The Caroline Historian operates an Historical Room on the second floor of the Town Hall. It is open on Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and at other times by appointment. There you will find displays containing items from the Town of Caroline’s history. There is also an extensive collection of Family Histories and Research documents. Many of the historical and research documents can also be found at the historians website http://carolinehistorian.org .

Donation to the Historical Room of Town of Caroline historical memorabilia and family records are appreciate.

Communication with the historian can be made through carolinehistorian@yahoo.com .

• Take the Energy Survey Today
• Help build Caroline Elementary’s new playground!
• Caroline Town Hall Annex Report
• Read the Old Mill online
• 2007 Town Culvert Policy
• Town Board Minutes Posted Online
• Energy Independent Caroline
• Download the Comprehensive Plan, Parts I and II

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BROOKTONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.

Established on March 18, 1946, the Brooktondale Fire Company was incorporated as a non-profit organization in November 1946. The Company celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1996.
The Tradition Continues

Bill Lampila (Chief). Regular meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7 PM. Fire District meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. For info on becoming a volunteer, call the Fire Station (607/539-7173) or the Fire Chief at 607/539-3167.

events calendar

Our Mission

Energy Independent Caroline is a collaborative effort between residents, Town Board, and other interested people to effectively use our natural resources to achieve energy independence from fossil fuels on a municipal & residential level.

Our mission is to produce power for electricity, heat, and transportation from renewable resources.

To accomplish this, we initiate renewable energy projects while educating Caroline residents about energy issues in order to build commitment to reducing energy consumption.
Resident Profiles

Featured in the Old Mill, profiles of Caroline residents reducing energy costs. Read here.
Get Involved!

We meet the 2nd Tuesday after the 1st Monday of the month from 5:15 to 7:00 at the town hall
Request to Join

Mailing List (Organizing Members): Energy Independent Caroline
Announcement Only: Caroline Energy Announcements
So far…

Energy Independent Caroline began Meeting in December of 2005. Since then, we have met with representatives from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and other organizations working on renewable energy. A number of them gave presentations at our meetings about a wide range of energy related topics, providing us with important facts. We are doing our homework so that we have information on not only the initial costs, but also long term maintenance costs.

Besides wind power, we are investigating micro-hydro and solar power which can readily be used in a residential setting.

In addition to looking at renewable energy production for the long run, we are promoting ways to save energy and money by using efficient light bulbs, stopping air leaks, and other things that can help people now.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Heating Solutions Survey Results, November, 2006
Complete the survey yourself!
Benefits of Wind Power
Healthy Environment

The only fuel used to create wind-generated electricity is the wind! It requires no fuel and creates no emissions from burning fuels. Conventional electricity generation produces more pollution than any single industry which leads to acid rain, smog, and climate change. 1 MW of wind generation capacity is the equivalent of 1 square mile of new forest, in terms of offsetting or displacing carbon dioxide from conventional generating sources. In one year a 1 MW turbine displaces: 2,734,872 pounds of CO2, 9,918 pounds of SO2, and 3,679 pounds of NOx.
Local Economy

Dollar for dollar or watt for watt, wind power creates more jobs than any other energy technology. The New York State Energy Office found that wind power creates 66 percent more total jobs than natural gas and 27 percent more total jobs than coal. Community owned wind projects generate resources for the community.
Saves Land

Wind turbines occupy only about 5% of the site, and since the turbines are high in the air, the land is still available for agriculture, grazing, or other uses.
Energy Independence

No need for dependence on foreign oil, it is a home-grown, fuel-free source of electricity generation. A community owned wind project would keep our money here instead of sending it to multinational oil companies and foreign governments. It is one important way that we as a community can contribute to homeland security.
Past Initiatives

In 2004 the Town of Caroline became the 8th municipality in New York to purchase wind power to provide part of the municipal electrical needs. In 2005 Caroline became the 2nd municipality to purchase wind power for 100% of its electricity use. The Governor recognized this achievement by presenting the town a plaque which hangs in the Town Hall.

Regular Meetings:3rd Tuesday of the Month, 7:00pm at Caroline Town Hall

Current Town Members:
Dominic Frongillo (Chair)
Barry Goodrich
Molly Adams
Rachel Crispell
Jackie Cassaniti
Peter Hoyt
Todd Schmit

Cooperating Agencies/Personnel:

*

Craig Schutt, Gordy Morgan- Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District
*

Roxy Johnston and Scott Gibson- City of Ithaca
*

Kate Hackett - Tompkins County Planning Department
*

Sharon Anderson- Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

Mission Statement: To advise the Caroline Town Board on stream maintenance, flood hazards, stormwater management, and other watershed issues in the Town of Caroline.

