Frequently Asked Questions

That would depend on what municipality you live in. If you are unsure which town you live in, you can look at County maps.

The county no longer has a dump or transfer station.

Residents are encouraged to contract with a waste company for curbside pickup.

Information on solid waste and recycling drop off locations throughout the county can be found here: https://www.schuylercounty.us/528/Recycling-Solid-Waste

The county holds a Household Hazardous Waste event in conjunction with Yates County each year: https://www.schuylercounty.us/775/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Day

Services include psychotherapy and counseling for families, parents, children and groups; case management for children and adults; psychiatric services for children and adults; psychological testing for children and adults; and crisis intervention services during regular business hours.

• Penal law violations
• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Parole hearings
• SORA hearings
• Most custody / visitation matters
• Neglect
• Support violations

You can learn more about H5N1 (Avian Flu) on the following websites:

• USDA’s response to H5N1 in dairy cattle: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock
• CDC’s response: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/mammals.htm
  • H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
• FDA’s response: https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai

Please call 607-535-7108 to request masks, gloves and refillable hand sanitizer bottles & refills and we will prepare it for you, marked with your name to pick up from the deputies at the front desk in the Human Services Building located at 323 Owego St., Montour Falls.  

OFA will provide a mileage sheet with instructions for completion and submission available at the Human Services building or via email.

Probation supervision is an alternative to incarceration option to address criminal behavior in the criminal court system or as a deterrent for unacceptable behavior in family court that helps influence law abiding behavior while allowing the probationer to continue to reside and function in the community without the drawbacks of incarceration or placement.

Probation supervision influences law abiding behavior by requiring a probationer to abide by court ordered terms and conditions that restrict a probationer’s criminal or unwanted behavior and often includes certain treatment requirements or basic mandates the probationer must follow.  

A probation sentence may include specific supervision terms such as attending substance abuse treatment, Drug Treatment Court, mental health counseling, sex offender treatment, refraining from entering a bar, submitting to drug or alcohol tests, drivers license restrictions, ignition interlock requirements, house arrest or curfews, community service and paying restitution among other terms as needed. Please see our Terms and Conditions Court/Client Forms.

The obvious benefit to probation supervision is that a person can be held accountable for a crime or poor behavior, and still be able to function within the community without the restrictions of incarceration or placement. Unlike a straight incarceration term or placement, a person placed on probation can continue their employment, take care of their family, earn money to pay financial obligations. They can attend treatment programs and attend school or college, all while they are monitored by a probation officer and restricted to law abiding behavior.

Probation supervision lightens the jail population by allowing people to be under supervision instead of locked up in jail or prison.  Although a probation sentence can be coupled with a jail term, most often probation is a sentence in and of itself and helps people avoid incarceration all together. This helps drastically reduce the prison population while giving the probationer the opportunity to make positive behavioral changes through access to services and treatment in the community. On average, there are more people under probation supervision in New York State than there are people incarcerated through the Department of Community Corrections or under Parole Supervision combined. Another benefit is actual costs between incarceration and probation. In general, incarceration costs anywhere from 10-15 times more than the amount of the cost to supervise someone under probation. Probation supervision results in a major cost savings to both the counties and New York State by diverting so many people away from the jail/prison system.

There are generally two ways someone can be placed under probation supervision, either through a criminal court sentence or family court order. 

 In Criminal Court- A person must be charged with a crime. The court will order an informational investigation to be completed by probation. See investigations under General Services.  If there is a conviction and it is appropriate, a sentence of probation supervision can be issued by the court. If required or appropriate and there is an adjudication as a youthful offender, a disposition ordering probation supervision can be issued. Sometimes Interim Probation can also be used in the criminal court system. That is when a person is found guilty of a crime, but not sentenced yet. That person can be placed on Interim Probation Supervision for 1 to 2 years to see how they will comply with supervision. If they do well, then they can be brought back to court after their interim term for a sentence that is adjusted according to their behavior while supervised. If they do well, it is usually a lesser sentence than it would have originally been. If they do poorly, they can then be sentenced to the maximum or appropriately adjusted term based on their poor behavior.  

 In Family Court- A respondent  must be found to be a Juvenile Delinquent or Person In Need of Supervision in Family Court to be placed under probation supervision. Refer to our JD and PINS section under General Services for more details. A Pre-Dispositional Investigation is typically ordered for case details and sentencing options, and if appropriate, the respondent is ordered to probation with appropriate supervision terms.

