LOCAL LAW NO. 4-2025 A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 42 OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO “PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS- CERTIFICATION OF MEMBERS”
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo adopted the following local law at a regular meeting held on the 25th day of June, 2025 at the Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York:
LOCAL LAW NO. 4-2025
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 42
OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO
“PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS- CERTIFICATION OF MEMBERS”
Chapter 42 of the Town Code of The Town of Ramapo shall be amended to include:
Article III Alternate Members
§ 42-8 Short title and applicability.
A. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Alternate Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Members Act."
B. This article shall apply to the appointment, terms, functions and powers of alternate members appointed to serve on the Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeals in the Town of Ramapo.
§ 42-9 Declaration of policy.
It is sometimes difficult to maintain a quorum on the Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeals because members are ill, on extended vacation or find they have a conflict of interest situation on a specific matter before such Board. In such instances, official business cannot be conducted, which may delay or impede adherence to required timeliness. The use of alternate members in such instances is hereby authorized pursuant to the provisions of this article.
§ 42-10 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERNATE MEMBER
An individual appointed by the Town Board to serve on the Town of Ramapo Planning Board or the Town of Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals when a regular member is unable to participate on an application or matter before the respective Board, as provided herein.
MEMBER
An individual appointed by the Town Board to serve on the Town of Ramapo Planning Board or the Town of Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals pursuant to the provisions of the local law or ordinance which first established such Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
§ 42-11 Authorization; Term of Office, Designation.
A. The Town Board of the Town of Ramapo hereby enacts this chapter to provide a process for appointing alternate members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. These individuals would serve when members are absent or unable to participate on an application or matter before the respective Board.
B. Alternate members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals shall be appointed by the Town Board or other duly authorized appointing authority for a term of two years.
- The chairperson of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals may designate an alternate to substitute for a member when such member is unable to participate on an application or matter before said board. When so designated, the alternate member shall possess all the powers and responsibilities of such member of the Board. Such designation shall be entered into the minutes of the initial Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at which the substitution is made.
- All provisions of state law relating to Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals member eligibility, vacancy in office, removal, compatibility of office and service on other boards, as well as any provisions of a local law or local ordinance relating to training, continuing education, compensation and attendance, shall also apply to alternate members.
§ 42-12 Supersession of Town Law.
This article is hereby adopted pursuant to the provision of § 10 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law and § 10 of the New York State Statute of Local Governments. It is the intent of the Town Board, pursuant to § 10 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, to supersede the provisions of:
- Section 271 of the Town Law § 239-c of the General Municipal Law relating to the appointment of members to the Town Planning Board; and/or
- Section 267 of the Town Law relating to the appointment of members to the Town Zoning Board of Appeals.
Section 5. Effective Date
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Dated: Suffern, New York,
July 2, 2025
JEFFREY POSNER
Town Clerk