NYCL AGO 95-50.

• Case Date: October 25, 1995
• Court: New York

New York Attorney General Opinions 1995. AGO 95-50. October 25, 1995Informal Opinion No. 95-50Theodore Drew, Esq. Town Attorney Town of Thompson P. O. Drawer 1069 Monticello, NY 12701MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW §§ 10(1)(ii)(a)(1) and (d)(3), 23(2)(e); TOWN LAW § 24-a.A town board may reduce the term of its supervisor from four to two years by local law subject to mandatory referendum.Dear Mr. Drew: You have indicated that your town has adopted a resolution, subject to referendum, to increase the term of office of the supervisor from two to four years. Action was taken under section 24-a of the Town Law. You have asked, if the electors of the town approve this change, whether the town board at a future date can take action to return to the two-year term and what procedure should be followed in order to reduce the term. Section 24-a of the Town Law authorizes a town board to adopt a resolution, subject to referendum, to increase the term of an elective town officer to four years. We have not found nor are we aware of any provision of the Town Law which authorizes a reduction of a four-year term to two years. In our view, the town board may enact a local law to reduce the term of the supervisor. Local governments, including towns, are authorized to enact local laws, which are consistent with the Constitution and general State laws, in relation to the terms of office of their officers...