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Home My WebLink AboutAG-08/11/2026 WS Denis Noncarrow Town Hall, 53095 Main Road Town Clerk " , P.O. Box 1179 Registrar of Vital Statistics ` Southold, New York 11971 Marriage Officer ; Fax (631) 765-6145 Records Management Officer Telephone (631) 765-1800 Freedom of Information Officer COUN www.southoldtownny.gov Office of the Town Clerk Town of Southold Agenda Work Session Agenda Southold Town Board August 11, 2026 9:00 AM PUBLIC NOTICE: The Town Board Work Session will be now be held in Southold Town Hall, located at 53095 Main Road, Southold, NY 11971. PUBLIC ZOOM LINK: You are invited to a Zoom webinar! When: Aug 11, 2026 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Town Board Work Session Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88940901843?pwd=g1O3967I9YgTPIjHnIDYYIetBggOia.1 Passcode:180393 I. Discussion Items- Southold Town Board Work Session 1. 9:00 AM- Town Board Continued Discussion and Review of Essential Public Safety Agenda Items 2. 9:30 AM- Chief Steven Grattan Discussion of New Work Chart 3. 9:45 AM- Town Board Break 4. 10:00 AM-Nick Krupski, Solid Waste Coordinator Ground Water Sampling and Update on NYSDEC and Suffolk County Health Department Initiatives 5. 10:15 AM- Councilwoman Jill Doherty and ATA Julie McGivney Update on the Housing Code 6. 10:30 AM- Councilwoman Jill Doherty Discussion of a Possible RFP for a Cell Tower on Town Property Page 1 of 18 7. 10:45 AM-Lillian McCullough, Land Preservation Assistant and John Sepenoski, Land Management Coordinator/GIS Technician II CPF Project Plan (Open Space) 8. NYSAOT Requested Resolutions 1. Support of the NYSAOT Bill of Rights and 2. Designation of a Voting Delegate for the Association's Legislative Conference and Meeting on September 23, 2026 9. 12:00 PM - Town Board Lunch Break 10. Executive Session -Labor-Matters Involving the Employment/Appointment of a Particular Person(s) 12:30 PM - Nick Krupski, Solid Waste Coordinator 12:45 PM - Jacqui Martinez, Senior Citizens Program Director 01:00 PM - Leslie Weisman, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairperson 01:15 PM - Supervisor Krupski re: Government Liaison Position 11. Executive Session - Potential Acquisition(s), Sale, or Lease of Real Property Where Publicity Would Substantially Affect the Value Thereof 01:45 PM - Andrea Sullivan, Community Development Project Supervisor (via Zoom) and ATA Julie McGivney 02:15 PM - Lillian McCullough, Land Preservation Executive Assistant 12. Executive Session - Pending/Current/Ongoing Litigation 02:45 PM - Town Attorney Ben Johnson Page 2 of 18 RECEIVED NYAOT /a U „„„ 3 2026 Celebrating America's 250*Birthday �tBP 3 ti0 lff June 15, 2026 Dear Town Supervisor, Town Clerk, and Members of the Town Board: Town government, as you know, is where government informs everyday life. Whether maintaining roads, protecting public safety, guiding growth and development, or responding to the needs of residents,towns deliver essential services that help communities across New York State thrive. As the level of government closest to more than 9.1 million New Yorkers,towns deserve both a meaningful voice in public policy and a seat at the table when decisions affecting local communities are made. To that end,the New York Association of Towns is asking member towns to consider two resolutions enclosed with this letter. The first resolution, in honor of our nation's founding and in celebration of its 250`h anniversary, expresses support for the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights, a statement of principles affirming the importance of municipal home rule, local control over land use decisions,relief from unfunded mandates, modernization of public notice requirements, and a stronger state-local partnership. The Bill of Rights recognizes a simple truth:New York's towns are not merely administrative arms of government, but partners in shaping the future of our state. The second resolution encourages your town to designate a voting delegate to represent your community at the Association's Legislative Conference and Meeting on September 23, 2026. The connection between these two resolutions is intentional. The Bill of Rights affirms that towns deserve a voice in decisions affecting their residents. Designating a delegate ensures that voice can be heard. If, and when, you pass these resolutions, please let us know by sharing your Bill of Rights resolution with us and/or by returning the enclosed Certificate of Designation via mail, fax or email. New York Association of Towns ■150 State St. Suite 203 a Albany, NY 12207 www.nytown s.o r� General Inquiries: (518)465-7933 or mailtQ:i_nfcaytvycr�s,.