Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Public Meeting Village - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Public Meeting Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Introductions Laberge Group Benjamin H. Syden, AICP, Vice President Kathleen Rooney, Local Government Specialist Public Signals LLC John Rodat, President Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Meeting Decorum • Please sign up to speak • Speakers will be selected in order from the sign-in sheet • Comments will be received at the end of the presentation • Each person who signed in will have 3 minutes to speak Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Overview of Presentation • How Did We Get Here? • The Consolidation Process • What is an Interim Consolidation Report? • What is a Consolidation Plan • Next Steps • Questions & Answers on Process / Public Comment Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? Steps toward Consolidation in Pawling to Date: Citizen-Initiated Reorganization • July 31, 2020 the electorate of the Village and Town of Pawling submitted a petition for Consolidation. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? Steps toward Consolidation in Pawling to Date: Citizen-Initiated Reorganization • August 10, 2020 the Village and Town Clerks reviewed and certified petition. • By September 9, 2020 the Village and Town Board will meet to enact resolutions calling for a Referendum on the proposed Consolidation no less than 60 days and no more than 90 days from the September meeting. • No further action is required of the Village or Town Board until after the referendum. • The Village and Town can choose to provide information prior to the referendum in the form of an Interim Report. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? Dissolution vs. Consolidation Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? New York State Precedent and Enabling Legislation  Prior to 2010, 39 New York Villages had been dissolved.  Effective March 21, 2010 New York State General Municipal Law 17-A “Dissolution and Consolidation of Local Government”.  NYS GML 17-A provides guidance for citizens and local governments regarding Dissolution and Consolidation of government bodies, duties and roles. • Citizen Empowerment Tax Credit = 15% of the joint general fund tax levy Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? Villages Dissolved 1900-2019 Roxbury - 1900 Belleville - 1979 Perrysburg - 2011 Prattsville - 1900 Seneca Falls - 2011 Rosendale - 1979 Rifton - 1919 Savannah - 1979 Edwards - 2012 LaFargeville - 1922 Elizabethtown - 1981 Altmar - 2013 Brookfield - 1923 Bloomingdale - 1985 Keeseville - 2014 Oramel - 1925 Pine Hill - 1985 Bridgewater - 2014 Newfield - 1926 Lyons - 2015 Woodhull - 1986 Pleasant Valley - 1926 East Bloomfield - 1990 Salem - 2016 Marlborough - 1928 Holcomb - 1990 Hermon - 2016 Northville - 1930 Pine Valley - 1990 Forestville - 2016 Old Forge - 1933 Ticonderoga - 1992 Macedon - 2017 Forestport - 1938 Port Henry - 2017 Westport - 1992 North Bangor - 1939 Henderson - 1992 Herrings - 2017 The Landing - 1939 Schenevus - 1993 Cherry Creek - 2017 Downsville - 1950 Fillmore - 1994 Mastic Beach - 2017 Amchir - 1968 Mooers - 1994 Harrisville – 2018 Prattsburg - 1972 Van Etten – 2018 Andes - 2003 Pelham - 1975 Pike - Wyoming - 2009 Morristown – 2019 N. Pelham - 1975 Limestone - 2010 Fort Covington- 1976 East Randolph - 2011 Friendship - 1977 Randolph - 2011 Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

How Did We Get Here? Initiation of Process • “The… Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act … provides a process for citizens to petition for a public vote on dissolving or consolidating local governments The Consolidation or consolidation process may also be initiated by a local governing board.” • The first step shall be a petition, said petition must be signed by at least 10% of the number of electors. • The Pawling Consolidation has been an citizen-initiated process. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Overview of the Proposed Consolidation Process: Prior to Referendum • Public informational meetings: August 25th, 2020 (livestreamed) and a second date TBD within 2 weeks of the votes. • If the Town and Village choose to develop an Interim Consolidation Plan, consultants will interview Village and Town officials and staff, review municipal data and develop the Interim Report and other memoranda. • If asked to prepare the Interim Consolidation Plan, links to reports will be available at www.labergegroup.com/pawling • This website can be accessed from the Village and Town’s website. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Overview Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020 Village of Spencer Consolidation Study August 18, 2015

Overview of the Proposed Consolidation Study Process: Referendum The referendum vote shall be: Date to be determined, 2020 Location to be determined (12pm - 9pm) The question will appear on the ballot as follows: “Shall the Incorporated Village and Town of Pawling be consolidated?” Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Preliminary Test: Does it make “sense” or “cents” • Economy: Will the proposed Consolidation reduce the current Village and/or Town costs now or in the future? E ffectiveness • Efficiency: Will the proposed Consolidation improve the current delivery of Village and/or Town E conomy E fficiency services? • Effectiveness: Will the proposed Consolidation allow the Town to deliver needed services that are qualitatively improved or that the Village would find difficult to provide individually? Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Goal of Interim Process: Balancing Community Values vs. Cost Savings  Cost  Services  Cost  Services  Cost  Services  Cost  Services Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Overview of the Proposed Consolidation Process After the Referendum If the vote is “No” • Consolidation will not take effect; nothing further will occur. • Consolidation process may not be initiated again for 4 years from the date of the Referendum. • Village and Town may focus on shared services with other entities to reduce costs and improve quality. • The Village or their residents can still pursue a dissolution. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

Overview of the Proposed Consolidation Process After the Referendum If the vote is “Yes”, the Village and Town Board: • Shall meet within 30 days to create a committee & set schedule. • Shall approve a Consolidation Plan in 180 days or less. • Shall have one or more public hearings following the approval of the Consolidation Plan (35-90 days after) • Shall have up to 60 days to finalize & adopt the Consolidation Plan based on hearing(s). • The Final Consolidation Plan is subject to Permissive Referendum (25% of the electorate). THERE IS NOT A GUARANTEED SECOND VOTE • The petition must be submitted within 45 days. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

State Financial and Technical Assistance for Consolidation Studies and Plans • New York Department of State provides financial and technical assistance to local governments. • The Local Government Citizens Reorganization Empowerment Grant (CREG) assists local governments with planning and implementation activities related to Consolidation of government. • The Town shall apply for an Expedited Re ‐ Organization Assistance grant which reimburses 90% of expenses up to $50,000. THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME • This would have covered most of the costs associated with the Interim Report and if necessary, the Final Consolidation Plan. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

What is an Interim Report? • The Interim Consolidation Report is intended to better educate and inform the public of the Consolidation process and potential outcomes. • The report will summarize a potential new government model of service delivery and identify pros/cons associated with consolidation. • Will provide a potential fiscal impact to both Village & Town residents. • Information will be shared through public meetings, pamphlets, and the Interim Consolidation Study. Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020

What is a Consolidation Plan? The Interim Consolidation Report The Interim Consolidation Report includes:  Summary of Existing Government Services and Functions  Review of Municipal Services  Potential Post-Consolidation Conditions  Listing of Local Laws & Land Use Regulations  Potential Fiscal Impact: Tax Impact of Consolidation – Option 1: Projected Tax Impact of Consolidation, with Citizen Empowerment Tax Credit (CETC) Savings – Option 2: Projected Tax Impact of Consolidation, without CETC Savings Village and Town of Pawling Consolidation Study August 25, 2020