Historically, the position of Superintendent
of Highways has long been one of the most important offices of the
town. In the early days of the town, the Highway Superintendent possessed
the authority to lay out and construct all of the roads that traverse
the town, and this stimulated development within the town. As modern
times have come and construction of new highways has slowed, the position
of the Highway Superintendent, while still vested with absolute authority
over the highways of the town, now primarily provides for the maintenance
and care of the roads and the clearing of the roads in winter months.
As such, it is more appropriate for said functions to be consolidated
with the other operating departments of the town and be under the
control and direction of the Town Board.
The position of the Highway Superintendent of
the Town of Cortlandt is hereby abolished, effective January 1, 1998.
All of the duties, authority and power heretofore
and hereafter conferred of vested in the Highway Department shall
be vested in the Department of Environmental Services. Whenever any
law provides for a duty or an obligation of the Town Highway Superintendent,
said law in the Town of Cortlandt shall mean the Director of Environmental
Services who shall be appointed, in accordance with local law, by
the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt.
The following question shall be submitted to
the electors to consider the approval of this chapter:
"Shall Local Law No. 7 of 1996, which provides
that the elected Office of Highway Superintendent of the Town of Cortlandt
be abolished and the duties and responsibilities of the Town of Cortlandt
be transferred and vested in the Department of Environmental Services
which is appointed by the Town Board, be approved?"
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This chapter shall take effect on January 1,
1998, provided that said chapter is approved by a majority of the
electors of the Town voting on November 5, 1996, in accordance with
§ 23 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New
York.