Tannersville Holds Second Public Informational Meeting on Potential Dissolution

TANNERSVILLE - The Village of Tannersville held its second public informational meeting on August 20 via Zoom. Around 20 people attended in person at the Village Hall, with approximately 70 joining remotely. The meeting, which lasted two hours, was led by Ben Snyden, Vice President of the LaBerge Group, and Kathleen Rooney, Local Government Specialist at LaBerge.

"We've been working diligently with the village and town to develop a study and plan so that you all have as much information as possible should the dissolution move forward," Snyden said.

The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of a Board-Initiated Dissolution Plan, including the process, its impact on governance and services, the future of village assets and liabilities, and its fiscal implications. The session concluded with questions from those in attendance.

The Village Board has resolved to explore the option of dissolving the Village government, which would result in the Town of Hunter absorbing governance and services. To fund the development of the Dissolution Plan, the Village Board of Trustees is applying for a New York State Citizen Reorganization Grant (CREG).

Why Develop a Village Dissolution Plan?

By New York State General Municipal Law Article 17-A, the Village Board is developing this Village Dissolution Plan to ensure that residents have the information needed to make an informed decision when voting in the referendum. The plan aims to answer critical questions and provide unbiased assessments of potential post-dissolution conditions.

Residents can access information from the meeting, including a video recording and a FAQ section, on the LaBerge Group's website at www.labergegroup.com/tannersville.

Snyden thanked the Village of Tannersville and Town of Hunter officials, staff members, community stakeholders, and volunteers for their contributions.

Two Options: Dissolution or Consolidation

The Village has two options: Dissolution or Consolidation. Dissolution would terminate the Village government, with subsequent decisions being made by the Town government. Consolidation would involve the creation of a new Town Government, with voting rights extended to Town and Village residents.

LaBerge has collected and analyzed data, studied the impacts of dissolution, and is now developing the study document and drafting a proposed dissolution plan. The Village Board must endorse this draft plan, hold a public hearing, and decide whether to proceed or amend the plan before setting a referendum date.

The first informational meeting was held in April. According to the proposed timeline, the Village Board will either endorse or reject the dissolution plan in September. If approved, a final vote will occur in November following a public hearing. The preliminary date for the referendum is January 14, 2025, with the dissolution taking effect in December if approved.

Input from Workgroups

The study has included input from various workgroups. The Public Works Workgroup includes Village Mayor David Schneider, Deputy Mayor David Kashman, Town of Hunter Supervisor Sean Mahoney, Highway Superintendent Robert Blain, Public Works and Water Specialist Kerry Knoetgen, and Village Clerk Robin Dumont. The Land Use Workgroup includes Mayor Schneider, Deputy Mayor Kashman, Supervisor Mahoney, Village ZBA Chair David Kukle, Town Planning Board Chair Marc Czermerys, and Clerk Dumont.

"Every voter has to decide how dissolution will impact them," Snyden said, noting that dissolution would eliminate the existing Village governance structure, including the Mayor and Board of Trustees. While the Town would take over all decisions formerly made by the Village, Village residents might have reduced influence in local matters, going from 100% input to around 20% within the larger Town context.

The Town of Hunter has agreed to take over the Village's public works services and create a lighting district with the same boundaries as the current Village. The water system and parks and recreation equipment would also be transferred to the Town, with the Village auctioning off its vehicles and equipment and offering them to the Town first.

Fiscal Impact and Future Plans

The Town would create a Tannersville water district with boundaries mirroring those of the current Village and extend the district to Town users. The Town would continue contracting a water treatment plant operator. LaBerge estimates that within five years, a single-family residence in the Village would experience a 17% increase in annual water rates, rising from $500 to $575.

The NYCDEP will continue funding sewer services. Snyden also highlighted the vital services currently handled by Village Clerk Robin Dumont, noting that post-dissolution, new full-time administrative positions would be created to manage grants administration, Water Department and fiscal services, Planning Board and ZBA support, and special events support.

Post-dissolution, the Village Justice Court would be eliminated, with cases handled by the Town and an increase in court clerk hours. The Town would continue to enforce Village zoning laws for two years after the dissolution, after which they could be repealed or amended.

The Village Hall and firehouse would be sold to offset Village liabilities, while the public works garage would be included in the NYCDEP Flood Buyout Program. Village taxpayers are expected to see a reduction in combined property taxes and water bills, with an estimated $314,540 levy shifting from the Village to the Town tax base.

Village officials' views on dissolution are mixed, with some in favor and others opposed. As the community approaches the referendum, these discussions will be critical in shaping the Village's future.