€ rg Page 3 of 1s NYAOT Celebrating America's 25&Birthday This year is particularly important.Following bylaw changes approved by the membership, delegates attending the Legislative Conference and Meeting will vote on the legislative priorities that will guide the Association's advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. The strength of our advocacy depends upon the participation of member towns. By supporting the Bill of Rights and appointing a delegate,your town helps ensure that the Association's positions reflect the needs,challenges, and perspectives of communities across New York State. We encourage every town to adopt the enclosed resolutions and participate in this important process. Together,we can continue to strengthen the voice of town government and advance policies that support the communities we serve. Thank you for your membership,your partnership,and your continued commitment to local government. Sincerely, Christopher A.Koetzle,Executive Director New York Association of Towns New York Association of Towns « 150 State St. Suite 203 ■Albany, NY 12207 :. r p r` General Inquiries: (518)465-79�33 or rpa[t-oJnto@nytowr s.org Page 4 of 18 NYAOT Celcb,mm, 250"IMhdq NYAOT's Legislative Program Overview&Member Checklist Frequcntly Asked Questions What does it mean to be a delegate at Setting Legislative Priorities the NYAOT's Legislative Conference and Meeting? The New YorkAssociation of Towns adopts its legislative priorities forthe year NYAOT recently changed the timeline for in accordance with ou r bylaws.I n February 2026,mem bers voted to update establishing its legislative priorities. NYAOTs bylaws,which impacts when NYAOT's legislative priorities are voted What used to be done in February as part of our Annual Conference and Meeting on and established bythe membership,so it may look a little differentthan will now be a part of a new Legislative what your town is used to. Conference and Meeting held in September in Albany,NY.The Legislative Step 1:Submissions from Member Towns Meeting to vote on NYAOT's legislative priorities will be on September 23rd.A Membertowns may send in proposals on what should be included in delegate is,quite simply,the person the town designates to vote on behalf of the NYAOT's Legislative Priorities.Although we accept submissions throughout town at the legislative meeting. the year,to be considered for the subsequent platform,resolutions must be Who can be a delegate? sent in at least 90 days beforethe Legislative Conference and Meeting in Any officer,employee,or appointed September.For 2026,this means member submissions on proposed representative of a member town in good Legislative priorities must be sent by June 25,2026.Resolutions proposing standing at the time of the meeting. Being in good standing means the town Legislative priorities may also be developed by staff.To send in a resolution or has paid its annual dues to NYAOT,and topicfor consideration,please email Deputy DirectorSarah Brancatella at therefore is officially a member for that calendar year. sbrancatella@nytowns.org. How does the town designate its Step 2:NYAOTs Resolutions Committee delegate? The town board should adopt a The Resolutions Committee,which will meet in August 2026,determines resolution appointing an officer, what resolutions go before(or are"reported to")delegates representing employee,or representative to the position of delegate.The town can also member towns at NYAOT's Legislative Conference and Meeting in designate an alternate delegate,who will g g September 2026.The committee is appointed by NYAOT's presidentand assume delegate voting responsibilities if represents differenttown offices from around the state. the delegate cannotvote for any reason. P The town then fills out the Certificate of Designation and return itto NYAOTbythe Step 3.NotifyingMembers deadline. Official notice goes outtotown clerks of membertowns in good standing at Does a delegate have to be physically present to vote? least 30 days in advance of the Legislative Conference and Meeting.The on 6 of notice specifies the time and place of the meeting(September 23,2026).ft Yes,pursuant s,a del Article ll must ibe AOT's bylaws,a delegate must be also includes a list of proposed legislative priorities members Will bevoting physically present to vote. on atthe September meeting. I'm notsure if I'm a delegate,how do I rind out? Step4:Appointinga VotingDelegate When you check-in at the conference and pickup your nametag,your badge will say"delegate"right on it.Also,you can always call us at(518)465-7933 or emaiLusinf @nytowns.org. Page 5 of Is NYAOT C:a•,Ie.