Putnam Valley's supervisor is fighting town board members in the courtroom over the hiring of his partner as his assistant.

Supervisor Sam Davis hired his domestic partner, Dawn Powell, as his confidential assistant when he took office last January. The town board responded by censuring Davis for what it calls ?self dealing? in Powell?s hiring. The board also cut Powell?s salary by $10,000. Davis and Powell have filed suit against the board, saying they did nothing wrong.

Many residents told News 12 Hudson Valley they are upset the case is taking resources away from bigger town issues. Davis says the censure is a smoke screen to stop his plans for progress in the town.