The office of Town Clerk includes many different duties and responsibilities that are contained in New York State Town Law as well as in Local Law and other statutes.


  1. The Town Clerk is custodian of all the records, books and papers of the Town.
  2. The Town Clerk is designated by state law as the Town Records Management Officer. As the Town’s Records Management Officer, the Town Clerk coordinates the Town’s Records Management Program.
  3. The Town Clerk must attend meetings of the Town Board, act as the clerk thereof, and keep a complete and accurate record of the proceedings of each meeting and public hearing.
  4. The Town Clerk must maintain a Minute Book and enter in such book a copy of each resolution immediately after adoption by the Town Board.
  5. The Town Clerk records all local laws filed in his office.
  6. The Town Clerk is the filing officer of the town. The following are some of the various documents, papers and records in connection with the operation and administration of town government which are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office:
    1. All oaths of office of town and district officers.
    2. Original Town Board resolutions.
    3. Proofs of all publications and postings of notices where such notices are required.
    4. Tentative budget. The finance officer files the tentative budget with the Town Clerk, which after review and modification, if any, by the Town Board becomes the preliminary budget.
    5. Annual budget.
    6. Annual financial reports of the Supervisor.
    7. Audits conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller, or by an independent accounting firm.
    8. Notices of Decisions of the Town Zoning Board of Appeals.
    9. Claims against the Town.
    10. Department of Public Works contracts and bid bonds.
    11. Marriage licenses issued and birth and death registrar.
    12. Maps adopted in connection with zoning ordinance.
    13. Copies of Bingo and/or Games of Chance financial reports.
  7. The Town Clerk must procure and maintain a signboard at the entrance to his office for the posting of legal notices of the Town.
  8. The Town Clerk must issue many types of licenses and permits pursuant to the Town Law and various laws of the state.
  9. The Town Clerk shall also have such powers and duties as may be conferred or imposed upon him by the Town Board. The Town Clerk acts as records access officer, license commissioner, registrar, and marriage officer in the Town of Oyster Bay.