§.rrnting 64mn.nr.2`.z 2.!i(1°i C§Irehday NYAOT's Legislative Program Overview&Member Checklist Thetown,and not any individual officer,is a memberof NYAOT,and a QIIWk Itek-Ielllce delegate is,quite simply,the person the town designates to vote,in person, on legislative priorities and other business on behalf ofthetown atthe (. i CTk-16t Annual Meeting.Any officer,employee,or appointed representative of a ❑Pass resolution assigning membertown in good standing atthe time of the meeting.Being in good standing means the town has paid itsannualduestoNYAOTand therefore is ofyou tethatcanficiaL vote behalf officially member for the year.Thetown board should adopt resolution ofyourtown on official appointing an officer,employee,or representative to the position of delegate Association governance. and then fill out Certificate of Designation to return to NYAOT before the ❑Once the resolution has been meeting.Please note towns can send in their Certificate of Designation as passed,complete the enclosed soon as registration for the Annual Conference opens. Certificate of Designation and Step 5:The Legislative Priorities Meeting return to us via mail,fax or email. This is the opportunityfor a delegate to vote on NYAOT's legislative platform Mail:NewYorkAssociation of and other business.Resolutions that are approved bythe delegates wilt be Towns,150 State St.,Suite 203, included in NYAOT's Legislative Priorities. Albany,NY 12207 Step 6:Presentation to Lawmakers Fax:(518)465-0174 Afterthe Legislative Priorities get approved,NYAOT sends that information to the governorand members of the NewYorkStateLegislatureandtheNew Email:infoiyt�avwls. rg York Congressional and Senate delegations.Here is a copy of our2026 El To attend our Legislative Legislative Agenda. Conference,please complete Becominga NYAOTDelegate and return the enclosed We encourage all member towns to file their delegate form with us,affirming registration form or register to membership in good standingand enablingyour town to vote atthe attend online.Anyone from a Legislative Priorities Meeting. membertown is encouraged to attend;onlythe assigned and Registering delegate is a meaningfulwayto participate in the Association's certified delegate may vote at work and exercise your town's voice.Whetheror notyour delegate chooses the Legislative Platform meeting. to cast a vote,filingtheform ensures yourtown isformally represented. Every town's perspective matters,and we hope all communities witttake part in this important annual process. We strongly encourage everytown to designate a delegate and take part in the business meeting.Your participation helps ensure decisions reflectthe needs and priorities of towns across New York State.If you have questions on assigning a delegate or are running into any issues,please call our offices at(518)465-7933. Page 6 of Is � Pew of Totuns 331**11 of nio4ts Whereas,town government provides services essential to the vitality and success of New York State, like maintaining and repairing roads; protecting neighborhoods and businesses;guiding and supporting growth and economic development and acting as the first line of defense, communication and safety to residents every day of the calendar year. Whereas,towns in New York State are phenomenally diverse, ranging in population, geography,demographics and other factors, and decisions are best made at the local level, by the government that best understands their town's attributes, challenges and character. Whereas, 933 total towns in New York State are claimed as HOME by more than 9.1 million New Yorkers, New York's towns should not be considered subsidiaries of the state, but rather as partners in shaping New York's future. 1.Protect and Defend Municipal Home Rule As the level of government closest to the people,towns are best positioned to understand local needs, balance competing interests,and make decisions that shape daily life in meaningful ways. Preserving that authority matters not just for towns, but for the health of local democracy itself. 2.Protect Our Lands, Guide Our Development Land use and zoning decisions belong in local hands - not in statewide zoning schemes or arbitrary shot clock deadlines that ignore the voice of residents and elected officials that live there. 3. Freedom from Unfunded Mandates Local taxpayers should not be expected to bear the brunt of orders placed by bureaucrats in Albany and Washington, D.C.Taxpayers deserve fairness, and local budgets need relief. 