Town of Alfred, NY FAQs ~ Frequently Asked Questions

Click these quick-links to find answers to commonly asked questions:

• How do I contact animal control about a nuisance animal?

• How do I obtain a license for my dog?

• I want to build on my property, what are the zoning laws?

• Who do I contact with questions about garbage collection?

• Where do I get a marriage license or learn more about getting married
  in New York State?

• How do I obtain a certified copy of a marriage license?

• Where do I get a copy of my birth certificate?

• Can you help me with my genealogy search?

• Who maintains certain roads in the Town, and who do I contact
  when a snow plow knocks over my mailbox?

• Where do I get a New York State Star Exemption Application?

• Where do I learn more about hunting and fishing seasons, licenses,
  and regulations?

• How do I obtain a Disabled Parking Permit for my car?

• When are the Town of Alfred board meetings held?

Animal Control or Help With Nuisance Animals

 
Please call Animal Control Officer, Richard Stuart at 607-276-6154 for animal control or nuisance animal issues within the Town of Alfred.

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Dog Licenses

You may obtain a dog license  from the Town Clerk on Shaw Road in the Town of Alfred.

• Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days, must be licensed.

• Please check with the Town Clerk for exceptions.

Documents Required

• If the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian.

• All dogs three months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian.

• If you are interested in a purebred license, contact the Town Clerk.

• A check payable to the Town of Alfred for the appropriate fee.

• Renewal

1. Paperwork sent to you by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
2. Proof of up to date rabies vaccination.
3. If dog has been spayed or neutered in last year that documentation is also required.

Cost

New or renewal, price is the same.

Spayed or neutered: $5.00
Not spayed or neutered: $13.00

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Zoning and Building Permits & Applications

All construction over 64 square feet requires a Zoning and Building Permit.

Applications are available on line or at the Town Clerk’s office. Cost of a Zoning Permit is $10.00 and Building Permit is based on cost of construction.

Before a building permit can be issued, you must provide proof of septic system approval by the Allegany County Health Department.

Any questions about zoning laws or NYS Building Codes should be addressed to Steve Kilmer, Codes Enforcement Officer.

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Refuse, Trash, or Garbage Collection

Refuse is collected by various independent waste haulers. It is the responsibility of each individual resident to arrange for timely waste removal.

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Obtaining a Marriage Licenses

 
You may acquire any necessary forms from the Town Clerk at our Offices on Shaw Road in Alfred.

Where to obtain:

• A couple intending to marry in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state.

• The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and groom in the presence of the clerk.

• A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the bride or groom.

• Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the bride and groom cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

When to obtain:

• License must be obtained at least 24 hours before the wedding

• The license is valid for 60 days beginning the day after issuance.

Documents required:

• A person is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting to the issuing clerk one of the following age-related documents:

1. Birth Certificate

2. Baptismal record

3. Naturalization record

And

One of the following identity-related documents:

1. Driver’s license

2. Passport

3. Employment picture ID

4. Immigration record

• If previously married, a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage is required

• If spouse is deceased, a copy of the death certificate is required.

Cost:

• $40.00 – cash or check

• Fee includes issuance of the Certificate of Marriage which is automatically sent to the applicants within 15 days after returned by the officiant.

• This will be your notification that a record of marriage is on file.

Who can perform the ceremony:

• To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 on the New York State Domestic Relation Law. See Town Clerk for list.

Where can marriage take place:

• A New York State marriage license may be used anywhere within New York State. It is not valid outside the State.

For a complete, up-to-date listing of questions and answers about how to get married anywhere in New York State, please visit New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section.

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Copies of Marriage Records

The Town of Alfred maintains birth, death, and marriage records from 1883 to the present.

Fees: Search and Certified copy is $10.00 each for a Marriage, Birth or Death records.

Please note:    You must fill out an appropriate form.  Forms can be downloaded at the NYS Department of Health Records section site www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records   Other records are available under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).  You must fill out an Application for Public Access to Records.

You may obtain a certified copy of a marriage license issued in the Town of Alfred from the Town Clerk at our Offices on Shaw Road. Expect a ten dollar fee. For a thirty dollar fee, you may also obtain a copy from the New York State Department of Health by writing to:

Certification Unit
Vital Records Section
New York State Dept. of Health
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

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Copies of Records for Births

The Town of Alfred maintains birth, death, and marriage records from 1883 to the present.

Fees: Search and Certified copy is $10.00 each for a Marriage, Birth or Death records.  Please contact the Village of Alfred Clerk  for births occurring within the Town.

Please note:    You must fill out an appropriate form.  Forms can be downloaded at the NYS Department of Health Records section site www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records   Other records are available under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).  You must fill out an Application for Public Access to Records.

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Helpful Genealogy Resources

The Alfred NY Community Website has helpful links to Genealogy Resources for the Town of Alfred and Allegany County

Additional records may be available - please check with the town clerk for more info.
 

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Town of Alfred Road Maintenance and Responsibility

 
The Town of Alfred encompasses Town, County, and State roads. For clarification about who maintains a particular stretch of road, visit the Town of Alfred Highway Department Page.

If your mailbox was knocked over by a plow, and you live on a Town road, please contact the Town of Alfred Highway Department.

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Star Program Exemption Application

Click here to view and print a New York State Star Exemption Application in Adobe PDF format.

If you own property and it is your primary residence, you may be eligible for a STAR school property tax exemption. To get your exemption, fill out this form and submit it along with proof of residency and ownership to the town assessor.

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Hunting and Fishing Seasons, Licenses, and Regulations

Hunting, fishing, and trapping in New York State are regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Allegany County is located in Region 9 of the DEC.

All types of sporting licenses including fishing licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s office through the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS).

Updated Sportsmen Education Class schedule is available at
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html

For complete requirements and dates visit DEC’s website http://www.dec.ny.gov/index.html

Here are some additional Resources for NY Sportsmen.

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Parking Permits for Persons with Disabilities

In order to obtain a New York State disabilities parking permit, your doctor must fill out an MV-664 ( PDF available by clicking here).

This form must be brought to the Town Clerk in the town where you reside, where you'll be required to present your Driver's License, or your non-drivers ID. Please note that a prescription from the Doctor will NOT be accepted in lieu of a completed MV-664.

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Town of Alfred, NY Board Meetings

All meetings are open to the public, and are held at the Town of Alfred Offices on Shaw Road in the Town of Alfred.    Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. Contact the Town Clerk for more information.

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