Concurrent Sessions for Tuesday, April 1, 2025
There are four concurrent sessions, six presentations per session. Assessors have a morning and afternoon class. (Topics and speakers may change.)
ASSESSORS SESSION – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:15 pm to 4:15 pm
Architectural Features that Influence Property Values (Six-hour training course for assessors)
Rob Bick, AIA CSI, SCA
CONCURRENT SESSION 1 – 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
(1A) Crime and Fidelity: Protecting Your Municipal Financial Assets
Susan O’Rorke, New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal
Protecting your municipal financial assets is harder today than ever before. Fraud committed by officials and employees is on the rise. In addition, cyber criminals are expanding their use of social engineering and phishing to trick employees into making fraudulent transfers. The growth of fraud by criminals, both internal and external, has led the insurance industry to make changes to the crime and fidelity policies procured by local governments. We will review these changes including new and enhanced coverages that are available and discuss the various restrictions and sub limits to avoid. We will also discuss the red flags and warnings, along with internal policies that can prevent these types of losses.
(1B) Providing Fire Protection in Your Community
Dan Acquilano, Office of the NYS Comptroller, and Katie Hodgdon, Association of Towns of the State of New York
New York’s system for providing fire protection is complex, and many towns and villages are working hard to maintain fire protection for their citizens balanced with fiscal responsibility. Learn more about the challenges and solutions in this session.
(1C) Planning Board Overview
Local Government Training Program, NYSDOS
This basic course addresses the powers and duties of town, village, and city planning boards and commissions. The administrative and regulatory roles of the planning board, including its review of site plans, special use permits, and subdivision plats are discussed, along with the planning board’s role in the municipal comprehensive plan. The importance of board procedures, referral to the county planning agency, and making findings are also covered.
(1D) Proper Use of Alternate Members of Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeal
Mark Schachner (Esq.), Partner, Miller, Mannix, Schachner & Hafner, LLC.
This session will discuss how all existing provisions of law relating to training, continuing education, attendance, conflict of interest, compensation, eligibility, vacancy in office, compatibility of office and service on other boards, also apply to alternate members in the same manner as they apply to regular board members.
(1E) Freshwater Wetland Proposed Regulations Changes: An Overview
Changes to Part 664: Freshwater Wetlands Mapping & Classification
Krista Spohr, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
This presentation will outline the updates to NYS DEC’s Freshwater Wetlands Program, why the updates were needed, what the updates are and how they are being implemented.
(1F) Basics of Electronic Records Management
Michael Martin, NYS Archives
This session will introduce the basic principles of electronic records management. One of the biggest challenges facing records managers in the complexity of issues surrounding the management of electronic records. The goal should be to determine the most efficient way to management electronic records so that access for their entire retention period is ensured. We will focus on how to:
- Manage electronic record keeping systems of varied sizes and types
- File and maintain access to electronic records
- Control the retention and disposition of electronic records
- Develop security and other management controls over electronic record
- Preserve electronic records over long periods of time
CONCURRENT SESSION 2 – 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
(2A) Code Enforcement: What Every Local Official Should Know
Local Government Training Program, NYSDOS
(2B) Large Scale Renewable Energy Permitting and Local Governments
Charles Voss, NYS Department of Public Service
This presentation will be an introduction to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, and the Article VIII Wind, Solar and Transmission Regulatory Review Process
(2C) Land Use and SEQR Case Law Update
Matthew J. Fitzgerald, Phillips Lytle, LLP
This session will provide attendees with an overview of changes in the laws relating to land use and zoning in New York State. The latest cases from New York courts have been reviewed and the speaker will discuss new trends in municipal land use and zoning issues. The session will also include discussion about the latest decisions relating to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
(2D) Public Participation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Mark Schachner (Esq.), Partner, Miller, Mannix, Schachner & Hafner, LLC.
Public participation is a cornerstone of the planning and zoning process and a vital component of sound decision-making, but unstructured participation can actually impede the process. This session will discuss participation issues that arise in public hearing management, Open Meetings Law and Freedom of Information Law compliance with an eye (and ear) toward best planning and zoning decision-making practices.
(2E) Powering the Fleet – Alternatives to Gas and Diesel
David Orr, NYS LTAP Center, Cornell Local Roads Program and Scott Wajda-Griffin, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Change is coming to how we power our fleets. In this session, the speakers will discuss the alternatives to gas and diesel and provide ideas to help you manage your fleet into the future. They will also give an update on the ACT regulation with regards to public fleets.