After receiving a court order placing a person on probation, a probation officer is assigned to the case. In Schuyler County, it is usually the same officer that conducted the investigation on the individual so there is familiarity between the two. The officer will then contact the probationer and set up an intake appointment. The officer will review what is expected from the probationer as outlined in the court ordered supervision terms, as well as any required office visits, home visits and collateral contacts that they will have to meet. After making sure the probationer has been read and understands each probation term precisely, they will be given copies of any paperwork needed and create a case plan with the probationer based on those probation terms to meet the courts goals and accomplish the desired positive behavioral change.  

These are ways that a probation officer keeps in touch with a probationer and checks up on how they are complying with their terms and conditions. A probation officer must keep in constant contact with each probationer to monitor their behavior and compliance with requirements. They are placed in a supervision status and assigned a risk level based on an assessment that is conducted, and that determines how often they must report to our office to check in with their officer. It also determines how often we perform home visits and how many collateral contacts we conduct to verify they are complying with the court requirements.  

Office visits are required to maintain in person contact with our probationers. A probationers address and phone number are typically verified in each visit. Standard information is exchanged during office visits such as how the probationer is doing in treatment, at school or work or at home. If problems occur, longer meetings take place to discuss them. Home visits happen less often but are also required frequently to follow up on compliance and monitor behavior in the home. An officer may visit a probationer’s home at any time that they feel it is appropriate and necessary to enforce or monitor probation conditions. An officer has the authority, per a court order, to verify a probationer’s residence and search their property or their person to determine their compliance with their supervision requirements. Collateral contacts are when an officer talks with a person affiliated with the probationer. This can be a treatment provider, parent, teacher, employer, police officer, anyone who may have contact with the probationer that can provide probation with helpful information regarding their compliance and behavioral progress. All of these functions are performed to make sure the probationer is complying with their terms and conditions as ordered by the court.

They are similar in concept, but how a person arrives at each form of supervision is different. Both services are also operated and governed by separate bodies of authority. Probation is generally run by a county government, and parole is run by the state. Probation is similar to parole in that there is a supervising officer who watches over an individual to make sure they are abiding by a set of specific conditions while influencing appropriate behavior and enforcing community safety. Probation supervision is a sentence or original sanction by itself that is ordered by the court. Someone on parole supervision would have originally been sentenced to a state prison term as their primary disposition. Parole supervision may be granted for an inmate who is released early from incarceration, it allows them to be under the supervision of a parole officer while they complete the remainder of their prison time outside of the actual facility. Parole can also assist parolees to transition back into the community after their release.

Although our department is not bound by the same confidentiality as a medical treatment provider, we still respect the confidentiality of our probationers. Our Officers will not release personal or confidential information to anyone about a probationer unless it is legally permitted or allowable and also related to accomplishing compliance with their mandates or for enforcing public safety. However, our officers can take any information from the public to assist them in supervising our probationers and investigate any tips to discover if a probation violation may have occurred. Contact us at 607-535-8165 or Contact Us with any information regarding a probationer that you feel may have violated their probation requirements. 

A Violation of Probation is when a probationer does not follow the court ordered terms and conditions. It could include new criminal behavior or arrest charges, failure to cooperate with treatment services, use of illicit substances, or repeatedly missed office visits. A violation might be anything that a probationer does that is contrary to the court ordered supervision requirements to influence the positive behavioral change desired by the court. The supervising probation officer will review any suspected violation behavior to determine an appropriate course of action. If the officer determines a violation is appropriate and required, then they will file a written violation notification to the court that holds legal jurisdiction over the probationer’s case.

After a probationer has broken a court ordered condition, the supervising probation officer has several options to consider as sometimes they have discretion on how to proceed. They may discuss the infraction with the probationer. If the infraction is small and happened once, or infrequently, then the officer may simply discuss the issue with the probationer, give them a warning not to do it again, and pay close attention to the behavior making sure it is not repeated. If the infraction is a serious one, or a small but frequent problem, then the officer may file a written notice of violation to the court notifying the judge of the infraction with a recommendation on what to do with the probationer moving forward.

