The Greenburgh Town Board voted Wednesday night to remove Planning Board chairman Hugh Schwartz in the aftermath of an ethics complaint.

Schwartz's removal was followed by the resignation of Planning Board member Walter Simon.

Schwartz says his removal was in retaliation for a decision by some Planning Board members to start an organization aimed at getting grant money to build affordable housing in the county.

Some town board members felt that could be a conflict of interest.

Dylan Pyne was appointed to fill Schwartz's seat.

Town Supervisor Paul Feiner sought to delay the date that Pyne would start but that was rejected.

The office of the town attorney released a statement that says in part, "On behalf of the town council and town attorney: The ethics complaint filed against four town council members and the town attorney contains numerous factual inaccuracies; shares opinions, speculation and conspiracy theories disguised as fact. It is unfortunate that we must take time to rebut this frivolous complaint but intend to do so to our fullest capabilities."

Schwartz responded to the statement from the town attorney.

It says in part, "I can assure you the facts in the complaint are accurate. Whether or not it rises to the level where the Board of Ethics feels it necessary to find retaliation is a matter of judgement left to the Board Ethics."