Cold Spring adopts New York State records retention schedule to qualify for future grants

The Village Board adopted the New York State retention and disposition schedule for local government records issued by the New York State Archives. The clerk explained the schedule sets legal minimum retention periods for records, clarifies which records can be disposed of after minimum retention, and will allow the village to apply for project grants for records storage and preservation.

Board members asked whether adopting the schedule carries an immediate cost; the clerk and staff said there is no direct cost to adoption and that grants are project-specific (for items such as fireproof storage boxes or mold remediation). The board adopted the resolution by roll call; the clerk recorded the vote as 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 1 absent.

Officials said adoption will allow the village to optimize off-site storage and better protect vital records while complying with statutory retention obligations. The clerk will remain the records management officer and will use support from the State Archives' staff when applying for grants and preparing retention actions.