1) Where is the Public Safety Center?
The Public Safety Center is located at 312 (old) Wolf Road in Latham.

2) Where are the Police located?
The Police are located in the Public Safety Center on 312 (old) Wolf Road in Latham.

3) Where do I file a small claim?
You may file a small claim in our Justice Court, located in the the Public Safety Center (312 (old) Wolf Road in Latham).

4) How do you obtain a building permit?
To obtain a building permit you would go to the Building Department located in the Public Operations Center, 347 Old Niskayuna Road, and fill out an application, or view the application online at the Building Department Web Site.

5) Do you need a building permit to build a shed?
Yes.

6) Where is the Town Clerk's Office located?
The Town Clerk's office is located on the first floor of Memorial Town Hall, 534 Loudon Rd. In Latham (across from Siena College).

7) How do I obtain a marriage license?
A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply together in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. Each applicant must furnish two forms of identification when applying for a license. According to Town of Colonie policy,only the following documents are acceptable: driver's license, birth certificate, passport, or baptismal record. In the event one of the parties is a not a citizen of the United States, the following identification will be accepted: passport, Green card, USA Resident Alien Card, work permit or naturalization papers.

The application for a license must be signed both by the future bride and the groom in the presence of the Clerk. If both parties are eighteen (18) years of age or older, no written parental or judicial consent is required. Certified information regarding previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse or spouses are living, and whether the applicants are divorced and if so, when, where and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted. Only an original or certified copy of the Decree of Divorce for each divorce is accepted. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony may not occur within twenty-four (24) hours from the exact time that the license is issued and the document is then valid for sixty (60) days after the twenty-four hour waiting period.

8) How do I obtain a Town of Colonie golf permit?
Golf permits may be obtained at the Town Clerk's office. In order to obtain either a Colonie Golf Permit or a Senior Golf Permit please bring at least two forms of ID to prove that you are a resident or property tax payer in the Town of Colonie. Residents over 62 may attain a senior golf permit. The fee is $50 for a senior permit and it allows you in to the Town courses for a reduced rate. The senior golf card pays for itself if you plan to golf over 6 times in the year.

9) Do we need a permit to have a garage sale?
No. Garage sales are intended to be a means for homeowners or renters to rid themselves of unneeded household items. It has been the Building Department's policy to permit no more than one or two a year. However, when a homeowner or renter imports items for sale, then it is a violaton of our zoning law, since it is the same as running a business from a residence.

10) Where do I get a handicapped permit?
The Town Clerk's office can issue these permits, however, a form produced by DMV must be properly filled out by the resident. This form is available at the Town Clerk's office.

11) Where do I get a passport?
The Town Clerk's office does not issue passports. Residents should go to their local major post office such as Colonie Center or New Karner Road.

12) Where do I get a DBA?
Not at at Town Clerk's Office, residents can obtain a DBA at the County Clerks Office.

13) Where do you get a landfill permit?
Residents may obtain a Town of Colonie landfill permit at the Town Clerk's Office. For a residential permit please have available proof of residency and the license plate of the vehicle which will carry the landfill sticker issued. For a commercial permit the application can be obtained at the Clerk's office.

14) Where do you get a pool permit?
The Town Clerk's office does issue pool permits, please provide proof of residency at time of application and if you are 62 or older, and you bring proof of your age, you can get a a senior permit that will qualify you for reduced park rates.

15) Where do I get a fishing license?
You can get a fishing license at the Town Clerk's office.

16) Where do I register to vote?
Both the New York State Voter Registration Form and the Absentee Ballot Application are available through the Town of Colonie Clerk's Office. The Voter Registration Form is used when an individual needs to: register to vote, change their name or address (if there is a change since the last time they voted) or to enroll or change their enrollment in a particular political party. This form can be either filled out at or forwarded to the Clerk's Office or the Albany County Board of Elections (basement level in the Albany County Courthouse, Albany).

If you want to vote in an election, this form needs to be received by the board of elections no later than twenty-five (25) days prior to the election in which you want to vote. Eligibility to vote will be based upon the date that the voter registration form was filed. In the event a person is already registered but will not be able to physically go to their preassigned polling place to vote in a primary or a general election, an Absentee Ballot Application can be utilized. Once filled out and returned in a timely fashion to either the Town Clerk or the Albany County Board of Elections, the individual will be subsequently sent a paper ballot and be given the opportunity to vote.

17) Where do I get a hunting license?
You may obtain a hunting license at the Town Clerk's office.

