The acting supervisor, William Bichteman, cannot vote on the town board but otherwise has most of the powers of town supervisor. Republican council members say they want to leave it this way until voters can choose their own supervisor in November.

Richard Rapp, who has been Westerlo’s supervisor for more than 40 years, left his post on Tuesday.

In Westerlo, Councilman William Bichteman will be stepping down in January. Bichteman has done the bulk of the work on many of the town’s projects in Westerlo, and his ouster has led to questions about what this means for the supervisor he has assisted.

A full slate of Republicans challenged the Democratic incumbents on the Westerlo Town Board and one of the GOP newcomers won a seat.

A Republican challenge didn't oust longtime Democratic supervisor, Richard Rapp. "We're doing fine," he said of Westerlo the day after residents gave him 55 percent of the vote.

Fueled by a bond defeat that would have upgraded town buildings, Republicans in this rural Hilltown, dominated by Democrats for decades, have put up a slate of candidates for the Nov. 3 election.

The Republican committee doesn't have any candidates for town board so far, but will support Democrat Keith Wright for highway superintendent.