by Rachel Hunter
The Town of Fowler called an emergency meeting on Feb. 2 to address the future leadership of its Highway Department following the unexpected passing of Highway Superintendent Randy L. Durham Sr. Durham, who died on Feb. 1, had served in the elected position since first winning the seat in 2015 and was in the midst of his third four‑year term.
Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine said the Town of Fowler extends its deepest sympathy to the Durham family, noting that the sudden loss has deeply shaken the community and the many colleagues who worked closely with Durham over the years.
Town officials met to assess immediate operational needs, determine interim oversight, and outline next steps to ensure continuity within the department. Durham’s long tenure and hands‑on leadership left a lasting imprint on Fowler’s highway operations, prompting the board to act swiftly to stabilize the department during the transition.
After a focused 10‑minute deliberation, the Fowler Town Council appointed Nelson Bice—who had served as Deputy Highway Superintendent under Randy Durham—to assume the role of Town of Fowler Highway Superintendent. As part of the transition, Bice will be responsible for appointing the next Deputy Highway Superintendent.
The Town of Fowler Council and Supervisor Newvine noted that the vacant Highway Superintendent seat will appear on the ballot in the November 2026 General Election, when voters will choose someone to complete the remainder of the current term. Under New York’s recently adopted shift to even‑year town elections, the office is now part of a statewide transition schedule designed to align all townwide positions with the new cycle. Because the Highway Superintendent’s regular election would have occurred in 2027 under the old system, state law requires a one‑time, three‑year term to bridge the transition. As a result, candidates will run again in 2027 for a three‑year term covering 2028–2030. Beginning in 2030, the office returns to its standard four‑year cycle, with the next full‑term election held that year and every four years thereafter. This structure ensures that all townwide offices across New York ultimately land on the same even‑year election schedule, as mandated by the 2023 election reform law.
Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine informed the Town Council that neighboring municipalities—including the Town and Village of Gouverneur and the Town of Edwards—had reached out with calls of support following the sudden passing of Highway Superintendent Randy L. Durham Sr. The outreach reflects the deep respect Durham earned among North Country road crews and highlights his pivotal role in fostering intermunicipal cooperation. Under his leadership, Town of Fowler actively participated in shared services agreements that strengthened winter plowing, emergency response, and equipment sharing—partnerships that continue to shape how rural highway departments support one another across the region.
The next regular meeting of the Town of Fowler Council will be held on Monday, February 9, 6 p.m., in the Fowler Town Hall, 87 Little York Road, Fowler. For more information, call 315-287-0045.