New Publication Alert

Our 2026 edition of the Town Law Manual is now available!

Members can also access a digital copy in our member portal under the Publications tab. Copies were sent automatically to member towns; to place additional or new orders, please click here or email [email protected]. 

WHAT'S NEW:

Expanded citations, updated index and new content including: 

Personnel - NYS Paid Family Leave, discrimination and workplace violence prevention 

Fund Balance - New comprehensive coverage including fund balance categories (nonspendable, restricted, assigned, unassigned), fund balance policy requirements, appropriate fund balance levels, relationship between reserve funds and fund balance

A Fund & B Fund - Detailed breakdown of townwide charges vs. part-town charges, with specific examples of what a town is authorized to charge to each fund

Highway Funds - Complete explanation of DA (town-wide highway) and DB (part-town highway) funds, Highway Law § 141 categories, and the proper allocation of highway expenditures

SEQR/Environmental Review - Complete chapter overhaul including 2019 regulatory changes (expanded Type II list for solar arrays, green infrastructure, mandatory scoping), updated EAF forms (2012 revision), climate change considerations under CLCPA, common compliance pitfalls, and comprehensive recordkeeping requirements to withstand legal challenges

Fiscal Management Updates - Permanent tax cap codified, updated levy growth calculations, modernized credit card payment procedures with new disclosure requirements, clarified salary increase/decrease procedures, updated local law and referendum requirements

Borrowing and Municipal Finance - Expanded coverage of municipal obligation types (BANs, RANs, TANs, budget notes) and discussed federal tax-exempt bond compliance

Legislative Updates - New referendum timeframes

Ambulance Services – Expanded updates on EMS and recent legislation.