4.Modernize Transparency,Accessibility and Engagement Outdated public notice requirements soak up very essential dollars in municipal budgets by forcing them to pay money for print public notices that can be often missed and are counterproductive to civic awareness. S.A Voice in Decisions Impacting our Hometowns A true partnership between the State of New York and its local governments will propel the Empire State forward and bear dividends to benefit all New Yorkers. As the governing body closest to more than 9.1 million New Yorkers,town government should be treated by the state as true partners-- not as an afterthought or a hurdle to clear. Page 7 of 18 SAMPLE RESOLUTION Adopting the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights TOWN OF I I RESOLUTION NO. " OF 2026 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS BILL OF RIGHTS Introduced by [Councilmember 1; seconded by [Councilmember.. WHEREAS,town government provides services essential to the vitality of New York State, including but not limited to maintaining and repairing roads,protecting neighborhoods and businesses, guiding economic development, and serving as the first line of defense, communication, and safety for residents every day of the year; and WHEREAS,the 933 towns of New York State are home to more than 9.1 million New Yorkers and are diverse in population, geography, and demographics, such that decisions affecting daily life are best made at the local level by the government that best understands each community's character, challenges, and needs; and WHEREAS,the towns of New York are partners in shaping the State's future, and a true partnership between the State and its local governments will propel the New York State forward to the benefit of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS,the New York Association of Towns has adopted a Bill of Rights articulating the core principles that should govern the relationship between the State and its towns; and WHEREAS,the Town of[ shares and affirms those principles, namely: 1. Protection and defense of municipal home rule, recognizing that towns, as the level of government closest to the people, are best positioned to balance competing interests and make decisions that shape daily life; 2. Local control of land use and zoning,free from statewide zoning rules that override the voice of resident taxpayers and the officials they elect; 3. Freedom from unfunded mandates, so that local taxpayers are not made to bear the cost of orders imposed by State and federal authorities without the resources to carry them out; 4. Modernized transparency,accessibility,and engagement, including reform of outdated public-notice requirements that consume scarce municipal dollars on print notices often missed by the public;and 5. A meaningful voice in State decisions affecting the hometowns that towns govern, so that town government is treated as a true partner rather than an afterthought or a hurdle to clear; now,therefore, be it Page 8 of 18 SAMPLE RUSOLUTION Adopting the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of ....- hereby endorses and adopts the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights and affirms its commitment to the principles set forth therein; and be it further RESOLVED,that the Town Board calls upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to respect and uphold these principles in the enactment of legislation and the administration of State programs affecting towns; and be it further RESOLVED,that the Town Clerk is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of New York,the Temporary President of the Senate,the Speaker of the Assembly,the State Senator(s) and Member(s)of the Assembly representing the Town of and the New York Association of Towns; and be it further Page 9 of 18 SAMPLE RESOLUTION Assigning a voting Delegate NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS LEGISLATIVE MEETING DELEGATION: RESOLUTION# AUTHORIZATION FOR DELEGATE TO LEGISLATIVE MEETING OF THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS Motion made by seconded by � rM to wit: WHEREAS, will attend the New York (Title) (dame).........._, Association of Towns ("NYAOT") Legislative Conference and Meeting on September 22— 23, 2026; and WHEREAS the Town of benefits from having a delegate vote on what to include in NYAOT's 2027 legislative priorities; and WHEREAS the Town of has the authority to designate any officer, employee, or representative of the town as a delegate for this meeting; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that_.o „ _ be designated ��(Name of belegate} as a delegate for the Town of , and further BE IT RESOLVED,that in the absence of C'K_une o lAar6tf�tw'w be designated as the delegate for the Town of m (Name of Altemate) Page 10 of is CERTIRCATEOF DESIGNATION In order to establish eligibility and credentials to vote at the2026 Business Session,this form must be filed with: ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 150 STATE STREET,SUITE 203,ALBANY,NY 12207 by September 16,2026 TO: OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE Association of Towns of the State of New York To Ensure Cdrrect ��wln Carr f3act es,PNea�e Frtrrol Ord e Town Clerk of the Town of _........... ..... ...__.