Town Board
What is the Town Board?
Local governments exist for the purpose of providing services and
public facilities to the people who live within their jurisdiction. In
New York State, everyone who lives outside a city or an Indian
reservation lives in a town. There are more towns in New York
State than there are cities and villages combined. In New York State, towns are organized with an elective legislative body known as the Town Board. Town government is run by the Town Board which acts as the executive, administrative and legislative body of the town.
As a group, the Town Board serves as the executive head of the town government, there being no true executive in town government comparable with a mayor of a city or village, or with the governor of the state. No Town Board Member has more or less authority than any other Board member. The Town Board consists of a Supervisor and four Town Board Members.
What are Town Board Member Requirements and Terms of Office?
Town Board members, as elected officials of the Town, must be "electors" of the town at the time of election and throughout their terms of office. An elector is someone who could register as a voter in the Town, whether they actually have or not. Registration has three components - residency, age and citizenship. Residency equates to the legal term "domicile" and is defined in law. The age qualification is 18 and United States citizenship is also required. Town Board members have a term of four years. The WheatlandTown Supervisor has a term of two years. Town elections are held in odd numbered years, with new terms starting the following January 1.
What does the Town Board do?
As the legislative body of the local Wheatland Town Government, the Town Board's responsibilities include the power to appoint officers, commissions, boards and other personnel necessary to administer the town's affairs; to appropriate funds, to adopt ordinances and local laws affecting the public health, safety and welfare and to provide penalties for the enforcement of the town; and to formulate overall policy. The local laws, ordinances and certain resolutions of the Town of Wheatland are known collectively as the “Code of the Town of Wheatland,” or in short form the "Town Code".
The Town Supervisor is the administrative head of town government, presides at the meetings of the Town Board and may, from time to time, appoint one or more committees consisting of members of the Board to aid and assist the Board in the performance of its duties. The Town Board is advised in legal matters by the Town Attorney regarding the legal implications of contemplated policy, rules, regulations, legislations, administrative decisions and other actions.
Town Board Meetings
A meeting agenda is published in advance of each Town Board meeting by the Town Clerk. A majority of the Town Board Members must be present in order to constitute a meeting quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of each Board member upon every question is recorded in the official minutes of the meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Town Board is required for the adoption of any action, motion or legislation.
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Regular Board Meeting – The public has the right to attend and listen to the board deliberations. The public may participate upon the invitation of the board. Regular Town Board meetings are held at the Wheatland Municipal Building, located at 22 Main Street Scottsville, New York.
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Public Hearing – The public is invited to speak. The board is not obligated to answer questions or render a decision.
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Public Information Meeting – A presentation is given to the public in order for the public to gain information on a specific project or topic. Following the presentation, the public is given the opportunity to ask questions. The presenter may discuss follow-up actions.
See Town Board FAQs for answers to common inquiries.
Town Supervisor
Jim Kirch
Phone
(585) 889-1553 Option 9
Office Hours
By Appointment
Term Expires
December 2025
I am honored and humbled to be serving as the Town of Wheatland supervisor. Maintaining the trust and confidence of the public is something I prioritize above all else.
I have previously worked professionally as an electrical engineer and Department Director for Bausch and Lomb and Johnson and Johnson here in Rochester. During this time, I have developed a broad understanding of budgeting, personnel management and the "best organizational leadership practices".
I decided to run for Supervisor to bring more transparency and open communication to the government. I believe your government can and should exist to improve the community and quality of life for ALL residents.
Government cannot operate in a vacuum. The input of the public is necessary and will always be heard and heeded!
Town Board Member
Tina Stevens
Phone
(585) 889-1553
Office Hours
By Appointment
Term Expires
December 2027
Tina Verno Stevens is a native of Canastota, New York. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego from which she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
After graduation, Tina had a 30-year career in television production, including employment at Rochester’s channels 8, 10, and 31 as a Producer/Director/Writer. Additionally, Tina was the Production Manager at Eastman Kodak’s internal video facility. She is the recipient of three Telly Awards for her work in video production.
In 2007, she began employment with Monroe County, first in the Office of Management and Budget and subsequently in the Department of Environmental Services. For over a decade, Tina worked throughout the County as the Environmental Educator, presenting to classrooms and community groups on the importance of correct recycling and wastewater treatment. In 2019, she was promoted to her current position as Waste Diversion and Education Coordinator, with oversight for the County’s waste and recycling education initiatives and data collection.
Tina has lived on Oatka Creek Road in Wheatland for 39 years. Her son, Matthew, is a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School and Niagara University. He is a Captain in the United States Army and earned a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Tina was appointed to the Town Council to fill the vacancy left by Chuck Hazelton’s resignation in September of 2023, and won election for a four-year term two months later. She is no stranger to Town Council, as she has attended meetings regularly since 2017, helped her neighbors to form a Refuse District and played a part in lobbying Monroe County to provide ARPA funds to provide high-speed internet to the entire Town of Wheatland. Tina takes her role as a Town Council member seriously and invites residents to contact her with questions or concerns.
Town Board Member
Edward Shero
Ed has served on the Town Council since 2004. He is a graduate of Wheatland Chili and a life long resident of the Town of Wheatland, as were both his parents. Ed brings a unique perspective to the Town Council and believes that town government is the most accessible level of government to our citizens and the only level of government most people have personal contact with. He believes that the Towns primary responsibilities is to ensure the safety of our residents, provide good fiscal management of the towns budget while balancing growth in a small rural community. Most important, Ed is dedicated to being accessible and available to the towns constituents. Please fell free to contact him with any concerns.
Town Board Member
Tim Davis
TBD
Town Board Member
Carl Schoenthal
Phone
(585) 889-1553
Office Hours
By Appointment
Term Expires
December 2027
I am honored to be serving the Wheatland community. My wife and I are fortunate to be raising our four children in a small town where people know their neighbors and there is plenty of room to explore the outdoors and enjoy our small town character. My professional education, training and experience is in the engineering field. In particular, I specialize in municipal infrastructure planning, capital improvements and project management. On a personal side, I have established two small successful businesses in Wheatland in the past ten years. I have also been a member of the GWA Chamber of Commerce and served as a volunteer on Town and Village committees. I look forward to offering my skills and interests to further advance and secure the future of our Town and the satisfaction of our residents.