(2F) Hot Topics for Clerks
Staff, The Association of Towns of the State of New York
This interactive session will discuss some of the more pressing questions that have arisen in clerk offices throughout the state over the past year, including, but limited to, how to address the new credit card surcharge posting requirements, videoconferencing board meetings, the new early voting requirements for special town elections, deputies, and any legislation impacting clerks coming out of the state budget.
CONCURRENT SESSION 3 – 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(3A) Fiscal Responsibilities of Governing Boards
Staff, NYS Society of Municipal Finance Officers, and Laird Petrie, Municipal Consultant
(3B) Lessons Learned From Solar Farm Battery Fire and Considerations for Development
Niel Rivenburgh, Jefferson County Emergency Services, and Will Lipczynski, Chaumont Fire Department
(3C) Navigating the Haze: Regulating Cannabis in Your Town
Sarah Brancatella, Association of Towns of the State of New York
An overview of regulatory options local governments have (and don’t have) related to marijuana, including adopting time, place and manner restrictions, and an update on current status of regulations.
(3D) General Municipal Law 239 and County Referrals
Kristin Campbell, Herkimer Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
This course will cover the referral of land use actions for County review under NYS General Municipal Law 239. The speaker will review qualifying actions, evaluation criteria, possible outcomes, the benefits of referral to the County and helpful tips.
(3E) Speed Limit Reduction – How to Establish Safe Speeds in Your Community
Jesse Vogl, LaBella Associates
Recent changes in New York State legislation have enabled municipalities to set area wide speed limits as low as 25 mph compared to the previously permitted 30 mph minimum. This change from 30 mph to 25 mph can transform local communities by promoting safer speeds and roadway designs that benefit all roadway users. Yet before a new area wide speed limit can be enacted, an engineering study is required to establish an appropriate speed limit that is safe, enforceable, fair, and accepted. This course will review federal, state, and local guidance and best practices as they relate to establishing a 25-mph area wide speed limit. We will cover the requirements set forth in the vehicle and traffic law and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and NYS Supplement for conducting a speed limit study, including identifying data needs and methods of analysis. In addition to the speed limit study, we will review steps to implementation including signing requirements. Lastly, we will touch on additional engineering methods to calm traffic that may be implemented in conjunction with a speed limit reduction to achieve safe speeds and promote local roadways that are safe for all users.
(3F) Employee Well-Being in the Public Sector
Michael Kenneally, NYS Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance and Bob Blaisdell, Wright Insurance
Mental health and well-being have become an increasingly important area of focus for public employers. Your work culture matters, and at every opportunity, positive work environments should be created where employees feel safe to seek help. Our training will include identifying and mitigating mental health hazards and PTSD in the workplace to improve workplace safety and employee morale.
CONCURRENT SESSION 4 – 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
(4A) Equalization Rates: What Are They and Why Do We Need Them Anyway?
Warren Wheeler, NYS Assessors Association
This quick seminar will take a deeper look into the use and understanding of the equalization rate and its effects on local taxpayers. After the seminar, attendees will have a better understanding of the process and reasons equalization rates can change so dramatically year over year.
(4B) Preparing for Grant Opportunities
Jay Grasso, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing
During this insightful session on navigating municipal grants, you will learn about State and Federal funding opportunities, how to create a strategic grant plan, effectively administer awarded grants, and strategies for moving forward if your application isn’t successful. Gain practical tools and expert advice to enhance your grant-seeking efforts and secure funding for your community including the use of Median Household and Low/Moderate Income surveys.
(4C) Regulating Short-Term Rentals
Dan Spitzer and Alicia Legland, Hodgson and Russ, LLP
(4D) Questions and Answers for Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals
Matthew J. Fitzgerald, Phillips Lytle, LLP
This is your chance to ask the expert about your burning legal questions. This session is an open-floor format for questions and answers about planning and zoning issues.
(4E) Abandoned Cemeteries and Municipal Responsibilities
David Fleming, Jr., Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne, LLP
This session will explore options available to towns in preventing cemetery abandonment, the issues towns face regarding abandoned cemeteries, and information on other burial and zoning considerations.
(4F) Write This Down: The Basics of Conducting Meetings and Taking Minutes
Wade Beltramo, New York Conference of Mayors and Staff, NYS Society of Municipal Finance Officers
Meetings are an integral part of local government. Well-run meetings can save time, minimize conflict, maximize efficiency, and instill confidence in the public that the local government officials are competently representing the community. Poorly run meetings, on the other hand, can create unending problems for local officials and erode the resident’s faith in their government institutions. This interactive session will highlight the dos and don’ts of conducting meetings and taking minutes. The basics of the Open Meetings Law will be covered, and the importance of having written meeting procedures and what should be in them will be highlighted. In addition, the session will include a discussion of the many ways of drafting minutes, and the pros and cons of each.