___..... in the County of _..,,�and State of New York DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the town board of the aforesaid town has duly designated the following named person to attend the Annual Legislative Priorities Session of the Association of Towns of the State of New York,to be held during September 23,2026,and to cast the vote of the aforesaid town,pursuant to§6 of Article III of the Constitution and Bylaws of said Association: NAME OF VOTING DELEGATE TITLE._,—..,w ___...E-MAIL ADDRESS._....... . _._� _w. ..._ ADDRESS In the absence of the person so designated,the following named person has been designated to cast the vote of said town: NAME OF TITLE........ ADDRESS ADDRESS _ ._ .��................... In WITNESS WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said town this day of 20_. Town Clerk 71, Page 11 of 18 NYAOT Celebrating America's 250'Birthday New York Association of Towns' Legislative Conference Local Voices, State Impact September 22-23rd Tentative Agenda Tuesday,September 22 .................... Time Topic Speaker 10:30 am Registration opens 11am- _ Women's Leadership Caucus discussion 11:40 Rural Communities Council discussion 11:45 Buffet Lunch 12:30pm 12:30pm-1 Conference Welcome and Opening Comments 1-2:10pm Plenary(70 Mins) New York State Legislative Landscape:An Update from State Legislators 2:10-2:30 Coffee Break ..... 2:30-3:40 3 Concurrent Panels(70 mins) • Town Workforce Development:Staffing, Skills,and State Support I • Employee Benefits,Local Budgets,and State Policy:Addressing Rising Health Insurance Costs • State Housing Policy:Local Impacts and Town Perspectives Page 12 of 10 3:45-4:55 3 Concurrent Sessions(70 Mins) - - - � • Following the Money and the Mandate; How Albany Works 0 2026 Case Law Updates Y Building Effective Intergovernmental Relationships . w_.................. �..._.. 5pm-6pm Reception Day 2:September 23 8am-9am Breakfast 9am-9:30 Opening Comments and NYAOT Update ...... 9:30am- Plenary(70 mins) 10:40am From Local Government to State Representative 10:40- Coffee Break 11am 11am- 3 Concurrentmins)�m�.-.. .M....Sessions (70 12:10 * Water Infrastructure Policy for Towns: Funding,Mandates,and Legislative Priorities • The Future of EMS:State Policy,Local Costs,and Town Responsibilities 0 Open 12:15-1:30 Lunch 1:30-2.40 3 Concurrent Sessions(70 mins) • Effective Advocacy and Working with Your Representatives Growing the Local Economy; Partnerships,Tools,and Strategies for Towns 0 Open 2:45pm- Meeting on NYAOT Legislative Priorities for 4pm2027 -. ..........................�. ... .... _....,,,,.. Page 13 of 18 Class Descriptions 11-11:30am Women's Leadership Caucus The Women's Leadership Caucus is an initiative of the NYAOT dedicated to connecting, supporting,and advancing women serving in town government across New York State. Its mission is to facilitate connection,mentorship,and advancement for women in town government,in positions like supervisors, clerks,board members,department heads, historians,and administrators,and to help shape future programming and policy engagement for NYAOT's 933 member towns. Rural Communities Council Rural towns face a distinct set of pressures, and the Rural Communities Council is a forum to compare notes,share what's working, and tackle the challenges that look different when you're governing a small town. Plenary: ipm-2:10 New York State Legislative Landscape:An Update from State Legislators (Plenary) State legislators join us to look back on the 2026 session and ahead to what's coming next. Panelists will walk through the bills, budget decisions,and policy debates that mattered most for towns this year,what passed,what stalled,and what it means for local officials heading into the fall and the 2027 session.They'll share what they're hearing from their own districts,where town priorities gained traction in Albany,and which issues are likely to return when lawmakers reconvene in January. Expect a candid conversation about the wins,the missed opportunities,and where towns have the most leverage to shape what comes next. Concurrent Classes: 2:30-3:40pm Town Workforce: Staffing,Skills,and State Support Workforce policy is shaped as much in Albany as it is on the ground,and the decisions legislators make about apprenticeships,training funds,prevailing wage, childcare,and education pipelines all land squarely on towns trying to grow their local economies. This panel brings together state legislators and workforce development leaders to discuss the bills and budget items driving workforce policy in New York,what passed this session, what's still in play,and what towns should be watching heading into 2 02 7. Panelists will talk through how recent state investments are reaching (or not reaching) municipalities, where the gaps remain between state programs and local needs,and how town officials can weigh in as workforce legislation takes shape.Expect a practical conversation about how state policy translates into real opportunities for town