A probation officer must always include a recommendation as to the disposition of a case when filing a violation. The officer should be very familiar with the case and should have the best knowledge on what outcome would be most beneficial to the probationer as well as the community as a result. Recommendations could include reengaging in a treatment program, a short term of incarceration with probation continued, community service, and even up to revocation of probation supervision followed by a new sentence of incarceration if appropriate.

The terms for probation supervision are up to 3 years supervision for a misdemeanor, up to 5 years of supervision for a felony, up to 6 years of supervision for a misdemeanor sex offense and up to 10 years of supervision for a felony sex offense.

Yes. The court holding jurisdiction is the only authority that can grant an early discharge from probation supervision. The policy of Schuyler County Probation is that a probationer must serve at a minimum, one half of their term of probation and be in good standing with their court orders before an early discharge can be recommended from a probation officer to the court.

No, police and probation officers are different. Police Officers have authority over a population of people that are within a geographical jurisdiction, usually a township, county, or state. Police officers enforce all laws in their geographical jurisdiction and are generally required to act when a law is broken in that area. A probation officer is defined as a peace officer under NYS Criminal Procedure Law 2.10. Probation officers have authority over a population of people that are ordered to be under their supervision. They enforce very specific rules and some laws that are outlined in orders issued to them by the courts. Probation officers are generally not required to immediately act if a probation term or law is broken. A Probation officer usually exists and operates within their county borders within in each state. However, there are federal probation offices and officers that work within the federal government and cross state borders and boundaries.  

Probation Officers powers are defined under Criminal Procedural Law 2.20, powers of arrest can be found in CPL 140.25, searches under CPL 410.50 and use of physical force and deadly physical force under Penal Law article 35.30. All of those powers are also regulated and outlined within each county’s own individualized probation policy manual.

Please write to us at Contact Us and we will answer and post them as soon as possible. We hope this website has been informative and helpful in learning more about your local probation office and the workings of probation supervision within New York State.   

Knowing what different rates, plans, features and customer-oriented programs each company offers will help you choose the electric provider that best fits your needs.

The use of alcohol and other drugs has been linked to a variety of negative consequences, especially for youth. Substance use can lead to:

• Physical and mental health problems: injuries, disease, depression, memory problems
• Academic problems: absenteeism, poor grades
• Poor peer and family relationships: social alienation
• Legal issues: arrests
• Violence
• Economic problems: cost of medical and treatment services and societal costs
• Long-term drug dependence and abuse
  • The younger someone is when they start using drugs, the more likely they are to become addicted. Alcohol and other drugs can hinder healthy adolescent brain development.
• Death: accidents, disease, homicide, suicide

Sources:

Teens' decision to drink alcohol or use other drugs is influenced by:

• If alcohol or other drugs are easy to get
• If parents, neighborhood adults, or friends disapprove of teen drinking or other drug use
• If parents provide teens with alcohol or other drugs
• If they see teen alcohol or other drug use as dangerous
• If they think teens who drink alcohol or use other drugs will be caught by the police
• If they think they would be caught by their parents if they used alcohol or other drugs
• If there is a lot of alcohol or tobacco advertising
• If they experienced violence, mental illness, or drug use in their household

Sources

^{https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide/introduction}

^{https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17485618}

^{https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16389206}

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHresults2012/NSDUHresults2012.pdf}

To help prevent teen drug use, you can:

• Show you disapprove of underage drinking or other drug use
• Let teens know you don't want them to drink or use other drugs because you want them to be safe and happy
• Show teens that you are a trustworthy source of information about alcohol and other drugs
• Let them know you will notice if they drink or use other drugs
• Teach teens tips for resisting peer pressure and ways to refuse alcohol or other drugs if they are offered them
• Get involved in SCCUDD

Remember, it doesn’t need to be one big talk. It’s better to do multiple small talks.

Sources

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals}

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency (FLACRA)

Watkins Glen Outpatient Clinic

Mill Creek Center, 106 S Perry St Watkins Glen, NY 14891

607-535-8260

Addictions Crisis Line: 315-462-9466

24/7 Opioid Response Team: 833-435-2272

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)

24/7 HOPEline: 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or Text HopeNY: 467369

FindAddictionTreatment.NY.gov

SAMHSA's National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment Services Locator

In April 2006, concerned community members came together to form the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) in response to:

