An OPINION by Joe Cafarella, Urbana NY
After attending the January 20 Town of Urbana meeting, I wanted to share some concerns & possible solutions. Not to attack anyone, but to improve transparency & public trust going forward.
Some key issues many residents experienced:
• Meeting Access: Multiple people stated the Zoom livestream often malfunctions & replays are difficult or impossible to view afterward. Reliable access is essential for residents who cannot attend in person.
• Possible Solution: Many towns stream meetings on YouTube Live, which automatically records & archives meetings for public viewing at no cost. This would greatly improve accessibility & transparency.
• Agenda Clarity: A potential 20% tax levy increase was not listed on the agenda & only came up during “New Business” after public input. For issues with major financial impact, advance notice allows residents to prepare & participate meaningfully.
• Minutes & Records: The board agreed that meeting minutes will no longer reflect full meetings. While abbreviated minutes may be legal, when combined with unreliable livestreams & no accessible replays, this reduces public visibility into discussions that directly affect residents.
• Public Notifications: Many residents stated they are signed up for town email & text alerts but are not receiving notifications. If these systems exist, they need to function reliably so people are informed without having to check the Town website daily.
• Public Comment Fairness: Time limits appeared to be enforced inconsistently & factual inaccuracies were not always corrected. Equal enforcement & clarification help keep meetings productive and respectful.
• Meeting Tone: Given the financial pressures many residents are facing, emotions were understandably high given rising taxes, assessments, utilities & cost of living. In those moments, acknowledgment & de-escalation from leadership, rather than ‘threats of removal’ by law enforcement are essential to maintaining trust & a productive public forum.
• Shared Pressure: Rising NYSEG bills, assessments & taxes affect residents & town officials alike. Productive dialogue depends on mutual respect, clear communication & consistent process.
None of this is about “Us vs Them.” It’s about improving access, notice, consistency & trust. Especially when decisions with major financial impact are being discussed.
I hope the town considers practical improvements so future meetings are more transparent & constructive for everyone.