employers,residents,and the next generation of the local workforce. Employee Benefits, Local Budgets,and State Policy:Addressing Rising Health Insurance Costs Health insurance is one of the fastest growing lines in nearly every town budget,and the pressure isn't letting up. Double-digit renewal quotes, rising prescription drug costs,and federal policy shifts are all landing on town boards at the same time,often with little room Page 14 of 18 to absorb them under the property tax cap.This panel brings together benefits experts, municipal officials,and policy voices to walk through what's driving the increases and what towns can actually do about them. Panelists will discuss the tradeoffs between NYSHIP, municipal cooperatives,and self-insured pools,share cost-containment strategies that have worked for other towns, and talk candidly about how to navigate collective bargaining when benefits are on the table. Housing Policy and the Pressure on Towns Housing has become one of the most contested policy fights in Albany,and towns are squarely in the middle of it. From the Governor's push for statewide housing targets to ongoing debates over ADU legislation,zoning preemption, and transit-oriented development mandates,state policymakers are increasingly looking at local land use as the lever to address New York's housing shortage. For town officials,that raises hard questions about the balance between state goals and local control,and about what towns can actually do to meet the moment on their own terms.This panel brings together housing policy experts to walk through where housing legislation stands heading into the 2027 session, what proposals are likely to return,and how towns can shape the conversation rather than simply react to it. Panelists will discuss the practical implications of recent and pending state action,the funding and incentive programs available to towns that want to expand housing supply,and how local officials can make the case for approaches that work in their communities. 3:45-4:55 Concurrent Sessions Following the Money and the Mandate:How Albany Works Every decision in Albany eventually lands in your town, in your budget,your workload,or your residents'tax bills.This session traces how state government actually works: how the budget gets built,how a bill becomes law,and why some mandates come with funding and others don't.You'll leave knowing not just how Albany works,but how to work with it. 2026 Case Law Updates This session breaks down the past year's most significant rulings affecting New York local governments,from land use and zoning to FOIL and Open Meetings Law,assessment challenges, employment,and municipal liability.We'll skip the legalese and focus on what each decision means in practice:where you may need to adjust how your town operates, and where the courts have given you firmer ground to stand on Building Effective Intergovernmental Relationships No town operates alone.The work increasingly runs through your relationships with the county,neighboring municipalities,school districts,and state agencies—on everything from shared services and emergency response to roads,water,and planning.This session focuses on how to build and sustain those partnerships: finding common ground across governments with different priorities,structuring agreements that hold up,and keeping lines of communication open before a crisis forces the conversation.We'll look at what makes intergovernmental cooperation actually work,and how strong relationships can stretch limited local resources further than any town could on its own. Page 15 of 18 Day 2 Plenary: 9:30-10:40am From Local Government to State Representative(Plenary) Many state legislators got their start at the local government level -learning to read a budget,hold a public hearing, and build a coalition long before they ran for Albany. But the jump from local to state office is a real shift in scale,pace, and political culture.This panel brings together current state representatives who made that leap to discuss what local government taught them,what they had to unlearn,and how their early work still shapes the way they legislate today. 