A webinar series of essential training for effective town governance.

Welcome to NYAOT's Leadership Lab

The New York Association of Towns has developed a comprehensive training and resource program designed to strengthen local government leadership across New York State. Building on our mission to support town officials, we provide both in-person and online opportunities that make it easier for local leaders to access the tools, resources and information they need. 

Our programming equips town officials with practical knowledge to effectively manage local government operations while offering a curriculum that is relevant to both elected officials and staff as they serve their communities each day. NYAOT's new online training modules provide foundational training, making them an excellent resource for newly elected officials, those just beginning their service in town government, or members seeking a refresher on their education. All of the courses offered through our Online Training Modules qualify for Certified Town Official (CTO) credit, allowing participants to work toward certification while strengthening their knowledge of town governance. To learn more about the program, please visit our Certified Town Official Program tab on our website. Once you have completed a session or sessions and if you would like to submit your affidavit for credit, please download a CTO affidavit, complete and return. 

Whether you are newly elected or an experienced leader seeking to stay current on emerging issues, the Association of Towns delivers up-to-date training and guidance. New training sessions are released on a bi-weekly basis, giving members a steady stream of opportunities to stay informed. 

New trainings released biweekly! Each training is available at the following rates: 

• NYAOT member rate: $25
• NYAOT non-member rate: $50

Leadership Lab 10: Navigating the Haze: Regulating Cannabis in Your Jurisdiction

Five years after enactment of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), New York's adult-use cannabis landscape continues to evolve, and with this evolution comes continued challenges facing local governments. With 663 licensed adult-use dispensaries now operating statewide and counting, municipal officials and their counsel must stay current on the expanding regulatory framework and the limits of local authority.

This session provides a practical update on cannabis regulation from the municipal perspective, covering the state regulatory structure under the Cannabis Law and the associated regulations, opt-out status and repeal procedures, license notification requirements, and the scope of permissible time, place, and manner regulation.  Participants will also explore the Cannabis Control Board's landmark 2025 advisory opinions on unreasonably impracticable local laws, as well as distance measurement requirements, delivery and drive-thru rules, microbusiness licensing, the treatment of cannabis as an agricultural crop, local tax revenue distribution, the new Cannabis Showcase Event framework, and the latest enforcement developments affecting municipalities and landlords.

This course is eligible for CTO credit in the following categories: Planning and Zoning; Attorney/Legal Issues; Town Board.

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Leadership Lab 1: Town Budget Fundamentals

Master the complete town budget cycle in this practical, accessible course designed for all town officials. From initial planning through adoption and beyond, learn the essential skills and knowledge you need to confidently navigate budget season. Whether you are a seasoned board member or newly elected, this course demystifies the budget process and equips you with tools to make informed fiscal decisions for your town.

CTO eligible: Town supervisors (1 credit)

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Leadership Lab 2: Organizational Meeting

Navigate the critical first meeting of the year with confidence! This practical course covers everything town boards need to know about organizational meeting, from required oaths and undertakings to strategic appointments and administrative designations. Learn the essential statutory requirements, Open Meetings Law compliance, and best practices for establishing your board's framework for the year ahead. Whether you're a newly elected official or experienced board member, gain the tools to conduct an efficient, legally compliant organizational meeting that sets your town up for success.

CTO Eligible: Town Boards (1 credit)

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Leadership Lab 3: Municipal Ethics 101

Municipal ethics refers to the standards and legal requirements that guide town officials in maintaining honesty, transparency, and public trust in local government. In the first session of this two-part course, participants will explore the key provisions of general municipal law, which governs conflicts of interest in contracts, as well as common law conflicts of interest. Through practical examples, from planning board recusals to hiring family members—attendees will learn how to identify, avoid, and manage ethical conflicts in day-to-day municipal operations.

Eligible for any area of CTO 

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Leadership Lab 4: Beyond the Roll: A Deep Dive into the (Crucial) Role of the Assessor

This session offers town officials a practical and engaging deep dive into one of the most technical roles in local government: the assessor. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the assessor’s statutory duties, certification requirements, and interactions with property owners, boards, and state agencies. Using real-world scenarios and current legislation, the course explores assessment methodologies, exemptions, grievance procedures, and judicial review processes, including SCAR and tax certiorari.
Attendees will also learn about recent legal developments affecting assessors, including as the Judicial Security Act, standardized solar valuation models, and new property tax laws impacting exemptions and reassessments, and how these changes intersect with other roles in town government. Whether you are a town supervisor, clerk, board member, or collecting officer, this session will equip you to better understand, support, and collaborate with your assessor to ensure a fair and lawful assessment process in your community.