• Photos of an underage drinking party posted to social media causing the football team to have to forfeit an important game
• The arrest of a mother for purchasing a car-trunk full of alcohol for her children and their friends
• The 2006 Community Health Assessment found that alcohol use was the #1 health concern of county residents and that the county had: ◦2 times the state rate of youth DWI arrests
• 2 times the state rate of unintentional injuries and death
• 3 times the state rate of youth on probation with alcohol involvement
• A high rate of youth injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents

 The coalition originally focused on reducing alcohol availability, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, and changing social norms. Early activities included:

• DA letter to graduating seniors’ parent about hosting laws
• Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don't be a Party to Teenage Drinking campaign
• Sheriff-provided retailer trainings on age proofing and provision of detection machines
• Clings on store coolers
• Anonymous Tip Line
• Beer garden at Italian American Festival
• Ended the practice of the senior class receiving beer mugs or wine glasses with school logo

In 2012, the coalition entered into a Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Grant with Tompkins County's Community Coalition for Healthy Youth (CCHY). With CCHY's guidance, the coalition expanded its focus to include other drugs and updated its name from the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) to the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD). The coalition also worked on updating its by-laws and structure, increasing coalition capacity through education and skill-building trainings, and conducted focus groups with community youth to further understand the drug-related social norms and issues facing youth.

In October 2014, SCCUDD was awarded a federal Drug-Free Communities Support Grant by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This five-year grant secured federal resources to reduce youth use of alcohol and other drugs by supporting community-driven solutions.

As a Drug-Free Communities Support Grant recipient, SCCUDD works to increase community collaboration and reduce youth substance use by employing the Seven Strategies for Effective Community Change:

• Providing Information to individuals regarding youth substance use, how to prevent youth substance use, and the consequences of youth substances use.
  • Examples of activities include: flyers, media campaigns, and events
• Enhancing Skills by training community members so they can better help create change in the community.
  • Examples of activities include: server compliance or parenting skills trainings
• Providing Support to help people participate in activities that reduce risk or enhance protection.
  • Examples of activities include: drug-free events or parties and youth organizations
• Enhancing Access and Reducing Barriers by improving systems and processes to help people utilize services.
  • Examples of activities include: prescription drug take back programs and improved access to substance use services
• Changing Consequences by changing incentives and disincentives to increase or decrease the likelihood of positive or negative behaviors.
  • Examples of activities include: recognition programs and increased DUI checkpoints
• Changing Physical Design by altering the built environment to reduce risk or enhance protection.
  • Examples of activities include: improving visibility in public places to make surveillance easier and having alcohol- and tobacco-free zones
• Modifying and Changing Policies by formally altering written laws, policies, and procedures.
  • Examples of activities include: revising school policies relating to alcohol and other drug use and changing local laws relating to alcohol and other drug use

Sources

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/grants/pdf/sp-14-002.pdf}

Older adults are a vulnerable population and all volunteers go through the process which includes a volunteer application, criminal background check, motor vehicle record check, reference check, phone interview and approval from both the Director and County Administrator.

OFA will provide a mileage sheet with instructions for completion and submission available at the Human Services building or via email.

We can set up a volunteer schedule that works for you. Whether that be once a week, once a month or as needed, just mention your preferences when you complete the volunteer application.

It depends on the position. Some positions have a set weekly schedule and others are flexible and based on your availability. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more detailed information.

It typically takes about 1-2 weeks to review the application, provide a motor vehicle records check, criminal background check, reference check, phone interview and get final approval from the Director of Office for the Aging and the County Administrator.

Call Schuyler County Office for the Aging at 607-535-7108 to request a volunteer application, or email kpound@co.schuyler.ny.us. The volunteer application can either printed and mailed or emailed.

We accept volunteers from outside of Schuyler County. Snowbirds are welcome too!

Once OFA receives your completed volunteer application, they will review it and an OFA staff member will reach out to you when we have an open position and set up training.

Not always. While we do try to keep it consistent, it’s not guaranteed.

It depends on the position, for any transportation related positions you would be required to use your own vehicle.

Yes! Please call 607-535-7108 to request masks, gloves and refillable hand sanitizer bottles & refills and we will prepare it for you, marked with your name to pick up from the deputies at the front desk in the Human Services Building located at 323 Owego St., Montour Falls.

Yes! There is mileage reimbursement available. OFA will provide a mileage sheet with instructions for completion and submission available.

• The intent of this local law shall be to promote Schuyler County in order to increase convention, trade show and tourist business in the County. This tax is paid by the traveler.

