Frequently Asked Questions
The study team will add to and/ or update the FAQs, as appropriate, during the course of the study.
Q. Why a dissolution study now?
Q. Are there other examples where a village and town in New York have consolidated?
Q. If dissolution is approved by Village voters, how would people refer to Port Henry?
Q. What will happen to Village services?
Q. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
Q. Who is on the Dissolution Steering Committee?
Q. How will I know if there is something new the study team can tell the community?
Q. How can I raise a question or make a comment for the study team to consider?
Q. What is the population of the Village and Town?
Q. Why a dissolution study now?
A. The Village Board applied for a state grant to formally study dissolving the Village in anticipation of putting a proposition for dissolution before Village voters in March 2010. The issue of dissolving the Village is one that has been discussed in the community over the years and a formal study, says Mayor Ernest Guerin, "is long overdue."
Q. Are there other examples where a village and town in New York have consolidated?
A. Yes — and some examples are located nearby. Villages in the neighboring towns of Ticonderoga, Westport and Elizabethtown were dissolved a number of years ago. The two most recent village dissolutions in New York State were in 2008 when the Village of Pike dissolved into the Town of Pike and in October 2009 when the Village of Limestone dissolved into the Town of Carrolltown.
Q. If dissolution is approved by Village voters, how would people refer to Port Henry?
A. Port Henry would become a hamlet and would be referred to as Port Henry, in much the same way the hamlet of Mineville is referred to as "Mineville" and the hamlet of Witherbee as "Witherbee".
Q. What will happen to Village services?
A. To fully answer this question the study team needs to complete its work. On December 17, 2009 the study committee will hold an official public hearing on its report. A second public hearing — this one by the Village Board — is anticipated to be held in February, prior to the Village vote. The community will also have other opportunities to comment on the study and elements of the plan. See the calendar section of this website for information on public meetings to be held by the Committee in 2009. Note that the flowchart contains information on steps the Village Board must take in early 2010 in order to put a proposition to dissolve the Village before voters.
Q. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
A. Article 19 of the New York Village Law lists the requirements of a dissolution plan. The Committee will be following the requirements of Article 19, and its final report will consist of the dissolution study and plan.
Q. Who is on the Dissolution Steering Committee?
A. Dissolution Steering Committee members for the Village are Mayor Ernest Guerin, Trustee James Hughes, Walt Wojewodzic and Joseph Celotti. Committee members representing the Town are Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava, Councilman Richard Carpenter, Charlie Bryant and John Boyea. The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) is assisting the Committee.
Q. How will I know if there is something new the study team can tell the community?
A. Check this website periodically for updates. When there is a major addition to the site, the study team will send an email alert. If you would like to receive them, sign up for email alerts.
Q. How can I raise a question or make a comment for the study team to consider?
A. Email Vicki Brown(vbrown@cgr.org).
Q. What is the population of the Village and Town?
A. Census 2008 estimates show 4,507 residents in the Town with 1,047 of the residents living in the Village. Thus, the Village of Port Henry represents 23% of the total population of the Town of Moriah.
