Ways to Get Involved

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.

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

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 NO_x.

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.

EIC Wind Project Final Report
EIC Analysis for Private Investor

TOWN OF CAROLINE

20 hours a week; $11.74 per hour

Please complete and return a Tompkins County Employment application to Caroline Town Clerk, PO Box 136, Slaterville Springs, NY  14881. (Resume with cover letter also accepted.)

Job open until position filled

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a responsible clerical position that assists the Town Clerk in carrying out the administrative duties and responsibilities of the office including those related to Town and County tax collection. This position is appointed by the Town Clerk. Work is performed under the supervision of the Town Clerk permitting leeway for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. This is a part-time position with a standard work week of 20 hours; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm (with a 1/2 hour break) and Wednesday 2:00pm-6:00pm including a Tuesday evening a month to take minutes for the Caroline Town Board meeting.  Friday’s the office is closed.  Weekday hours have some flexibility.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

- Answers various inquiries from Town residents and other municipal offices, answers incoming telephone calls and directs them to appropriate departments;

- Issues marriage, dog, hunting, fishing and other licenses/permits and related documents and transcripts;

- Assists with the maintenance of files, contracts, easements, and the records management program and archives;

- Assists with mailings, typing and copying;

- Assists in completing reports and documentation;

- Types and records minutes for Town Board meetings once a month or in the absence of the Town Clerk;

- Collects permit fees and other miscellaneous fees and charges payable to the Town;

- Makes deposits and assists Town Clerk with reconciliation;

- Assists in the mailing, collection, issuing receipts, and reconciliation of Town and County tax bills for apportioned properties, calculates in Lieu of Tax payments and Special Assessment District tax bills, performs tax searches upon request;

- Substitutes for the Town Clerk when necessary, and performs other duties as assigned;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

- Good knowledge of office terminology and procedures;

- Good knowledge of business arithmetic and English;

- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions;

- Ability to compose reports and maintain records;

- Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with boards, committees, residents and other agencies;

- Ability to maintain confidentiality;

- Ability to obtain a Notary Public license;

- Ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, and calculator;

- Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs;

- Possession of integrity and honesty;

- Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position;

- Ability to obtain bond desirable;

- Knowledge of municipal government desirable;

SUGGESTED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(a)    Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND three years of office clerical experience dealing with the public and working with cash transactions; or

(b)    Graduation from a two year college post high school business course and one year of clerical experience; or

(c)    A satisfactory combination of the foregoing training and experience.

Please complete a Tompkins County Employment application and send to Caroline Town Clerk, PO Box 136 Slaterville Springs NY 14881

For more information:

Marilou Harrington
Caroline Town clerk

(607) 539-6400
clerk@townofcaroline.org

Planning Board Minutes July 8 2010

DRAFT TOWN OF CAROLINE LOCAL LAW of 2010 EXCAVATION AND CONSTRUCTION IN MUNICIPAL ROADWAYS AND HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY

for public comment.

An electronic copy is available here: DRAFT Caroline Roadway Excavation Local Law

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Blood Drive at Brooktondale Fire Hall

The American Red Cross is holding a blood donation drive at the Brooktondale Fire Hall on Friday July 30th from 1pm to 6pm.

Please contact the American Red Cross at (607) 273-1900 to schedule an appointment.

Get Involved!
Send a note to the Planning Board

Comprehensive Plan
Download Here, PDF (1MB)

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.

Get involved

If you are interested in helping these efforts, please get involved! Call Chad Novelli at 539-6628 for more information.

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Planning Board meeting

Thursday 6:30pm

Town Hall

The Town of Caroline is served by 4 school districts Ithaca, New York, Dryden, New York, Newark Valley, New York and Candor. Caroline Elementary School serves the northern and central portions of the town. Brooktondale Baptist School, sponsored by Brooktondale Baptist Church, closed around 2002, although the parish continues.

The town was first settled around 1794 while the region was still part of Tioga County. Caroline was part of the Watkins and Flint Purchase (1791).

The Town of Caroline was formed from the Town of Spencer (now in Tioga County) in 1811.

In 2004 Caroline became the 8th municipality in New York State to purchase wind power to provide part of the municipal electrical needs; in 2005 it became the 2nd municipality to purchase wind power for 100% of its electricity use.

On April 19 2008, volunteers in Caroline coordinated largest single-day distribution of energy-saving light bulbs rural New York State. In three hours, ninety volunteers delivered over 1,400 bags containing one energy-saving light bulb to almost every household in the town.

Learn about Caroline history