Tedisco, Smullen Bill to Help Village of Northville Signed into Law by Governor

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Glenville) and Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,I,SAM-Meco) today announced that Governor Cuomo has signed into law legislation they sponsored and passed in both houses of the state legislature to help taxpayers in the Fulton County Village of Northville receive the highest and most-qualified level of public service from their village government.

The Village of Northville in Fulton County currently has flexibility with hired positions such as highway superintendent. With appointed positions however, they do not have the same flexibility. Their appointed positions include treasurer, village clerk and code enforcement officer. Northville is uniquely positioned on the border of both Hamilton and Saratoga Counties.

            The new state law passed by Tedisco and Smullen, (S.4715A/A.5395), expands the pool of qualified applicants for the Village of Northville’s appointed positions of treasurer, village clerk, and code enforcement officer to include not just Village residents, but also any person who resides within Fulton County or an adjoining county within the state of New York.

            The impetus of this legislation, which was introduced at the request of the Village of Northville, was the Village's high rate of turnover of key appointed positions (five code enforcement officers within a seven-year period). These setbacks are damaging to the stability and infrastructure of a community.

            Furthermore, a high turnover rate of personnel can be costly to local governments, particularly at a time when municipalities are facing fiscal challenges due to the COVID 19 pandemic

            “Our local governments in New York State, particularly in our rural areas, often face many mandates and pressures from our state and federal governments and other fiscal pressures that can hamper their ability to provide the highest level of service to residents. This new law is a win for Northville taxpayers who will be able to be served at the local level by the most qualified candidates by enabling the Mayor of Northville the flexibility of drawing from a larger pool of appointed positions, while staying within bordering towns inside the Adirondack Park community. I was pleased to join together with Assemblyman Smullen and Northville Mayor John Spaeth and the Village Board to get this passed and signed into law to help taxpayers,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

“Thanks to the partnership of Mayor John Spaeth and the Village Board in crafting some common sense legislation, Northville’s future just got a lot brighter. With the law passed that allows for further qualified individuals to be appointed to local positions, the people of Northville will have greater opportunity for competent local governance to commence. I’m proud to have had a hand in ensuring the people of Northville are better represented at the local level, and grateful for Sen. Tedisco’s efforts in getting this law passed in the Senate,” said Assemblyman Robert Smullen.