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Are there any regulations requiring a Town Supervisor to involve and keep Town Board members informed of communications regarding issues that fall under the responsibility of the Board as a whole?
I’m not sure if the term “ex parte communication” applies here, since, theoretically, the Town Board does not consist of “opposing” parties. However, a lack of transparency, failure to share information, and excluding certain factions of the Board from decision-making processes would seem contrary to good governance.
What, if any, guardrails are in place to prevent such issues?
Under New York Town Law, a Supervisor is required to:
– Keep the Town Board informed generally concerning town affairs,
– Keep the Board informed of the financial condition and future needs of the town, and
– Make recommendations as deemed desirable.
These are fairly general requirements. Below are two documents you may find helpful, which outline the responsibilities of a Supervisor:
Note: I have seen references to a newer version of the *Town Law Manual* dated 2016, but I have not been able to find it online. You can order the updated version from the New York Association of Towns.
For more specific information, the Association of Towns may be a better resource to address your questions.