I have developed a Snow and Ice Policy and presented it to my town board. Does the board need to adopt the policy or just “support” it?

As the department head, you can set policies of almost any type related to your function and duties. These could include the use of town equipment or setting the time of work. Setting hours is actually specified as a power of the highway superintendent.

In the event, the highway department employees are members of a collective bargaining unit, any policy the highway superintendent sets that impacts a term or condition of employment should take into consideration the collective bargaining agreement.

In this case, a snow and ice policy is something that a highway superintendent has the authority to set. However, the town board can set their own policy and it would take precedence unless it violates one of your legal powers or duties.  

It is recommended that town boards and highway superintendents work together to develop policies that are approved by both the board and the highway superintendent. It's not required but it usually creates fewer problems later on.

If the board “supports” the policy but takes no action, the policy would control in almost every case. But if the board doesn’t officially approve the policy they could approve a different policy later on.

Resources:
NYSLTAP – CLRP Snow and Ice Control Workshop Manual
https://cornell.app.box.com/v/clrp-ws-sic

January, 21