N.Y. Town Law § 51: General powers of town board

§ 51. General powers of town board. The town board of a suburban town

shall be the legislative, appropriating, governing and policy

determining body of the town and shall have and exercise all such powers

and duties as are conferred or imposed upon it or are necessarily

incidental thereto which are consistent with the provisions of this

article; provided, however, that whenever the expense of a function or

activity is required by law or agreement to be a charge upon the taxable

property of that part of the town outside of any village and the

responsibility for the performance of such function or activity is

reassigned, transferred or changed in any way pursuant to the provisions

of this article, the expenses and liabilities attributable to such

function or activity shall continue to be a charge upon such taxable

real property outside of any village. In addition to functions, powers

and duties otherwise granted to it, the town board of a suburban town

also shall have the following functions, powers and duties:

1. Appointment of the heads and deputies of departments of town

government in cases in which such officers are appointive and the

hearing and determination of charges brought by the supervisor for the

removal from office of any of such appointive officers.

2. On recommendation of the supervisor, approval of budget

modifications and transfers between budgetary appropriations in the

annual budget or in the capital budget, if any.

3. Requiring reports from the supervisor concerning the conduct of the

official business of the town and the performance by town officers and

employees of their functions, powers and duties.

4. Making of studies and investigations as it deems to be in the best

interests of the town and, in connection therewith, to obtain and

provide for compensation for professional and technical advice, subpoena

witnesses, administer oaths and require the production of books, papers

and other evidence deemed necessary or material for any such study or

investigation.

5. Creation of non-compensated advisory boards, each member of which

shall be appointed by the town board or the supervisor, or both, as

shall be specified by the town board in its action providing for the

particular advisory board.

6. Determination and provision for any matter of town government not

otherwise provided for, including but not restricted to, any matter

necessarily involved in the transition to government of the town as a

suburban town under the provisions of this article.