Gail Heinsohn is reporting in the Chatham Courier the New Lebanon Town Board recently voted to increase the salary of the town supervisor by nearly 300 percent next year, and eliminated the town bookkeeper position, as well. The move came during public deliberation on the town's 2016 budget. A comment at the Chatham Courier website by Joanna Smith provided some insight into the board's decision: The bookkeeper was identified as outgoing supervisor Mike Benson's confidential secretary. Benson lost his bid for re-election earlier this month to town clerk Colleen Teal. At the budget meeting, the board also voted to maintain funding of the fire department at the same level as the past four years and to select the "gold" health insurance contract for town employees, notwithstanding a 15 percent increase in the cost of premiums next year. The board also opted to use less of the town's fund balance than recommended by Benson. The contentious meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss pending litigation. Read the full story in the Chatham Courier.