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Caroline Town Board adopts 2026 organizational rules, appointments and policies by consent
Summary
The Caroline Town Board unanimously approved Resolutions 1–53 adopting meeting rules based on Robert’s Rules of Order, a public-participation policy, dozens of appointments, salaries for 2026 and policies on banking, investments and videoconferencing.
The Caroline Town Board on Jan. 8 unanimously approved its package of 2026 organizational resolutions by consent, setting meeting procedures, appointing officers and adopting several administrative policies. Supervisor Mark Witmer moved the consent approval; Councilmember Michele Brown seconded the motion and the vote was recorded as: Ayes — Witmer, Murray, Kelley-Mackenzie, Brown, Bates; Nays — None.
The adopted package includes Resolution 1, which states: "Resolved, the Caroline Town Board will conduct business using the principles of Robert’s Rules of Order," and Resolution 2, which formalizes the town’s Privilege-of-the-Floor rules (three-minute limit, one appearance per meeting, prohibition on personnel matters). The package also lists appointments such as Town Historian Barbara Kone, Deputy Historian Jennifer Johnson, Town Hall Custodian Ida Besemer, Webmaster Michael Ludgate, and authorizes a Town Bookkeeper at $30.89/hr (not to exceed 1,300 hours/year). The packet notes the Town Clerk/Recording Secretary as Jessie Townsend (the packet uses the spelling "Jessica" in one appointment line; see clarifying details).
Why it matters: these organizational resolutions set the operating rules, public participation expectations, and staffing appointments that govern Town Board operations for the year. They also set pay rates and designate the official newspaper (the Ithaca Journal) and meeting schedule (first and third Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall).
