The Town of Preble is committed to making its website accessible to all residents and visitors, including people with disabilities.

We are working to ensure that our website content is accessible and usable for everyone, and we strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.

Our goal is to provide online information, documents, and services in a manner that is accessible to the widest possible audience. We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we are continually reviewing and improving our website to enhance usability and accessibility.

If you experience difficulty accessing any part of this website, need assistance with any online material, or would like to request information in an alternative format, please contact us:

Town of Preble
1968 Preble Rd.
Preble, NY 13141
Phone: (607) 749-3199
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When contacting us, please include:

* the webpage or document you were trying to access
* a description of the problem you encountered
* your contact information so we can respond

We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information you need in an accessible format and to address accessibility issues in a timely manner.

The Town of Preble has launched a new Community Engagement Committee!  We are proud to announce the founding members of the Committee:

• Nancy Rittenhouse
• Megan Morgan
• Betty Anne Pitman
• Dave Morse
• Donna Wheelock
• Dave Smith
• Dave Morse
• Diane Bickerton

This committee will work with the Town Board to share ideas and recommendations on parks, recreation, seasonal events, volunteer coordination, youth and family activities, and ways to strengthen connections across Preble. The goal is to support simple, meaningful opportunities that enhance quality of life for residents of all ages.

Preble Town Court is in session on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6 PM.

This is a part time court.  Emails are answered on a weekly basis.  This typically occurs on Tuesday, so you may need to wait 7 days for a response.

Please do NOT email or call the Town of Preble Supervisor or the Town of Preble Clerk for assistance with court matters.  They are NOT able to assist you with your court case (they are a separate branch of government and do not have any jurisdiction over your case).

To Defendants Charged with Traffic Infractions:

You are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.  You have the right to retain an attorney at any stage in these proceedings.Your options in this case are below

You May Plead Not Guilty:  By pleading not guilty you may exercise your right to a public trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the Cortland County District Attorney, must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you have committed the offense alleged.  At the trial you will have the right to hear, see, and challenge the evidence submitted to prove your guilt, including confronting by cross examination any witness who testifies against you, including any police officers.  You have the right to have witnesses testify on your behalf, to present evidence of your own, and you have the option to testify on your own behalf (you will never be required or forced to testify )  The judge will determine your innocence or guilt after hearing all of the testimony and determining whether the People have proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

or

You may Plead Not Guilty and communicate with the District Attorney of Cortland County and negotiate an agreement to plead guilty to an alternate offense (a plea bargain).  Any proposed agreement is subject to approval by the court.  Upon a guilty plea to the negotiated charge (plea agreement) you will be sentenced by the judge.  The contact information for the District Attorney is:

Cortland County District Attorney

37 Church Street, Cortland NY 13045

607-753-5008

or

You May Plead Guilty as Charged: By pleading guilty you waive yor right to a trial at which the People must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.  After pleading guilty, you will be sentenced by the judge.  You may withdraw your plea of guilty at any point prior to sentencing and exercise your right to a trial or attempt to negotiate a plea to a lesser charge.

Richard Edsall

Acting Justice, Town of Preble

If you have any questions, please feel free to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

U.S. Senators

Charles Schumer
schumer.senate.gov/

Kirsten Gillibrand
gillibrand.senate.gov/

U.S. House Representative

John Mannion
molinaro.house.gov/

State Senator

Lea Webb
nysenate.gov/senators/lea-webb

State Assembly

Jeff Gallahan
nyassembly.gov/mem/Jeff-Gallahan

Cortland County Board of Elections

Thank you for opting for digital delivery of the "Preble Today" newsletter! By clicking 'Subscribe' you will be added to our email distribution list for the Preble town newsletter. Electing digital delivery will also remove you from the paper delivery list. 

The environment and more importantly, our town budget thanks you.

Sincerely,
~The "Preble Today" Team

The Elmwood Cemetery in Preble is a long-standing private association organized in 1868. Funding for this association has been primarily by selling cemetery plots to families who have lost a loved one and people who plan to be buried at the cemetery. From time to time they have also received monetary gifts that have helped in the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. As the cemetery grows in size, so do their expenses and the time needed to properly care for the grounds.

They are asking the community's support in their efforts to raise funds necessary to maintain the buildings and grounds now and for several years to come. Any amount you could donate will be greatly appreciated. Your contribution can be directed to:

Preble Elmwood Cemetery
c/o Carole DeLine
2346 East River Rd
Cortland, NY
Ph: (607) 753-6595

ELMWOOD CEMETERY. PREBLE, NEW YORK RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 27, 2025

• Lot purchase (Two cremations can be in one grave) $800.00 per grave lot
• Interment: Infants up t o 3 feet $200.00
• Interment: Adults 3 feet and above $750.00
• Weekends/Holidays: $900.00
• Interment: Cremation Remains $400.00 Weekends/Holidays: $500.00
• Interment: Cremation Remains, Companion Urn $550.00

Foundations

• Foundations are oversized two inches larger than base of stone/monument $0.75 per square inch $200 minimum charge
  Flush Mount Monument Installed $175.00
• Veterans Plaque Installed (includes pre-case form) $50.00

*Includes $35.00 PM allocation and $5.00 V&A fee (non-NYS).
**An additional charge may be made for snow removal or penetration of frost based on the additional costs to the cemetery pursuant to Section 1509 (d) of the not-for-profit corporation law.
Al foundations shall be installed by the Association and are to be paid by Owner. Association. Rates are established by the Al must be placed on concrete foundations, having dimensions two inches greater in length and breadth, than the base of the marker, and extended to a maximum depth of three feet. No monument shall be more than four feet above the ground. A monument for a single grave shall be no wider than 42 inches and for a double grave no wider than 54 inches.

