Fort Edward, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 47 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 47-12

A. Any aggrieved person may file a complaint in person or by mail to: (1) The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410-2000; (2) Any regional or field office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or (3) The Town Fair Housing Officer, who shall immediately file a copy thereof with the regional or field office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with a request for a determination as to whether such complaint will be referred to said Officer for administrative disposition. B. A complaint may be filed with the assistance of an authorized representative of an aggrieved person, including any organization acting on behalf of an aggrieved person. C. No complaint shall be filed more than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated. D. A complaint shall be made on the form prescribed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and shall contain all of the information required therein and thereby. E. A complaint may be reasonably and fairly amended at any time as permitted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or, upon referral, by the Town Fair Housing Officer. F. The respondent may file an answer to any complaint not later than 10 days after receipt of notice from either the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Fair Housing Officer of the filing of such complaint. G. Any complaint and any answer shall be affirmed by the person filing the same. H. Upon referral by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development of a complaint duly filed therewith to the Fair Housing Officer, the Fair Housing Office shall service notice, by certified mail or personal service, upon both the complainant and the respondent containing the following: (1) Acknowledge the referral of the complaint, stating the date that the complaint was accepted for filing and that the respondent must file an answer within 10 days. (2) Include a copy of the complaint. (3) Advise the aggrieved person and the respondent of the time limits applicable to complaint processing and disposition, and of the procedural rights and obligations of the aggrieved person, under this article. (4) Advise the aggrieved person and the respondent that the aggrieved person has the right to commence a civil action under § 813 of the Fair Housing Act in an appropriate United States District Court not later than two years after the occurrence or termination of the alleged discriminatory housing practice and states that the computation of said two-year period excludes any time during which this administrative proceeding is pending and includes the time period during which an action arising from a breach of conciliation agreement under § 814(b)(2) of the Fair Housing Act is pending. (5) Advise the aggrieved person and the respondent that retaliation against any person because he or she made a complaint or testified, assisted or participated in an investigation or conciliation under this article is a discriminatory housing practice that is prohibited under this article and § 818 of the Fair Housing Act. I. The Town Supervisor or his/her designated agent is hereby designated to be the administrative enforcement officer of this article, and the following powers and duties are hereby delegated to him/her: (1) To investigate the allegations of any complaint, including the power to issue subpoenas in connection with such investigation, and complete the investigation in not more than 100 days after receipt of the complaint, unless it is impracticable to do so, in which event, he/she shall notify the complainant and the respondent in writing of the reasons therefor. (2) Following completion of the investigation, to issue a final investigative report, which may be amended at any time if additional evidence is discovered, containing at least the following: (a) The names and dates of contact with witnesses. (b) A summary of each witness' statement. (c) A summary and the dates of correspondence and other contacts with the aggrieved person and the respondent. (d) A summary description of other pertinent records. (3) To conciliate the matters set forth in any complaint and approve any conciliation agreement arising out of such conciliation efforts. (4) To make a final administrative disposition of a complaint, after providing the complainant and the respondent with a copy of the final investigative report and thereafter affording the complainant and the respondent of the right to be heard and present evidence in connection with the complaint and/or said final investigative report, within one year of the date of receipt of a compliant, unless it is impracticable to do so, in which event, he/she shall notify the complainant and the respondent in writing of the reasons therefor. J. In making a final administrative disposition, or in approving any conciliation agreement, the Fair Housing Office shall have the power and authority to grant to the prevailing party actual damages, injunctive or other equitable relief and/or to assess a civil penalty not in excess of $1,000. K. Any approved conciliation agreement shall be made public unless the complainant and respondent otherwise agree and the Fair Housing Officer determines that disclosure is not required in order to further the purpose of this article. L. A final administrative disposition shall be subject to judicial review by a proceeding commenced pursuant to Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules and venue in Washington County Supreme Court, provided that such proceeding is commenced within 30 days of the receipt of such final administrative disposition by the person commencing such proceeding.