Action Steps:

1. Education: The Committee works with numerous agencies and municipalities in the area to promote public education of watershed issues. Education topics include erosion and sediment control, riparian forested buffers, natural stream restoration design, flooding, and stormwater management.
2. Define Critical Projects: The Committee recommends that the public bring forward problem areas that need addressing. Resident projects have addressed areas of severe erosion, sedimentation, and tree removal to protect both personal property, as well as the quality and use of these areas to improve water quality, and natural resource protection for the general public.
3. Action Plan and Recommendations: The Committee will review project areas and make recommendations to the Town Board regarding Town funding on stream maintenance activities. Prioritization and development of projects is to be done cooperatively with the property owners, SWCD, and the Town. Cost-share proposals will be recommended to the Board recognizing both the Town’s and property owner’s responsibilities and benefits.
4. Additional Responsibilities: The Committee will formalize partnerships with other agencies to address watershed issues in the Town and work on additional projects and issues as necessary.

The meetings are open to the public. Residents should feel free to bring issues to the committee at any time. For additional information, contact Dominic Frongillo at 539-7335.

Comprehensive Plan

After a 5-year process of community input and participation, the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in late 2006. Work has started towards achieving the Town’s goals, and we need your help!

The 20 year vision for Caroline is described in Part I of the Plan, under five main topics – Housing, Open Space and Environmental Protection, Infrastructure and Services, Small Business, and Farming and Forestry as essential components of that vision. A set of goals for each section builds towards the overall vision of the Town. Part II describes strategies to reach those goals and presents a plan of action for coordinating Town efforts so that our highest priorities are addressed over the next five years:

1. Propose Legislation to Guide Land Use and Commercial Development.

2. Establish the Natural Areas and Trails Group. This group will have parallel activities, united by their focus on land preservation.

3. Establish the Caroline Small Business Committee.

4. Establish the Caroline Clean-Up and Beautification Volunteer Corps. This

5. Research and develop local nuisance laws.

6. Implement the Stormwater Management Guidelines. Work with the Watershed Committee to implement guidelines as required by State law

7. Apply the results of the aquifer studies to land use. The aquifer study in the Upper Six Mile Creek Valley is complete. The results provide information about the location of the aquifers, water volume, water quality, and recharge areas. A similar study will be conducted on the Wilseyville Valley aquifer from 2006-2009.

8. Review and revise, if necessary, the Caroline subdivision and manufactured housing laws. An advisory sub-committee of the Planning Board will be formed to review existing subdivision and mobile home park regulations in the Town and State and recommend changes to the Planning Board.

9. Work closely with Energy Independent Caroline to encourage and support adoption of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies within the Town.

If you are interested in helping these efforts, please get involved! Call Susan Barr at 539-6524 for more information.

TobyMcDonald

this is a good idea

2006 Budget

Dominic Frongillo

Office: Councilmember, Deputy Supervisor

Term: Jan. 1 2006 - Dec. 31 2009.

Roles and Committee Assignments

• Deputy Supervisor
• Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership of Tompkins County (liason, chairperson)
• Caroline Website Advisory Committee (liason, chairperson)
• Energy Independent Caroline (liason, acting chairperson)
• Caroline Planning Board (liason)
• Tompkins County Council of Governments (alternate liason)

Linda Adams

Peter Hoyt

2008

2007

2006

2005

Budget information

Town Court

Court sessions are held Mondays at 5:00 PM and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM.

Phone/Fax: 607/539-7796

o Harold Phoenix, Justice
o Paul Grennell, Justice

Send a note to Justice Phoenix or Justice Grennell

carolinetowncourt@yahoo.com

Court Clerk - Rachel Brown

PO Box 121 Slaterville Springs, NY 14881

Cindy Whittaker, Superintendent (Phone: 607/539-7610)

Building Commissioner

John Daniels

2670 Slaterville Rd.
Slaterville Springs, NY 14881

607-539-6700

Office Hours at the Caroline Town Hall M-F 8:00 till 12:00

Send a note to John

Debra DeAugistine
Phone and Fax: 607/539-6400

The Town Clerk’s Office is often thought to be the center of Town government as it provides a wide variety of services that are essential to citizens in their involvement with Town functions. It is the official filing office for the Town and maintains all official records of Town government and public activities. The Town Clerk is also the records management officer responsible for the archives of Town records and official activities. As the Clerk of the Town Board, the Town Clerk’s office records the proceedings of Town meetings and keeps the formal record of all Town actions. The Town Clerk is also the license issuing officer and the public information officer. In these capacities, the Town Clerk serves the public with assured access to Town records and offers residents convenient access for state and local licenses.

The office is located in the Town Hall at 2670 Slaterville Road.

