|
General Information on Taxes
Why Freedom of Information, Open Meetings, and Public Access to
Records?
- The people's right to know the process of government
decision making and the documents and statistics leading to
determinations is basic to our society. Access to such
information will be easily obtainable and completely open to
the public. A free society is maintained when government is
responsive and responsible to the public, and when the
public is aware of government actions. The more open a
government is with its citizenry, the greater the
understanding and participation of the public in government.
We therefore declare, that government is the public's
business and that the public, individually or collectively
represented by a news media, should have unimpaired access
to the records of government.
Why use a Municipal Sewer System?
- You may not know that excess water pumped into our
Municipal Sewer System will hurt the process and ultimately
cost you more money.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
is ordering us to take the necessary steps to prevent
household sump pumps from discharging into the Municipal
Sewer System.
If your sump pump is hooked to our Municipal Sewer Line, it
will be easy to disconnect it and send the water outside.
Please comply with this request pursuant to Local Law #1,
1997.
How do I obtain a Driveway Permit?
- An application for a driveway permit in Germantown must
be obtained as follows:
1. On A Town Road: Contact Highway Superintendent
Richard Jennings. - (518) 537-6686
2. On A County Road: Call (518) 828-1114
3. On A State Highway: Call (518) 828-9401
What do Highway Right-Of-Ways mean to residents?
- Pursuant to New York State Highway Law, the Highway
Superintendent inherits the
obligation of keeping our highway right-of-ways clear and
unobstructed. The setback requirements in our Zoning
Ordinance are excellent and support the efforts of the
Highway Superintendent. However, we are finding some landowners who are planting trees/bushes and
installing fences in these
right-of-ways. Please
remind the sub-dividers/landowners/contractors etc., that
you come in contact with, that they may not plant bushes,
trees, or build anything in the highway right-of-way without
prior approval from the Town Highway Superintendent. Usually
a town highway right-of-way extends 16-25 feet from the edge
of the pavement back into the yard. Section 8.C.(1) E.(1)
Germantown Zoning Ordinance requires 20 feet and prior
approval of the Highway Superintendent.
Our Highway Superintendent,
Richard Jennings,
will be glad to meet with any landowner that is thinking
about planting trees or a hedge, or erecting a fence etc.
near our highway right-of-way.
What does the Right to Farm Notice mean?
- It is the policy of Columbia County to conserve,
protect, and encourage the development and improvement of
farm operations within our borders for the production of
food and other products. Existing and prospective residents
of Columbia County should be aware of the inherent potential
conditions associated with farm operations. Such conditions
may include but are not limited to noise, odors, fumes,
dust, smoke, insects, operation of machinery during any
hour, day or night, storage and disposal of plant and animal
waste products, and the application of fertilizers, soil
amendments, and pesticides by ground or aerial spraying or
other method. Property owners and residents within Columbia
County should be aware that farmers have the right to
undertake generally accepted agricultural practices and one
should expect such conditions as a normal and necessary
aspect of living in such an area.
Accessory Buildings, how do I get a building permit?
- Accessory Building: A subordinate use building, located on
the same lot with the main use building. Some examples are a
garage, shed, playhouse, however private in nature.
Please, if you are requesting a building permit, to either
build an accessory building or rebuild/renovate an existing
one, do not build with dreams of perhaps, in the future,
using this accessory building for commercial or residential
uses. Share your construction dreams with us before you
finalize your plans so that we may review with you the
restrictions on accessory building uses! A Zoning Board of
Appeals cannot grant you a variance to use an accessory
building, located in a residential zone, for commercial
purposes.
What is the function of the Planning Board?
- The Germantown Planning Board considers Land
Subdivisions as part of a plan for the orderly, efficient
and economical development of the Town.
1. They make decisions on:
Boundary Line Re-Alignments
Minor Land Subdivisions - Less than 5 lots, as long as
it doesn't involve a new
street or extension of municipal facilities.
Major Land Subdivisions - 5 or more lots, or any size
subdivision requiring a new
street or extension of municipal facilities.
2. They review Special Exception Building Permit
requests heading to the Zoning
Board of Appeals for a decision.
3. They invite residents, Via legal advertising, to attend
Public Hearings for an
opportunity to give their opinions regarding applications
before the
Planning Board.
- How To Proceed Before The Planning Board
1. Stop at the Town Clerk's office and complete a
subdivision application.
2. The Town Clerk will check your application for
completeness and will put you on
the agenda of the next month.
Where is the Transfer Station and how does it work?
- The transfer station is located on Palantine Park Road
- Drop off refuse Wednesday 7:30am - 12 noon and Saturday
7:30am - 4pm
- Refuse bags are available at transfer station payable by
check or money order
- Refuse bags are available through the Germantown Town
Clerk payable by cash
|
