In a surprise turnaround, Schoharie County supervisors Friday afternoon agreed to overturn Chairman Harold Vroman's decision to change committees in the spring.
The board's split vote did what a lawsuit by eight supervisors could not; it returned the committees to their original membership before Mr. Vroman changed them in April.
Nine supervisors agreed to overturn Mr. Vroman's decision and return the committees the way they were.
The county board held a similar vote in June. Switching their votes since then were Carl Barbic of Seward and Tony VanGlad of Gilboa.
After Mr. Vroman changed the committees in April, eight supervisors brought a lawsuit to vacate those changes. The lawsuit was dismissed by Supreme Court Justice Eugene Devine in August.
Shortly after supervisors returned from their lunch break on Friday, Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer made a motion to reconsider the chairman's decision and return the committees to their original formation.
County attorney Mike West said a motion to reconsider usually occurs later in the same meeting or at the following meeting, but it is not a hard and fast rule.
"Historically, in the past, we haven't gotten hung up on that rule," he said.
The rule has never been used to overturn a decision by the chairman, he noted.
Mr. West said he was surprised by the motion and had no other opinion.
Phil Skowfoe of Fulton then "called the question," ending any other discussion.
Voting in favor of reconsidering and reversing the chairman's decision were: Mr. Barbic, Larry Bradt of Carlisle, Mike Brandow of Conesville, James Buzon of Middleburgh, Sandra Manko of Sharon, Gene Milone of Schoharie, Mr. Skowfoe, Mr. VanGlad and Mr. VanWormer.
All but Mr. VanGlad had signed on to the lawsuit that was dismissed.
Voting against the motion were: Anne Batz of Broome, Bill Goblet of Wright, Richard Lape of Richmondville, Bob Mann of Blenheim, Tom Murray of Cobleskill, Dan Singletary of Jefferson, and Mr. Vroman, of Summit.
In a separate vote, it was agreed to make the changes effective on September 24.
After the vote, Mr. VanGlad said he changed his vote because "there's only three months left in the year;" committee assignments could change in 2013.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Singletary said he would be returning as chairman of the personnel committee.
Mr. Skowfoe asked him, "Are you a man of your word?"
Mr. Skowfoe explained that at a previous meeting Mr. Singletary said he would not return as chairman of the personnel committee.