ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany County Legislature appointed former Department of Public Works Commissioner Darrell R. Duncan, a Democrat, as representative of the 38th district, which is made up of parts of the towns of New Scotland and Bethlehem. The position was vacated by Michael Mackey, who became a Supreme Court justice in the state’s Third Judicial District. A resident of New Scotland, Duncan was also the former town highway superintendent.

At a meeting on Monday, the Democrat-dominated county legislature voted in Duncan, 30 to 3. Minority leader Frank Mauriello recommended Timothy Stanton, a Republican, championing him as a local farmer and businessman. Stanton, a resident of Feura Bush, owns Stanton Feura Farms and Markets. A vote on his appointment failed, 25 to 8.

Duncan was sworn into office at the meeting, but will have to run for election in November to keep his seat.

Duncan has lived in New Scotland his whole life, and worked for the town for almost 20 years. He hopes that his history with the town and county helps in his work as a legislator.

“I think that’s a good rapport to have,” he said of his background with the county.

Duncan said he is interested in projects like the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail and in public works, and suggested that the town could maintain a relationship with the county with shared services.

He noted the salt shed that the town of Berne shares with the county and said that similarly fuel storage could be shared, saving the taxpayers money by consolidating such services.

According to the adopted 2016 county budget, Duncan has left a full-time position with a salary of $92,859 for a part-time position at a salary of $22,187. He left the commissioner post this month.

Duncan has submitted an application to the New Scotland Planning Board for a special use permit to allow the operation of an agricultural supply facility on New Scotland South Road. Duncan said at the Jan. 10 New Scotland Planning Board meeting that the application should have been in the property owner’s, Gary Guyette, name, but he submitted it on Guyette’s behalf as Guyette was currently in Florida.