lorna Cherot Littleway is reporting for The Columbia Paper on the disagreement between Hillsdale Highway Superintendent Richard Briggs and Town Supervisor Peter Cipkowski. At the town board meeting on January 14, Briggs and Cipkowski had a lengthy exchange about whether it was appropriate for Cipkowski to meet privately with residents who reported issues with the work of highway department employees. “I am an elected official,” said Briggs, who noted that the town’s Red Handbook states the highway superintendent is responsible for brush removal. The disagreement between the two men originated from a Hunt Road resident's complaints about tree cutting. Briggs accused the resident of harassing highway department employees. He further noted the trees in question were cut by New York State Electric and Gas, and that the brush in question was being removed from a property next door to the complainant. “We don’t cut on people’s property without their permission,” Briggs said. He also characterized the interactions with the Hunt Road resident as “15 years of conflict.” Cipkowski said a few people have questioned the “town’s commitment to [the] preservation of narrow roads” and the beauty of the community. Board members Steve Tiger and Robina Ward suggested that complaints against town employees be made in writing. Ward said, “I am concerned if people are harassing highway employees.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.