Michael Compton, Cemetery Caretaker, may be reached at (315) 852-2040

Cemetery Rules

• ELMWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION PREBLE, NEW YORK RULES AND REGULATIONS as of 4/2/2025

  The Elmwood Cemetery is a sacred place for family and friends. These regulations are intended to establish an environment by which the sacredness and beauty of this Cemetery can be maintained.

  SECTION 1 Elmwood Cemetery Association, Preble, New York, and all property belonging thereto, shall be under the care and control of the Board of Trustees who shall regulate the sales and prices of lots therein, and make such Rules and Regulations for the Cemetery as they deem proper, consistent with the state law which this Corporation is formed.

  SECTION 2 

  
  A~ Hours of the Cemetery are from sunrise to sunset. There shall be no trespassing during hours of darkness.

  B ~ No burial shall be made in the Cemetery or placement of remains in the vault without permission of the Cemetery Caretaker.

  C ~ Remains or cremains of pets are not allowed.

  D~ No permission for body storage or burial shall be granted unless all lot sales and interment fees are paid in full.

  E ~ Graves will not be opened during severe weather or other similar circumstances, in accordance with Section 1510-b of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (NFPCL). Bodies received during this time will be placed in the vault until conditions allow for burial.

  No person shall put up a fence, bench or other object at a grave; or erect any structure at the Cemetery; except with permission, and under the direction, of the Trustees at a meeting as recorded in the minutes.

  All monuments, tablets or markers shall be erected, only after due permission and under the direction of the Association, and shall meet the following requirements.

  A ~ All must be erected at the head of the grave or graves. There may only be one upright monument per grave. There is a limit of two monuments, tablets or markers on any grave, whether flush with the ground, up to two inches above grade or upright. However, any flat government military marker may be placed at the foot of the grave, flush with the ground.

  SECTION 3 SECTION 4 SECTION 5 SECTION 6 SECTION 7 SECTION 8 SECTION
  
  9 B ~ All must be placed on concrete foundations, having dimensions two inches greater in length and breadth, than the base of the marker, and extended to a depth of three feet. No monument shall be more than four feet above the ground. A monument for a single grave shall be no wider than 42” and double no wider than 54”.

  C ~ All foundations shall be installed by the Association to be paid by Owner. Rates are established by the Association.

  D ~ Grave owners are responsible for the maintenance of their monuments. The Association is not responsible for the reconstruction of any marble, granite, bronze, or concrete work on any section or plot nor is the Association responsible or repair or replacement of any monument placed or erected upon lots caused by the elements, an act or God, thieves or vandals.

  E ~ The following burials are allowed in 1 (one) full grave, subject to Caretaker approval, (due to concerns on depth or vault integrity): 1 (one) adult casket & 1 (one) cremains; 1 (one) or 2 (two) cremains (alone); 1 (one) infant casket & 1 (one) or 2 (two) cremains; 2 (two) infant caskets; 1 (one) adult casket and 1 (one) infant casket or cremains.

  No person shall willfully or maliciously destroy, mutilate, write upon, soil, deface, or injure any monument, gravestone, stake, object or any other structure placed in the Cemetery, except under the direction of the Association or their agent. Violators of this rule shall be liable for any damages.

  No person shall leave or cause to be left, any stone, dirt, or other refuse matter within the Cemetery except in such place the Association or their agent may designate.

  No planting of trees, shrubs, bushes or evergreens shall be allowed anywhere in the Cemetery, except with the permission of the Association.

  A ~ The Association reserves the right to remove any effigy, decoration, memento, embellishment, bench, bush, flower, plant or inscription which has not been installed in accord with these Rules and Regulations.

  B ~ The Association further reserves the right to remove any decoration, memento, embellishment, bench, bush, flower, plant or inscription which, in the opinion of the majority of the Association, is unsightly, offensive or dangerous.

  C ~No artificial plants or flowers are allowed to be placed in the Cemetery from April 1 to October 31.

  A ~ Only metal, plastic and stoneware containers for cut plants or flowers shall be used in the Cemetery. These may only be set in or on the ground and be withinthe confines of the plot. No glass container may be used for any purpose due to the danger of injury from broken glass.

  B ~ All flowerpots, containers, and urns are to be removed from the Cemetery by November 1.

