Town Board

What is the Town Board?

Local governments exist for the purpose of providing services and public facilities to the people who live within their jurisdiction. In New York State, everyone who lives outside a city or an Indian reservation lives in a town. There are more towns in New York State than there are cities and villages combined. In New York State, towns are organized with an elective legislative body known as the Town Board. Town government is run by the Town Board which acts as the executive, administrative and legislative body of the town.

As a group, the Town Board serves as the executive head of the town government, there being no true executive in town government comparable with a mayor of a city or village, or with the governor of the state. No Town Board Member has more or less authority than any other Board member. The Town Board consists of a Supervisor and four Town Board Members.

What are Town Board Member Requirements and Terms of Office?

Town Board members, as elected officials of the Town, must be “electors” of the town at the time of election and throughout their terms of office. An elector is someone who could register as a voter in the Town, whether they actually have or not. Registration has three components – residency, age and citizenship. Residency equates to the legal term “domicile” and is defined in law. The age qualification is 18 and United States citizenship is also required. Town Board members have a term of four years. The Wheatland Town Supervisor has a term of two years. Town elections are held in odd numbered years, with new terms starting the following January 1.

What does the Town Board do?

As the legislative body of the local Wheatland Town Government, the Town Board’s responsibilities include the power to appoint officers, commissions, boards and other personnel necessary to administer the town’s affairs; to appropriate funds, to adopt ordinances and local laws affecting the public health, safety and welfare and to provide penalties for the enforcement of the town; and to formulate overall policy. The Town Supervisor is the administrative head of town government, presides at the meetings of the Town Board and may, from time to time, appoint one or more committees consisting of members of the Board to aid and assist the Board in the performance of its duties. 

Town Board Meetings

A meeting agenda is published in advance of each Town Board meeting by the Town Clerk. A majority of the Town Board Members must be present in order to constitute a meeting quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of each Board member upon every question is recorded in the official minutes of the meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Town Board is required for the adoption of any action, motion or legislation.

Regular Board Meeting – The public has the right to attend and listen to the board deliberations.  The public may participate upon the invitation of the board. Regular Town Board meetings are held at the Wheatland Municipal Building, 22 Main St. Scottsville, New York.

Public Hearing – The public is invited to speak.  The board is not obligated to answer questions or render a decision.

Public Information Meeting – A presentation is given to the public in order for the public to gain information on a specific project or topic.  Following the presentation, the public is given the opportunity to ask questions.  The presenter may discuss follow-up actions.

See Town Board FAQs for answers to common inquiries.

---

---

Town Board Member

 Town Board Member – Edward Shero

Email: Councilman Shero
Phone: (585) 889-1553
Office Hours: By Appointment
Term Expires: December 2025

---

Town Board Member – Carl Schoenthal

Email: Councilman Schoenthal
Phone: (585) 889-1553
Office Hours: By Appointment
Term Expires: December 2027

---

Town Board Member – Tina Stevens

Email: Councilman Stevens
Phone: (585) 889-1553
Office Hours: By Appointment
Term Expires: December 2027