Frequently Asked Questions
The study team will add to and/ or update the FAQs, as appropriate, during the course of the study.
Q1. Who is on the study team?
Q2. Are there other recent examples where a Village and Town in New York have consolidated?
Q3. What will happen to my services?
Q4. Are there differences between how Towns and Villages can govern?
Q5. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
Q6. Who would lead a combined entity?
Q7. Who decides if the Village of Mannsville should dissolve and merge operations with the Town of Ellisburg?
Q8. Why can only Village voters vote on dissolution and not all Town residents?
Q9: When will a vote on Village dissolution take place?
Q10. How will we know if there is something new the study team can tell the community?
Q1. Who is on the study team?
A1. The study team consists of a cross-section of community leaders and residents, appointed by the Village Board of Trustees. Technical support to the committee is provided by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR). To see the list of members, click here.
Q2. Are there other recent examples where a village and town in New York have consolidated?
A2. Yes. In December 2011, voters in the Village of Altmar approved a dissolution plan that calls for the village to merge, effective June 1, 2013, with the Town of Albion. In March 2011, the Village of Edwards approved dissolving the village and merging operations with the Town of Edwards. In March 2010, voters in four villages in NY approved dissolving their villages and consolidating operations in the towns in which they are located. Effective Dec. 31, 2011 the Villages of Seneca Falls, Perrysburg, East Randolph and Randolph dissolved. In 2008, voters in the Village of Pike also approved dissolution and consolidation with the Town of Pike.
Q3. What will happen to my services?
A3. We need to complete the study to answer this question. By the end of 2012, the study team will have completed a report outlining the dissolution plan. The report will include information about what happens to Village services.
Q4. Are there differences between how Towns and Villages can govern?
A4. CGR has developed a white paper highlighting the differences between how Villages and Towns in NY can govern.
Q5. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
A5. Article 17-A of the NYS Municipal Law determines the exact requirements of a dissolution process. The Committee will be following the requirements for this process as well as suggestions proposed by NYS as they consider the alternatives.
Q6. Who would lead a combined entity?
A6. If the Village were to dissolve, the Town would become the responsible government for those living in the former Village. While Village residents are already voting members of the Town, Town government would become responsible for the services, assets and liabilities of the former Village government. The specifics of what would transfer and what would not will be studied and presented to the community through the dissolution plan.
Q7. Who decides if the Village of Mannsville should dissolve and merge operations with the Town of Ellisburg?
A7. Only the residents in the Village of Mannsville can vote on a referendum to dissolve their Village.
Q8. Why can only Village voters vote on dissolution and not all Town residents?
A8. The Village of Mannsville was established by a group of Town citizens who voted to be taxed differently for their services and to be governed by another group of elected representatives – the Village Board. Now, essentially 130 years later, Village voters are the ones to decide whether to remain separate or to dissolve this structure. As such, New York State law provides that only Village residents can vote to dissolve their Village.
Q9. When will a vote on Village dissolution take place?
A9. There is NO scheduled vote at this time. The study will produce a report but may not result in an actual dissolution process. The Village board will review the recommendations of the report and determine a course of action once the study is complete.
Q10. How will we know if there is something new the study team can tell the community/strong>?
A10: Check this website periodically for updates. When there is a major addition to the site, we'll send an email alert. Sign-up for email alerts if you would like to receive them.
Q11. How can I raise a question or make a comment for the study team to consider?
A11. To email the study team, click here. If you have problems using the email form, please send an email directly to Jill Symonds
(jsymonds@cgr.org).