  SECTION 10 No person shall drive any vehicle into the Cemetery property except on a road maintained by the Cemetery for this purpose. Cemetery roads may not be maintained from November 1 to April 1, dependent on weather conditions, excepting a road providing ingress and egress directly between the public roads and the Cemetery. No unlicensed recreational vehicle is permitted at any time.

  SECTION 11 No person shall discharge any firearm in the Cemetery except during Military Services.

  SECTION 12 No person shall catch, wound or kill any animal or bird, nor disturb any bird’s nest or eggs there in the Cemetery.

  SECTION 13 There will be no fires, open flames or fireworks on Cemetery property, nor shall any fire or flame be launched from the Cemetery property. Chinese Lanterns are banned, whether stationary or floating.

  SECTION 14 No alcoholic beverages shall be possessed, consumed or placed in the Cemetery.

  SECTION 15 A ~Concrete vaults or grave liners will be required for full body interments in all graves in accordance with the provisions of the Elmwood Cemetery Association’s

  Board Directive 201.6.

  B ~ Natural Organic Reduction (NOR): The Association does not permit the scattering, interment, entombment, or inurnment, of naturally organically reduced human remains as defined in New York State law, within the grounds of the Cemetery at this time.

  SECTION 16 All Lot Owners are required to notify the Cemetery of any change of address. All notices required to be sent by the Cemetery shall be sent to the last recorded address of the Lot Owner(s) and such notices shall be deemed adequate.

  SECTION 17 Violations of the above Rules and Regulations shall be prosecuted as provided by law.

  SECTION 18 These Rules and Regulations are subject to change from time to time as determined by the Association.

  ---

Photos below in Elmwood Images are:   Remembering a Naval Veteran 

Read more …

Legal Notice

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and,

WHEREAS, the month of April 2026 has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Preble hereby declares and proclaims April as Fair Housing Month in the Town.

E. Nathan Shirley, Town Supervisor

The Town Supervisor is the designated Fair Housing Officer of the Town of Preble. If any individual or family feels that they have been discriminated against in obtaining suitable housing or housing accommodations of their choice, they can call 607-749-3199 Wednesday and Thursday from 5PM to 9PM.

Equal Housing Opportunity

_______________________________________________________________________

UPDATED Supervisor Office Hours beginning May 21, 2026:
Every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm

Residents are welcome to stop in during office hours to chat with Nate and Michelle about town related questions or ideas. These hours are for informal discussions and are not a public meeting.

______________________________________________________________________

Notice to Bidders

NOTICE IS HEARBY GIVEN that sealed proposals are sought and requested to Supply and Install Complete Plow Hitches, Hydraulics and Dump Box for installation on a 2025 Volvo 10-Wheel Chassis that the Town Owns. Sealed proposals shall be received by the Town Clerk, Jennifer George, at the Preble Town Hall, 1968 Preble Road, Preble, New York, at 7:00 pm. On June 8^th 2026, and will be considered publicly at such time and place. Specifications for said equipment can be examined and obtained at the Preble Town Hall, Preble, New York, on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. or can be obtained by written request c/o Jennifer George, Preble Town Hall, PO Box 234, Preble, New York 13141. Specifications can also be examined and obtained at the Preble Highway Garage located at 6684 NY-281, Preble, New York 13141, by contacting Jeffrey Griswold, Highway Superintendent, at (607) 749-2710.

Proposals must be made upon and in accordance with the specifications provided by the Town of Preble. All proposals not in conformance with specifications will not receive consideration. The Town of Preble reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Dated: May 14, 2026                                                      _________________________

JENNIFER GEORGE
Preble Town Clerk

 The Town of Preble does not provide trash removal services for their residents.  Trash removal is must be contracted with private trash service.  

Recycling

• Cortland County Recycling
• Zero Sort Recycling 
• Electronic Recycling

Backyard Burning - Much More Hazardous Than You Think

A generation ago, trash consisted largely of paper, wood, natural fiber cloth, and food or yard waste. Today trash often contains plastics, synthetic cloth, and chemicals. Trash burned today creates harmful pollution unheard of years ago.

One of the toxic compounds produced during backyard barrel burning is called dioxin. Studies have linked dioxin to developmental delays in children, harm to the immune system, and increased risks of cancer.

Backyard burning is a major uncontrolled source of dioxin in the United States: per pound of household trash burned, barrels emit hundreds of times more dioxin than a garbage incinerator. In a burn barrel, household waste is burned without air pollution controls at relatively low combustion temperatures, producing harmful smoke and particulates, which can cause breathing difficulties when inhaled and trigger asthma attacks.

Daily dioxin emissions from household burn barrels used by 2 to 40 families equal the air pollution from a garbage incinerator that serves thousands of families.

Dairy cows that graze on pastures where burn barrel pollution has fallen may produce milk with higher concentrations of these contaminants. 

For more information visit: www.epa.gov/ncea/dioxin.htm

Information provided by:
Environmental Protection Bureau,
NYS Attorney General Office
https://ag.ny.gov/