Dissolution

On this page I have collected information that may be useful in studying the pros, cons, options, and consequences of village dissolution. I would be grateful if you would contact me if you find errors in this work or have suggestions for additional links.

Information specific to the Village of Potsdam

Here is gathered information specific to the dissolution study being undertaken by the Village of Potsdam.  Below you will find background information and links to dissolution studies done by other communities.

Background information

Recently NYS law has changed regarding dissolution/consolidation.  A summary of the new law is available.  The full text of the law, as submitted by the Attorney General's office, is here.  An analysis of the law by Wade Beltramo, legal council for the NY Conference of Mayors is available. The Association of Towns submitted to the NYS Assembly a memorandum of opposition to the law.

The NYS Attorney General, Mr. Andrew Cuomo, has initiated the changes in law.  His office's website has information about how he sees the problem and solution, and includes a guide for implementing the law.

Mr. Beltramo has written an earlier article about some of the issues that arise during dissolution planning. 

A dated but still useful discussion of consolidation for towns and villages is: local government technical series.

During my research I tabulated the cost of undertaking a dissolution /consolidation study. Many of these studies were funded in part by NYS Local Government Efficiency Grants. Here is a summary from the DOS on villages that have active NYS grants prior to January 6, 2010.

A thought provoking report on "Outdated Municipal Structures" puts arguments about dissolution in a bigger picture.  One personal observation; the map of existing structures and the map of potential new structures is almost identical for the North Country; in some ways we are the "land that time forgot"!

A recent DOS report on their Local Government Efficiency Program makes a seriously misleading claim that a Batavia City/Town consolidation will have "a cost savings of almost $1 million" when in fact an accurate reading of the consolidation study shows a net increase in government spending of $741,000/yr.

The NYS AIM incentive funding often appears to be contrary to the goal of improving government efficiency.

Mayor John Curtin of Marcellus, NY, has written a series of thoughtful newspaper columns about issues related to village dissolution.  The articles were published in the Eagle Observer.

NYCOM has proposed amendments to to General Municipal Law 17A which has to do with village the dissolution process.  The current version of the law went into effect in March 2010, but both town and village officials feel it has a variety of flaws that need fixing.

Dissolution studies

(Note: I have added my summary of some of the studies.  The summaries are very limited and I encourage you to read the entire report. Syntax note: most of these studies use the acronym TOV, which means "town outside village".)

A dissolution study/plan was prepared for the village of Johnson City.  In November of this year the referendum for dissolution failed (i.e., dissolution will not occur) by a 42 vote margin, 2257 against, 2215 for. (Yurgartis summary.)

The village of Seneca Falls has been studying dissolution.  The final report is available. Also available is a legal opinion on the study. The recent vote was in the affirmative by a margin of 3.7%.  (Yurgartis summary.)

Likewise the village of Macedon did a dissolution study.  (Yurgartis summary.)

The village of Lake George recently completed a dissolution study.  It is worth reading the Appendices for a more complete picture of the situation.  (Yurgartis summary.)

The village of Albion recently completed a study of dissolving into the town of Albion.  (Yurgartis summary)

The village of Ellenville did a preliminary study of dissolution. Reading the report is one of those occasions where you have to laugh to keep from crying; the dissolution committee had a rocky time.

The village of Pike did a dissolution study, and recently the small village voted to enact the plan. A total of 36 votes were cast, 31 in favor of dissolution, 5 opposed.

The village of Limestone recently voted to dissolve. A total of 97 votes were cast, with 71 in favor of dissolution.

The Local Government Efficiency Commission contracted a study of consolidation of three cities/towns in upstate NY.  The study illustrates the complexity of existing shared service relationships and the complexity of consolidating cities and towns. (Yurgartis summary)

The City and Town of Batavia are studying dissolving the town into the city. (Yurgartis summary)

Almost a year to the day after Cobleskill started a dissolution study the Study Committee dissolved themselves.  This news report says the committee  "ran into a number of hurdles--not lease of which was that they quickly realized there were no real savings."  In addition, reading between the lines suggests that many of the committee members lost interest in the work.

new Whitestown, NY has commissioned studies on consolidation of fire/EMS services and consolidation of police services.  There are presently 5 police forces in the town and it is served by 6 fire departments!  The studies are carefully done and illustrate the historical evolution of complexity in government services, and the many factors that must be considered when considering structural changes.  Thank you to Oneida County assistant district attorney Steve Cox for bringing these studies to my attention.

As time permits I will be adding more links to this page.