Our Town Board may choose to formally adopt definitions for these terms in the future. Until then, this information gathered from online searches may help explain the general differences between these terms.
As of December 2025, this ClerkBase webpage at clerkbase.com/boards-committees-commissions/ included this definition:
Bodies established to oversee specific departments or areas of governance within a municipality or county. These boards are typically composed of appointed or elected officials and are responsible for making important decisions and policies that affect their respective departments. For example, a local government may have boards dedicated to finance, planning and zoning, education, health, or public works.
A December 2025, an on-line search of Government Board Definition included this Board Definition information:
A government board is a body, often appointed or elected, that provides oversight, policy direction, and decision-making for specific public functions (like health, planning, or finance) within a government (local, state, federal) or for a specific public entity, ensuring accountability and effective implementation of laws and services, differing from private boards by higher regulatory scrutiny and public transparency.
The New York State law regarding:
As of December 2025, this ClerkBase webpage at clerkbase.com/boards-committees-commissions/ included this definition:
Local government commissions, sometimes known as regulatory commissions or oversight boards, are specialized entities responsible for regulating specific areas of local governance. These commissions are typically created by law or ordinance and operate independently from the governing board. Commissions consist of appointed members who possess expertise or experience in the field they oversee.
A December 2025, an on-line search of Government Commission Definition included this Commission Definition information:
A commission in government is a group appointed to handle specific duties, either as a governing body (like a city commission with legislative/executive power) or as an advisory/investigative panel (like a federal commission studying policy or events), providing expert advice or oversight, distinct from regular legislative committees by often being external or focused on specific tasks like regulation, ethics, or public service improvement.
In the Town of Woodstock, as of December 2025, three Commissions, the Environmental Commission, the Cable Commission, and the Commission for Civic Design, were created by Town Law as documented in Chapter 43 Commissions at ecode360.com/8008808.
As of December 2025, this ClerkBase webpage at clerkbase.com/boards-committees-commissions/ included this definition:
Local government committees serve as advisory bodies that assist in the decision-making process. They are usually composed of experts, community representatives, or individuals with specific knowledge and experience related to the committee’s focus area. Unlike boards, committees do not have the authority to make final decisions or enforce regulations. Instead, they provide recommendations, conduct research, and offer expertise to aid local government boards and commissions.
Committees are often established to address specific issues or concerns within the community. Examples of local government committees include budget advisory committees, environmental committees, human rights committees, or committees focusing on economic development. These committees help gather diverse perspectives and ensure that decisions are well-informed, considering various viewpoints.
A December 2025, an on-line search of Local Government Committee Definition included this Commission Definition information:
A local government committee is a smaller group within a city, county, or town government, composed of elected officials, appointed members, or experts, formed to study specific issues (like budgets, housing, or environment), conduct research, hold hearings, and provide in-depth, advisory recommendations to the main governing body (like the City Council) before final decisions are made, ensuring focused discussion and informed governance.
In essence, they serve as the engine for detailed policy work, making local governance more effective and transparent by breaking down big tasks into manageable, expert-driven chunks.
Key Characteristics & Functions:
A December 2025, an on-line search of Government Task Force Definition included this Task Force Definition information:
A government task force is a temporary group of experts or officials assembled to study a specific problem, develop recommendations, or handle a defined objective, often involving collaboration across agencies, then disbands once its mission is complete. These groups are ad hoc, focused on a singular task like combating narcotics or developing AI policy, and might be known as commissions, councils, or working groups, but serve a focused, short-term goal.