Office hours:

Tuesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday 2 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 136
Slaterville Springs, NY 14881

Send a note to Deb

Caroline is a small town with a unique character and strong sense of community. It’s a town where people care about others, where community events are a big part of community life. We’re located just southeast of the Town of Ithaca. The area is made up of beautiful rolling hills, farms, and several small communities. We have more State forest land in Caroline than in all of the other towns in the County combined.

Here is the Town of Caroline’s Town Council.

Would you like to see your business here? Contact us.

Community Organizations are what make the town of Caroline special.

Don Barber
Town Supervisor

The Town Supervisor is the Chief Financial Officer, Budget Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of Town Government. The Town Supervisor is also a voting member of the Town Board, which makes him (her) an equal partner to the other four Town Councilpersons in setting policy.

As your Town Supervisor, it’s important for me to know that you have easy access to your local government; that your questions are answered, and that you have avenues to communicate the issues which are important to you. Please call me about any government issue during my office hours or if that’s not convenient, leave me a message as to what time and where it would be convenient for me to contact you. You can also use the email connection below or a letter to me at PO Box 136, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881.

Democracy is a government of, for, and by the people. Therefore a democracy needs involvement by ordinary people. If ordinary people don’t get involved in the day-to-day business of our government, if we don’t learn about the issues facing our elected officials, if we don’t become involved, then the democracy created by our forefathers will not survive. An informed electorate is the key to a successful democracy. Please contact me for ways that you can get involved and please ask questions.

The office is located in the Town Hall at 2670 Slaterville
Road. Office hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays from
10 - 12 noon.

Don Barber (Phone: 607/539-3395 or Fax: 607/539-6400)

* Send a note to Don

The Caroline Town Board is the legislative branch of the town elected to represent residents in the collective decision making of local government and the proper functioning of town services. There are four (4) members elected at-large (from the entire town) for a four (4) year term and they each exercise one vote in determining most legislative actions. The Town Board is responsible for all legislation, adoption of town budgets, personnel matters, and the adoption of the Town Comprehensive Plan. Town Board members also provide liaison with various town and county committees and departments through annual individual assignments. The Town Board meets at the Caroline Town Hall located on the corner of Midline Rd. and Rt. 79 in Slaterville Springs.

Working Meetings to review abstracts, present committee reports, and set an agenda for regular monthly business meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.

Regular Monthly Business Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. An opportunity is provided at the beginning of each regular monthly business meeting for residents to address questions, desires, or concerns to the Town Board. Residents may also contact individual Board members at the following phone numbers:

* Don Barber, Supervisor (Phone: 607/539-3395)
* Ed Cope (Phone: 607/539-6391)
* Tim Seely (Phone: 607/539-1121)
* Nelly Farnum (Phone: 607/539-6792)
* Dominic Frongillo (Phone: 607/539-7335)

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Submit a comment to the board

Towns, unlike villages and cities, were only recently designated incorporated municipal corporations. Previously, they were referred to as “subdivisions of the county.” Originally, towns dealt only with such things as elections, the administration of law, and the construction and maintenance of roads. However, the increasing urbanization of the state and, more recently, the flight of population from central cities to adjacent towns has meant that towns have assumed greater powers. While towns are divided into three classes (”First”- more than 10,000 residents; “Second”-less than 10,000 residents; and “Suburban”- over 25,000 residents or 7,500 residents and close to a large city), the importance of such categories has decreased as all towns now provide the services that cities and villages provide, such as planning, police protection, and highway construction and maintenance.

Town Government differs from many city governments in that the majority of power rests in the legislature, or the town board, and that towns do not have a strong, separate executive branch of government. The leader of the town board, the town supervisor, is responsible for routine administration and will act as the treasurer, pay salaries, and sell or lease land as directed by the town board. The supervisor has neither veto power nor the power to break a tie.

Source: State of New York, Department of State. Local Government Handbook. Albany, New York: Department of State, 1987.

Caroline is a small town with a unique character and strong sense of community. It’s a town where people care about others, where community events are a big part of community life. We’re located just southeast of the Town of Ithaca. The area is made up of beautiful rolling hills, farms, and several small communities. We have more State forest land in Caroline than in all of the other towns in the County combined.

In 2004 the Town of Caroline became the 8th municipality in New York to purchase windpower to provide for part of its municipal electrical needs. Response was positive from community members, with encouragement to raise funds necessary to provide for 100% of our electrical needs in 2005. For more information click on the windpower symbol on the bottom of the page.

We have many active community organizations and a strong sense of community. It has an outstanding school system. It is a wonderful place to live or work and we welcome your visit. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information about Caroline.

Don Barber, Town Supervisor