Frequently Asked Questions
Dissolution Study Committee FAQ – January 2011
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 ultimately approved by voters, would the name of Potsdam change?
Q. What will happen to my services?
Q. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
Q. Who is on the study team?
Q. How will we 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 can only Village voters vote on dissolution and not all town residents?
Q. Who would lead a combined entity? Who decides?
Q. May I attend Dissolution Study Committee meetings?
Q. Why isn't information about X included on this website?
Q. What is meant by Town-Outside and Town-Outside Residents?
Q. Why a dissolution study now?
A. The Village Trustees voted to formally study dissolving the village in anticipation of putting a proposition for dissolution before Village voters in November 2011. The study is being funded by a grant from the NYS Local Government Efficiency program and will detail alternatives to dissolution as well as fiscal and service impact in the context of a dissolution plan.
Q. Are there other recent examples where a village and town in New York have consolidated?
A. Yes. 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 will dissolve. In 2008, voters in the Village of Pike also approved dissolution and consolidation with the Town of Pike.
Q. If dissolution is ultimately approved by voters, would the name of Potsdam change?
A. Since the Village and Town share the same name, dissolving the Village simply means it will no longer be the "Village" of Potsdam. Those outside the community would likely still refer to the community as Potsdam.
Q. What will happen to my services?
A. We need to complete the study to answer this question. By May 2011 the study team will have completed a report outlining the dissolution plan, and will be able to outline the pros and cons of various options for residents of the Village and Town. The Committee will hold public forums for the community to comment on the plan.
Q. What are the major steps in the dissolution plan process?
A. Article 19 of the NYS Village 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. Learn more
Q. Who is on the study team?
A. The study team consists of a cross-section of community leaders and residents, appointed by the Village Board of Trustees. To see the list of members, click here.
Q. How will we 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, we'll send an email alert. Sign-up for email alerts if you would like to receive them.
Q. How can I raise a question or make a comment for the study team to consider?
A. To email the study team, click here. If you have problems using the email form, please send an email directly to Jaime Saunders (jsaunders@cgr.org).
Q. What is the population of the Village and Town?
A. The Census 2009 estimates show 16,300 residents in the Town of Potsdam with 9,873 of those living in the Village. Thus, the Village represents 61% of the total population of the Town.
Q. Why can only Village voters vote on dissolution and not all town residents?
A: The Village of Potsdam 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 180 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.
Q. Who would lead a combined entity? Who decides?
A. 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, personnel, 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. Only registered voters in the Village will decide whether to dissolve the Village.
Q. May I attend Dissolution Study Committee meetings?
A. Please Do! There is no better way to stay informed about our process. The dates and times of upcoming meetings are listed on this website and published in the Daily Courier-Observer.
Q. Why isn't information about X included on this website?
A. The Dissolution Study is an incremental process. Documents and information provided to the Committee will be included on this website as the project progresses. Therefore, if you do not see information that you were interested in at this point in time please keep checking on the website as it will be continuously updated. If you would like to receive an email notification when new information is added to the site please subscribe here. If you have further questions about the project please feel free to send us an email here.
Q. What is meant by Town-Outside and Town-Outside Residents?
A. Town-Outside refers to the portion of the Town of Potsdam that is outside of the villages. Similarly, Town-Outside residents are people who live in the Town of Potsdam but not in the villages. This study will also include a discussion and investigation of effects of dissolution, if any, on residents of the Village of Norwood.