Eligible for CTO - Assessor/RPT Issues

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Leadership Lab 5: Town Hall Unlocked - Navigating Open Meetings Law, FOIL, and Effective Public Comment Periods

Master the transparency laws that govern local government operations!  This essential course provides town officials with practical guidance on Open Meetings Law compliance, FOIL request management, and effective public participation strategies.  Learn when meetings require public notice, how to properly conduct executive sessions, what records must be disclosed, and how to develop policies that balance transparency with efficient operations.  From videoconferencing requirements to FOIL response deadlines, gain the knowledge and tools to confidently handle public access issues while avoiding common legal pitfalls.  Whether you're managing meeting notices, responding to records requests, or establishing public comment protocols, this lab delivers the framework your town needs for open, accountable governance.

CTO Eligible: Town Boards, Town Clerks, Records Management Officers (1 credit)

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Leadership Lab 6: Fundamentals of Real Property Tax Collection

Navigate the complexities of tax collection with confidence! This practical course covers everything collecting officers need to know, from receiving the warrant to making the return of unpaid taxes and everything in between.  Learn essential statutory requirements under Real Property Tax Law, proper procedures for deposits and receipts, penalty calculations, postmark rules, and handling challenging scenarios like returned checks, partial payments, and escrow accounts.  Whether you're an elected or appointed collecting officer, town clerk, receiver of taxes, or tax collector, gain the knowledge to conduct efficient, legally compliant tax collection while avoiding common pitfalls.  From oath requirements and warrant notices to last-day office hours and overpayment handling, this course delivers the framework you need for successful tax collection operations.

CTO Eligible: Tax Collectors, Receivers of Taxes, Town Clerks (1 credit)

Leadership Lab 7: First Amendment Challenges Facing Local Governments: A Practical Guide for Municipal Officials

Local governments are increasingly at the center of First Amendment controversies, from managing public comment periods and social media posts to responding to individuals recording at town hall.  This practical leadership lab provides town officials with a comprehensive framework for navigating constitutional free speech issues in the modern municipal environment.  Participants will learn how to analyze different types of public forums (traditional, designated, limited, and non-public), understand when government speech requires creating a public forum, develop constitutional social media policies for elected officials, implement reasonable time-place-manner restrictions at public meetings, and professionally respond to First Amendment audits. Through real-world case studies and practical policy guidance, officials will gain the tools to conduct forum inventories of municipal property, draft enforceable recording policies, train staff on constitutional compliance, and balance First Amendment rights with efficient government operations, employee safety, and privacy protection - essential skills for all town officials in today's increasingly complex legal landscape.

CTO Eligible: Attorney/Legal Issues (1 credit)

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Leadership Lab 8: Whose Role is it, Anyway: The Interplay Between the Governing Board and Planning and Zoning Boards

Understanding the distinct roles and responsibilities of town boards, planning boards, and zoning boards of appeals is essential for effective municipal governance, yet misunderstanding these relationships is the most common barrier to successful land use administration.  This leadership lab guides town officials through three critical areas: how town boards structure planning and zoning boards (establishing, appointing, removing members, setting terms and compensation), how to delegate responsibilities through home rule authority (distinguishing between statutory authority that cannot be transferred versus delegated authority that can), and understanding review limitations to ensure each board "stays in its lane."  After taking this course,  participants will be able to answer common questions facing municipalities: Can we overturn a ZBA interpretation? Who actually hires the planning board attorney? Can we combine our planning board and ZBA to address volunteer shortages? The leadership lab provides a clear framework for navigating these complex relationships and ensuring each board operates within its proper authority.

CTO Eligible: Planning and Zoning Issues (1 credit)

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Leadership Lab 9: Roles and Responsibilities of Town Boards and Highway Superintendents

This Leadership Lab course provides essential training on the legal framework and operational duties governing the relationship between town boards and highway superintendents in New York State.  Participants will learn about the Highway Superintendent's office requirements, budget development and financial management, employee supervision, equipment procurement, and infrastructure management including rights of way, drainage, and traffic control.  The course clarifies the division of responsibilities between highway superintendents and town boards, covering budget approval, personnel management, procurement procedures, and collaborative processes for highway dedications and discontinuances.  This practical training equips both highway superintendents and town board members with the legal knowledge needed to effectively manage highway operations.

CTO eligible: Town Boards / Highway Superintendents (1 credit)

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Meet the Trainers