Technical & Issue Papers

When topics arise that are of concern to many Tug Hill municipalities, commission staff develops issue or technical papers to provide information and background in a concise, organized manner. Issue papers explore more complicated topics important to the region, where technical papers describe how to do something or provide data-driven information. Below is a listing of our current papers, as well as links to other websites with useful information.
ISSUE PAPERS
Understanding the New Regulatory Standards for Animal Shelters, June 2025, NEW!!
Ambulance Service in Rural NYS, August 2024
Black River Initiative Progress Report: 2010-2020, December 2020
Conservation Easements, February 2022
Historic Preservation, April 2022
How Winter is Changing in the Tug Hill Region, March 2025
Justice Court Consolidation Solutions, July 2021
Land Ownership and Protected Lands in the Tug Hill Region, June 2020
NYS Climate Policy Implications: A Tug Hill Housing Analysis, April 2024
Planning for Solar Energy Projects, June 2023
Protecting Town Roads From Snow Plowing Demands: A Checklist, January 2019
Short-Term Rentals, June 2025, UPDATED!!
The Forest Tax Exemption and Impacts on Municipal Budgets, November 2024
The Montague Doppler Radar, An Overview, February 2023
The Next Generation of Wind Farms on Tug Hill, July 2022
The Roads Less Traveled: Minimum Maintenance Roads, July 2022
Town Roads and Tug Hill’s Working Landscape, February 2022
Tug Hill Aquifer 101, December 2022
Use and Regulation of Drones for Municipalities, June 2023
TECHNICAL PAPERS
A Municipal Guide for Writing Requests for Proposals for Professional ServFINAL, June 2025, NEW!!
2020 Tug Hill Census Analysis (full resolution), (11.7 MB), March 2023
Adopting and Amending Zoning by Local Law, 2010, reviewed 2022
Abandoned Cemeteries and Municipal Responsibilities, February 2023
Documents Policies and Records to Have on File at the Clerk’s Office, November 2020
GIS Resources for Local Governments, June 2023
How to Appropriate Unanticipated Revenues, March 2022
Introduction to Municipal Websites, June 2023
Making a Successful Grant Application Checklist, January 2024
Municipal Fundraising & Gifting, March 2022
Municipal Insurance Coverage Annual Review, June 2023
Open Burning Regulations in NYS, 2010, reviewed 2022 
Prior Written Notice, July 2019, reviewed February 2024
Procedure for Implementation of Low-Volume Road Designation, 2014, reviewed 2019
Questions and Answers About Low-Volume Road Designation, 2003, reviewed 2019
Special District Brochure, November 2023, best printed on 11×17 paper
Why Prepare A Comprehensive Plan?, April 2024
Zoning Board of Appeals Guide For Towns & Villages, December 2020
ARCHIVED PAPERS
These papers may still be of interest, but please note they are not being reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Information may be dated.
NYS Department of State maintains additional publications related to local government. Visit the website at DOS to view those publications.
NYS Office of the State Comptroller maintains additional publications related to local government. Visit the website at OSC to view those publications.
NYS Archives maintains additional publications related to local government. Visit the website at Archives to view those publications.