11-12:20am Concurrent Sessions The Future of EMS: State Policy,Local Costs,and Town Responsibilities Emergency medical services are in a moment of real strain across New York.Call volumes are up,volunteer rosters are thinning, and towns that once relied on a local squad showing up without a line item in the budget are finding that model harder to sustain every year. At the same time,EMS isn't classified as an essential service under state law,which leaves towns navigating a patchwork of funding, mutual aid agreements,and regional arrangements to make sure someone answers the call. This panel brings together EMS leaders,town officials,and state policy voices for a broad conversation about where things stand and what towns can actually do about it. Panelists will discuss the push to designate EMS as an essential service and what that would mean for local budgets,the recruitment and retention challenges facing volunteer squads,and the regional and shared-service models some communities are turning to as a path forward. Water Infrastructure Policy for Towns: Funding,Mandates,and Legislative Priorities Towns across New York are staring down aging water and sewer systems,rising construction costs, and federal and state mandates that don't come with enough funding attached. For years,local officials have pointed to CHIPS as proof that a dedicated, formula- based funding stream can make a real difference for town infrastructure—and have asked why water and sewer don't have the same.The Safe Water Action Program (SWAP) is designed to fill that gap: a dedicated fund modeled on CHIPS that would give towns reliable, predictable resources to invest in the pipes,plants,and systems their residents depend on. This panel brings together advocates,state officials,and town leaders to discuss where SWAP stands,what it would mean for town budgets if fully funded, and how local officials can make the case for water infrastructure investment alongside the other pressures on Albany. Panelists will also share practical guidance on navigating existing funding Concurrent Classes 1:30pm-2:40pm Growing the Local Economy: Partnerships,Tools,and Strategies for Towns Economic development does not happen in a vacuum.For many towns,the key to supporting local growth is knowing how to build the right partnerships.This session will examine how towns can work with counties,neighboring municipalities, regional councils, IDAs, chambers of commerce,and state agencies to address workforce,tourism, infrastructure, and community development needs. Page 16 of Is Effective Advocacy and Working with Your Representatives Town officials have a story to tell in Albany and Washington,but telling it well is a skill.The towns that consistently get heard are the ones that build relationships with their state and federal representatives long before they need something,know how to frame a local issue in terms a legislator can act on,and show up at the right moments with the right ask.This panel brings together experienced local advocates to walk through what effective advocacy actually looks like from a town official's perspective.Panelists will discuss how to build lasting relationships with your representatives and their staff,when a phone call beats an email and when it's the other way around,how to make the case for a town priority in a crowded legislative environment,and how to work with statewide associations to amplify your voice. 2:45-4pm:Vote on NYAOT's Legislative Priorities In this meeting,delegates will vote on the issues that will define NYAOT's 2027 Legislative Priorities,the agenda that guides the Association's advocacy in the year ahead.Your participation determines which town concerns rise to the top when lawmakers reconvene in January. Page 17 of 18 FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Association of Towns Educational Series Registration Form CHx# ,... . ....... ORDER# NYAO�T Logislative 9NYAOT Conference September 22 - 23, 2026 1 Albany, NY Join us for our first-ever Legislative Conference focused on key legislative policies impacting our communities. This program will include training sessions, collaborative workshops, and task groups designed to identify emerging issues, foster peer-to-peer discussion, and develop potential legislative solutions. Attendees will also vote on legislative updates that will help guide our advocacy efforts. The conference will run a half day on Tuesday and a full day on Wednesday. Lunch and a reception will be provided on Tuesday, with breakfast and lunch offered on Wednesday. All meals included in the registration fee. The conference will be held in conjunction with the New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation (NYMEF),which will host a fundraiser golf tournament on Monday, September 21, 2026 at Pinehaven Country Club, 1151 Silver Road, Guilderland,NY 12084. Separate registration required. NAME TITLE PHONE TOWN/COMPANY �� _...... ADDRESS EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE LIST ANY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND/OR FOOD ALLERGIES Registration Rates Member Non-member Pre-registration $175 $225 On-site registration $200 $250 Accommodations Booking Link:https://www.hilton.com/en/attend- Albany Hilton my-eventlnys-association-towns-2026/ 40 Lodge Street Room block ends Au ust 26 2026 Albany, NY, 12207 1(800)Hiltons SAVE TIME and register online at www.nytowns.org Code:1TLC Questions?Please email info@nytowns.org Page 18 of 18