• This law was put into effect in 1988 and last amended in 2008

• Per Schuyler County Occupancy Tax Law, you are required to submit a form to this office, even if you have been closed during the quarter

• No, per Schuyler County Occupancy Tax Law, you are required to submit a form to this office each quarter.

• Yes, if you collect a fee for use of your house/room, you are subject to the room tax.

• No, certain localities (counties, cities, towns, etc.) charge an additional tax on hotel occupancy commonly known as bed tax.

• You are required to register with the county to obtain a Certificate of Authority no matter what entity you use. However, AirBnB does collect and remit the tax on your behalf.

• If you fail to report your revenue, interest and penalties will be imposed monthly on the amount of tax owed. If the operator fails to comply with this local law and does not collect occupancy tax from the customer then the operator is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishment for which shall be a fine of not more than $1,000.

Chamber of Commerce for its promotion of tourism and of the publication of the advantages of Schuyler County and the region (Section 3 #12) and to economic development within Schuyler County.

• You must still charge Room Tax, the bungalow exemption contained in the State Tax is not applicable to the separate county tax.

• New York State collects sales tax; you will need to call (518)485-2889 for questions on specificity.

• You will need to contact New York State for assistance.

• Your “Certificate of Authority” should be displayed prominently in your rental at all times.

• All Operators renting to a patron for less than 30 days are required to collect occupancy tax.
• Please contact the Treasurer’s office as soon as possible so that we may inform the prospective operator of the local law and they may avoid any further fines or penalties.

• Except in accordance with proper judicial order, or as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful for the Treasurer or any officer or employee of the Department of the Treasurer to divulge or make known in any matter the rents or other information relating to the business of a taxpayer contained in any return required under this local law.

• If you collect a fee for use of your house/room, you are subject to the room tax.

• Every operator shall keep records of every occupancy and of all rent paid, charged or due.  Records shall be available for inspection and examination at any time upon demand by the Treasurer or his duly authorized agent or employee and shall be preserved for a period of three (3) years, except that the Treasurer may consent to their destruction within that period or may require that they be kept longer.

• Unfortunately, we are not able to help with this situation. You will need to contact an accountant.

• Since the tax is based upon “rent” and rent is based upon “occupancy”, the additional fee charged for an occupant’s pet is a rental charge and therefore taxable.
• As for damages, such charges fall clearly outside of the definition of what can be construed as “rent” and therefore should not be considered as taxable pursuant to our local room tax law.

• AirBnB does submit and pay on your behalf but they are the only business that we have a contract with to do so.
• VRBO or any other rental site does not submit for you therefore you are still required to submit a room tax to our office each quarter.

• Late submissions are subject to late fees, please contact our office as soon as possible to get those calculated for you.

To obtain a Birth Certificate, you must contact the town in which you were born.  If you were born at Schuyler Hospital, contact Don Spaccio, Town of Montour & Village of Montour Falls Registrar at 607-535-9595.  

To obtain shot/vaccine records, contact your physician.

Marriage licenses may be obtained through the Town Clerks. If you need a copy of your original marriage license, this can be obtained from the Town Clerk you originally filed with or from the NYS Department of Vital Records.

A disposition is available at the County Clerk’s Office for a $5.00 fee. A whole criminal history search would be conducted through the Sheriff's Records Department.

Knowledge of specific type of records the person is looking for would need to be known.  Marriage and death certificates are found with the town clerks; birth certificates are found with the county registrar if the person was originally born in Schuyler, or possibly Vital Statistics with the State.  Deeds created after Schuyler County was formed are found at the County Clerk’s Office.  Previous to that, they would be found with the County that previously occupied that part of the county.

Tax Bills and Payment information can be obtained from the County Treasurer's Office.

Divorce Records finalized in Schuyler County can be found in the County Clerk’s Office and are available only to the original parties involved or their attorneys.

Get notified of events or special notifications!  Create a sign on account within the site found in the upper right hand corner.  This requires an initial two step authentication.  Once your account is active, you can accept notifications which relate to your area of need by visiting http://schuylercounty.us/list.aspx

Comprehensive Plan.

Discover what you LOVE in New York! Explore 11 Vacation Regions filled with historic sites, abundant waters, natural wonders and more.

Visit the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation to learn about activities, protections & regulation.