Services

Court

The Town Court is your local municipal court with jurisdiction over Traffic, Criminal, Civil, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant, and Family Court (when Family Court is not in session) matters. The Town Court also handles Local Zoning, Land-Use and State Health and Fire Code violations as well as Dog Ordinance, Environmental Conservation, Navigation Law, Tax and Transportation Law violations that occur within the Town of Otsego. For more information, see our Town Court page.

Land Use

The Town of Otsego has a local Land Use Law that governs development within the Town (not including the Village of Cooperstown). The law was passed and is updated by the Town Board. Implementation of the law is handled via our appointed Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO), the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. For more information, please reach out to the ZEO who will be happy to assist you.

Highway Department

The Town Highway Department maintains many of the local roads and bridges, led by an elected Highway Superintendent, currently Bill Hribar Sr. For more information, see our Highway Department page.

Fire Protection

Residences within the Town of Otsego are part of the Schuyler Lake Fire District, the Fly Creek Fire District, or the Otsego Fire Protection District. The Schuyler Lake Fire District and Fly Creek Fire District are both governed by locally elected Boards of Fire Commissioners, and both provide fire protection through their local volunteer Fire Departments. The Otsego Fire Protection District is managed by the Town Board, and provides fire protections through a contractual agreement with the Village of Cooperstown Fire Department.

Water/Sewer

The Town of Otsego does not directly manage any sewer or water projects. The majority of residences within or near the Village of Cooperstown are part of water and sewer systems. All other residences in the Town have private wells and septic systems.

Police

The Town of Otsego does not directly manage a police department. Coverage is provided via the Village of Cooperstown Police Department, the County Sheriff' Department, and the State Police.

Garbage

The Town of Otsego does not directly manage waste removal or drop-off. Many hire private waste haulers. Others take advantage of the County run transfer stations, with the Norther Transfer Station being located between Fly Creek and Cooperstown.