In conjunction with SUNY Potsdam, the Local Government Planning Committee would like to welcome everyone to the 34th Annual SUNY Potsdam Local Government Conference.
The conference will be Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in Kellas Hall. Please use parking lot 2 - View Parking Map (PDF).
The tracks offered will be:
- Assessors *
- Board Members and Budget & Finance
- Municipal Clerks
- Planning and Zoning *
- Public Works (Water and Sewer) *
* CEU (Continuing Education Units) will be offered where authorized.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8 - 8:30 a.m | Registration |
| 8:30 - 10 a.m. | Session 1 |
| 10 - 10:30 a.m. | Coffee and Networking |
| 10:30 a.m. - Noon | Session 2 |
| Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Keynote Speaker |
| 1:30 - 3 p.m. | Session 3 |
For more information, please contact Cindy Goliber at cgoliber@townofpotsdamny.gov.
Registration For:
The registration fee is $50.00 per person. All online registrations must be completed by October 2, 2026.
Register for the Local Government Conference
Notes:
- Please register each attendee separately.
- All online registrations must be completed by the end of the day on October 7, 2026.
- Please be advised that all communications related to the conference will be relayed via email. Postcards and registration forms will no longer be mailed.
- If you requested to be billed using the BILLME code, we will send out an invoice and payment must be brought to the conference and presented at registration. Any non-registered attendees may pay at the door the day of the conference.
- Please make all checks payable to the SUNY Potsdam College Foundation - with memo for 2026 Local Government Conference. Please do not mail checks to the College.
- Questions or alternate payments requests may be directed to potsdamlocalgovernment@gmail.com and cgoliber@townofpotsdamny.gov.
The registration fee is $300 per vendor table. All vendor online registrations must be completed by the end of the day on October 7, 2026.
Register for the Local Government Conference
Notes:
- Please register each vendor attendee separately and select BILLME for all vendor registrations. Please make all checks payable to the SUNY Potsdam College Foundation - with a note for 2026 Local Government Conference. Vendor checks should be brought to the conference.
- All vendor online registrations must be completed by the end of the day on October 7, 2026.
- Vendor registration includes a vendor table and two chairs. Lunch is provided for up to two participants. Vendors may begin arriving and set up by 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13.
- Please be advised that all communications related to the conference will be relayed via email. Postcards and registration forms will no longer be mailed.
- Questions or alternate payment requests may be directed to potsdamlocalgovernment@gmail.com and cgoliber@townofpotsdamny.gov.
SUNY Potsdam President, Dr. Suzanne Smith, will provide a greeting at lunch.
Schedule
Session 1: The Assessor’s Office: What Elected Officials Need to Know (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
Presenter:
Rob Bick, Town of Clay Assessor
Session 2: The History of Real Property Tax (10:30 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter:
Rob Bick, Town of Clay Assessor
Session 3: More Information to Come (1:30 - 3 p.m.)
Moderator:
Emily Wilson, Director of SLC Real Property Tax Services
Session 1: What’s is Happening in Albany and How it Affects North Country Municipalities (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
Presenter:
Chris Kotezle, Executive Director of NY Association of Towns
Session 2: Hero’s & Villain’s in Local Governments (10:30 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter:
NY Association of Towns Counsel
Session 3: The Importance of a Good Relationship with Your Banker (1:30 - 3 p.m.)
Presenter:
TBA, Community Bank, NA.
Session 1: Tax Collection Best Practices (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
Presenter:
Katie Hodgdon, NYAOT Association Counsel
Session 2: The A’s – Z’z of Records Management (10:30 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter:
Michael Martin, Records Advisory Officer
Session 3: Getting Your Head Above Water in the Sea of FOIL Requests (1:30 - 3 p.m.)
Presenter:
Kristin Bergin, Acting Executive Director and Counsel
Session 1: Land Use Moratoria (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
Presenters:
James Bragg, Local Government Specialist 2, NYS Department of State
Lindsey Drew, Local Government Specialist 2, NYS Department of State
Session 2: County Planning Board Referral (10:30 a.m. - Noon)
Presenters:
James Bragg, Local Government Specialist 2, NYS Department of State
Lindsey Drew, Local Government Specialist 2, NYS Department of State
Session 3: Site Plan elements: tell us what you review with your projects (1:30 - 3 p.m.)
Presenter: Jason Pfotenhauer, Director, St. Lawrence County Planning Office
Session 1: The Ever-Evolving World of PFAS in Water/Wastewater Treatment - (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
Presenter: Mark Koester, Chief Operating Officer, Koester Associates
Session Moderator: Bob Henninger, Chairman, NNYWWC
Session 2: Emerging Contaminant & Biosolids Management for Water/Wastewater (10:30 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Mark Koester, Chief Operating Officer, Koester Associates
Session Moderator: Bob Henninger, Chairman, NNYWWC
Session 3: Effective Preventative Maintenance in the Water/Wastewater Industry (1:30 - 3 p.m.)
Presenter: Mark Koester, Chief Operating Officer, Koester Associates
Session Moderator: Bob Henninger, Chairman, NNYWWC