18) Where do I get a certificate of residency?
To obtain a Certificate of Residency, the Clerk will need to see documentation from the applicant which would prove one year's residency in New York State and six month's residency in Albany County. In addition, the applicant's signature must be witnessed and notarized. Usually, a drivers license will satisfy both of these requirements. However in the event that the applicant has moved, lived in a different county, or has been recently issued a new license, additional documentation will be needed.

Examples of additional acceptable documentation would be dated first class mail sent to the applicant at their current address, a property deed or lease or a pay stub which lists the applicant's address. There is no fee to obtain a Certificate of Residency.

19) Where do I pay my taxes?
A resident may pay his or her taxes at the Office of the Receiver of Taxes on the first floor of Memorial Town Hall, 534 Loudon Road in Latham (across from Siena)

20) What can you tell me about the STAR program?
Please look at our Assessors site or www.geocities.com/PicketFence/7747/star.htm for good information on the program or www.orps.state.ny.us for more information and forms. Forms are also available at the Town Library information desk.

21) When can I grieve my taxes?
If you believe your assessment is incorrect, please feel free to contact the Town of Colonie Assessor's Office. Our appraisal staff will be happy to listen to your concerns regarding your assessment.
The following information may help you prepare for your meeting with us so that we may understand your situation:
1) Recent purchase contracts;
2) Recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood;
3) Current appraisal of your property.
If you are not satisfied with the determination made by the assessor after the informal review process, a complaint may be filed with the Town of Colonie Board of Assessment Review. The dates for filing the complaint form are between May 1st and the 4th Tuesday in May. Grievance Day is always the 4th Tuesday of May each year.

22) Where is the senior resources department located?
The Town's Senior Resources Department recently relocated to Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle, just off Wolf Road.

23) How does a senior get a discount on cable?
For those over 65 and older whose income is under $29,899 (including Social Security). Recipient must be the head of household, and recipient's name must be on the cable bill. If you received any premium channels, you are not eligible for the discount. Applications are taken January through May 15 with the $3 discount starting in July.

24) What days are leaves picked up in the various locations in the Town?
Weekly collection of yard wastes should begin in April with pick-up as follows:
Monday- Shaker Rd./Loudonville
Tuesday- Fuller Rd. And West Albany #1 & #2
Wednesday- Latham and Schuyler Heights
Thursday- Boght, Verdoy, & Maplewood
Friday- Midway and Stanford Heights.
The annual Curbside Collection Guide, is published in the Spring by the Environmental Services Department and can be accessed online when it becomes available on their Web page.

25) If I have a snowplowing problem, who should I call?
If there is a snowplowing problem please call the Highway Department as they oversee the Town's snowplowing.

26) Where do I buy leaf bags?
Leaf bags can be purchased at Memorial Town Hall, Town Community Center, Town Landfill and the Village of Menands Village Offices. The bags are 5 for $2.50.

27) Where do I pay an ambulance bill?
At the Comptrollers Office.

28) How do I get an accident report?
You can obtain an accident report from the Police Department by filing a Freedom of Information Law Request (FOIL) form. Please have the date of the incident and the street location if possible.

29) Do we have a noise ordinance in the Town?
Yes, the Town adopted a local law pertaining to noise in 2003. A copy of the local law can be accessed through the home page of this web site. It is at Chapter 135 of the Town Code or you can click on the link below.

Chapter 135, Noise Control

30) How do I get a dumpster?
Arrangements for a dumpster should be made with the Highway Department.

31) How can I reach Mary Brizzell?
The Supervisor can be reached by phone at 783-2728 by mail at Memorial Town Hall, P.O. Box 508, Newtonville, NY 12128 or by E-mail at brizzellm@colonie.org.

32) What is the number of the library?
The Library's phone number is 458-9274.

33) How do I reach the Youth Bureau?
The Youth Bureau can be reached by telephone at 456-2135 or by mail at 1653 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205.

34) When does the band play and where?
The Town band and Town Brass Choir play in all different places throughout the year. Contact the Department of Parks and Recreation for an updated schedule at 783-2760.

35) When are concerts in the barn?
Concerts in the barn are held at the Buhrmaster Barn at the Pruyn House Town of Colonie Cultural Center. For a schedule of events please contact the Pruyn House at 783-1437 or e-mail them at pruynhouse@colonie.org.

36) What is the procedure for reserving the Gazebo behind Town Hall for a wedding or wedding pictures?
Call the Supervisor's office with the date and time you wish to reserve the Gazebo. If the Gazebo is available, your name and telephone number will serve as your reservation.

URL: http://www.colonie.org/faq.html
Last updated 01/31/08