Town Government

Tistrya Houghtling
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-794-8889, FAX: 518-794-9694

The supervisor is the presiding officer at all meetings of the town board; a town legislator voting at town board meetings; town executive and administrator carrying out the decisions made by the town board; and town fiscal officer.  Additionally, the supervisor is a member of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, the governing body of Columbia County.

2024 Town Board Meetings →
Links to meetings starting in 2017 are available from the sidebar at the above link.

If you would like to have the minutes of the Town Board Meetings and notices of special Town Board meetings and Public Hearings sent directly to your email address, email your request to [email protected] – your information will not be shared by requesting inclusion on this distribution list.

All meetings of the Town Board are open to the public. Please note, submission of any requests for inclusion on a town board agenda must be received in the Office of the Town Clerk no later than the close of business on the Wednesday immediately preceding the meeting. Any questions or concerns, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.

Town Resolutions
Budget & Finance

The following four members, plus the Town Supervisor, comprise the Town Board. 

Elizabeth Kroboth
email: [email protected]

Steve Powers
email: [email protected]

Craig Skerkis
email: [email protected]

Susan Tipograph
email: [email protected]

Click HERE to view the following:

Town Laws and codes
Town Policies
Proposed Legislation
Pending Legislation
Town Fee Schedule

For information on 2005 plan and the 2021 plan update: link

The Town Board, comprised of the Town Supervisor and four Council Members, is the governing board of the town. Council Members are elected for four year terms. Some of the responsibilities of the town board include filling vacancies in town offices; providing for the hiring of such employees as necessary for conducting the town’s business; overseeing town operations; adopting budgets; fixing salaries of officers and employees; managing expenditures; establishing policies and procedures; enacting local legislation.

Jeff Hattat, Code Enforcement Officer (CEO)
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-794-8884
FAX: 518-794-9694

Cissy Hernandez, Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO)
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-794-8884
FAX: 518-794-9694

Samantha Long, Planning Board Clerk
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-794-8884
FAX: 518-794-9694

Maggie Simmons
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-365-9872

Click here for information on New York State’s Pet Dealer & Breeder Licensing Program

For more information on dog licensing and New York State requirements, click here: http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AI/small_animals.html

click here for information on Bears

 These reviews are provided as a courtesy. The timeline for informal review is limited, therefore, only qualified submissions will be reviewed. To qualify for an informal review, you must provide the following items.

1. Both interior and exterior photos of home and any outbuildings.
2. Your opinion of value with supporting documentation. Such as, 3 – 5 comparable sales, (list of sales – coming soon) or a Broker price opinion/comparative market analysis or appraisal using the Valuation Date of July 1, 2023.
3. For convenience you can print an informal review sheet

2024-NL-assessor-informal-review-form

For your convenience, you can use this Sales Worksheet to assist you:
2024-NL-assessor-comp-sales-worksheet

Completed informal review paperwork can be mailed or dropped off at the Town Hall up until March 22. No forms will be accepted by email. Anyone submitting informal review paperwork will receive a new notice around May 1. 

Grievance day will be held at the Town Hall, 14577 Route 22, New Lebanon between the hours of 1-4 and 5-8 on May 29, 2024

The Board of Assessment Review is a public meeting held  once a year in the Meeting room located in the New Lebanon Town Hall.

Complaint forms can be accepted up until the close of the meeting. However, to avoid an adjournment forms should be submitted 3 days prior to Grievance Day to allow time for the Assessor to review. Forms can be mailed, emailed or dropped off at the Town Hall.

Grievance Form
Sales Worksheet (not required, but provided for your convenience)

Complaint forms can be accepted up until the close of the meeting. You may appear in person but it is not required.

Mail or drop off two (2) copies of your forms at the Town Hall.

To avoid an adjournment, forms should be submitted 3 days prior to Grievance Day to allow time for the Assessor to review.

You must use a separate form for each parcel

You must state your determination of value (what you believe your assessment should be) on line 7.

Helpful hints

Provide supporting information that supports your determination of value.

1. Provide photos
2. Provide sales of similar properties, appraisal or Realtor Comparative Market analysis
3. Do not discuss “tax implications” or “percentage increase”.
4. Grievance complaints are to be based on your MARKET VALUE as of July 1, 2023.
5. If you are not appearing in person, it is suggested that you include a cover letter with a summary of your complaint

IN PERSON NOTES –.  A copy of your form and documentation should be submitted at least 3 days prior to the meeting (May 23^rd). The Assessor will need time to review and respond to Board of Assessment questions. Walk-ins that have not pre-submitted their information are subject to an adjournment. NO appointments.  First come first serve basis. 10 minutes per parcel

Kimberly Smith
email: [email protected]
phone: 518-794-8875
FAX: 518-794-9694

Fastest and easiest way to contact the assessor is via email.

NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS)
Columbia County Real Property
New Lebanon  Assessment Roll
Assessment & Inventory Data for all Columbia County Municipalities
Deeds and Public Records
Tax Bills
Tax Foreclosure Sales

RENEWALS are sent the first week in December.

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 1.  LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DENIED.

If you’ve recently bought your home or you’ve never applied for the STAR benefit on your current home, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars each year. You only need to register for the STAR credit once, and you’ll continue to receive the annual benefit as long as you’re eligible. Register Below!

Switching from the exemption to the credit? Register below! You may receive a greater benefit.

REGISTER FOR STAR

Enhanced Star Renewals

The Tax Department will annually review applicants’ income to determine their eligibility for the Enhanced STAR exemption. You do not need to reapply with the Assessor.  If additional information is needed, the department will contact the property owner directly.  For Enhanced Star questions call 518-457-2036.

Changing from Basic STAR to Enhanced STAR.  If you currently have Basic STAR on your tax bill and are turning 65 years old with an adjusted gross income of less than 93,200 you may be eligible for Enhanced STAR.  For this you WILL apply with the Assessor.  Please call 518-794-8875 to have these forms mailed to you.

• Agricultural Assessment Exemption: RP-305 (new Ag),  RP-305-R (renewals) –
  • Soils Group Worksheets can be obtained at Columbia County Soil and Water District   (518) 828-4386 x 3
• Low Income Disabled Exemption:RP-459-c (new applicants),  RP-459-C-Rnw (renewals)
  • This provides for an exemption in the amount of between 5% and 50% depending on Income.
  • The current Income Limit for the Town and County is between $34,000 for a 50% exemption and $42,399 for a 5% exemption.
  • Income includes all Social Security. All owners and their Spouses income is included. 
• Low Income Senior Exemption: RP-467 (new applicants), RP-467-Rnw (for renewals)
  • This provides for an exemption in the amount of between 5% and 50% depending on Income.
  • The current Income Limit for the Town and County is between $34,000 for a 50% exemption and $42,399 for a 5% exemption.
    • Income includes all Social Security. All owners and their Spouses income is included. 
    • You MUST include a copy of your prior year Federal Tax Return. If you do not file a return you MUST fill out an Income Worksheet.
•  Alternative Veteran’s Exemption: (RP-458-a) 
• Cold War Veteran’s Exemption (RP-458-b)
• Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance workers – (RP-466-a)

• Non Profit Exemptions: See this Page of the Assessor’s Manual for details and a list of necessary forms for new applicants and for renewals.
• Forest exemptions

For exemption renewals, applicants will be mailed or a renewal form around December 1st. If you do not receive a form by the end of December, please contact the A

https://www.columbiacountyny.com/rpassessments.html