The Other Side of Dissolution               July 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter  written  by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #5

Let’s Talk About the Dissolution Process

Written by Greg Deemie

Because I have heard so much misinformation recently, about the Dissolution study process, I thought this might make for a timely newsletter topic.  I will do my best to give you an overview of the process of dissolution, which will ultimately lead up to being put on a ballot for vote.  The vote is speculated to be held in November 2009, during the general election.  However, there are efforts by some individuals to speed up the process, therefore this could ultimately be put to a special vote.  We will all need to keep a watchful eye on this situation.  It would be a shame to miss our opportunity to vote on this crucial issue.  I urge all residents, 18 years and above, who are not currently registered to vote, to do so.  Voter registration forms are available at any post office.

The following are some key facts regarding the dissolution study: 

1. The Dissolution Committee is working on a study to dissolve the Village of Johnson City. By law, because of the way the petition was written, the committee must develop a plan to dissolve the village.  This will not be a pro or con study; it will strictly be a plan to tell us what will happen when the village dissolves and the consequences.
2. The Village of Johnson City residents will vote on whether or not to dissolve our village.  By law the residents must vote on the dissolution plan.  If it is approved the Village of Johnson City will dissolve into the Town of Union on December 31st, of the year following the vote. For example: if the vote were to take place in November 2009, if approved, our village would dissolve effective December 31, 2010.
3. The Town of Union has no say in this process.  By law the Town of Union must accept the vote by the residents of Johnson City.  The Town of Union cannot disapprove of the dissolution.  Town of Union officials and residents have no say, they must accept our choice.
4. If our village were to dissolve, all public property would be conveyed to the Town of Union.  This means that the Town of Union would take ownership of all water and sewer rights including, but not limited to, wells,  pumps, and responsibilities thereof; including collection of charges to residents for such services.  All Fire Department real estate and equipment would become the possession of the Town.  All police and governmental buildings and equipment would be forfeited to the Town of Union.  All parks, including our historic CFJ Carousel and pagoda pump house, would become Town property.  We would sign over  millions of dollars worth of assets to the Town of Union, at no cost to them.

The following are excerpts from: Article 19 of the Village Law—Dissolution of Villages.

Read the following very carefully.  Nowhere does it say we will save by dissolving, it only continues to tax the village residents and gives the power to the Town of Union to remove or charge for services any way they feel is necessary.
§ 19-1903. Plan for dissolution
The plan for dissolution shall address the following:

1. The disposition of property of the village.
2. The payment of outstanding obligations and the levy and collection of the necessary
   taxes and assessments therefor.  § 19-1912 see below.
3. The transfer or elimination of public employees.
4. Any agreements entered into with the town or towns in which the village is situated in order to carry out the plan for dissolution.
5. Whether any local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations of the village in effect on the date of the dissolution of the village shall remain in effect for a period of time other than as provided by section 19-1910 of this article. § 19-1910 see below.
6. The continuation of village functions or services by the town. § 19-1914  see below.
7. A fiscal analysis of the effect of dissolution on the village and the area of the town or
   towns outside of the village.
8. Any other matters desirable or necessary to carry out the dissolution.

§ 19-1910. Village legislation
Unless the plan shall provide otherwise, all local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations of the village in effect on the date of the dissolution of the village, including but not limited to zoning ordinances shall remain in effect for a period of two years following dissolution, as if same had been duly adopted by the town board and shall be enforced by the town within the limits of the dissolved village, except that the town board shall have the power at any time to amend or repeal such local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations in the manner as other local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations of the town.

§ 19-1912. Village obligations
Unless the plan shall provide otherwise, the outstanding debts and obligations of the village shall be assumed by the town and be a charge upon the taxable property within the limits of the dissolved village, and collected in the same manner as town taxes. The town board shall have all powers with respect to such debts and obligations as the board of trustees would have had if the village had not been dissolved, including the power to issue town bonds to redeem bond anticipation notes issued by the village.

§ 19-1914. Village functions and services
Unless such action shall be contrary to the plan or inconsistent with law, the town shall assume the duties and functions of the dissolved village and continue to provide the services theretofore provided by the village. The cost of such services shall be a charge upon the taxable property within the dissolved village unless the town board, acting pursuant to law, shall elect to provide such services by establishing or extending a special or an improvement district, or as a town function.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #6

Consulting Firm Arrives

Written by Julie Deemie

 Charles Zettek, Jr, Director of Government Management Services, for the Center for Government Research (CGR) joined the Dissolution Study Committee for their June 16th meeting.  If you will remember, this consulting firm will cost approximately $58,000 to insure unbiased information and that the process is open and participatory to the community. Another role of this consulting firm will be to work closely with the committee to compliment and supplement their data with independent study. This firm is also interested in seeking out the variables, which make Johnson City unique. These variables will help CGR and the committee develop a plan that is in the best interest of both Town of Union and Village of Johnson City residents. Issues outside of the village will be looked at, as well.  Any prior public safety studies and consolidation reports will also be reviewed by the consulting firm. Mr. Zettek will be making trips from Rochester, along with at least two other CGR senior staff employees, to meet with the committee for several hours at a time.  “Charlie” made reference to the study process as a “Community change process” with a “range of challenges”. 
Mr. Zettek openly acknowledged that he has never come on board with a dissolution study at such a late date.  He usually starts from day one with other committees.  He stated that the committee folders already are thicker than the size of his typical finished study binders. Charlie also noted that the size of the Johnson City committee is amongst the largest he has worked with.  Other differences that he noted pertained to the scale of this community: the size, costs, population, infrastructure, and its history.  These differences, he noted, are all considered community variables.  
CGR plans to assist with public participation and host an undetermined number of public meetings, “to try to avoid surprises at the end”.   I assume Mr. Zettek meant, when this issue goes to vote.  In any event, there will be a push for public input in the near future.  How this information will be utilized may include a public relations management strategy, involving public perception “masks”. Mr. Zettek described what public perception “masks” are. He stated that some services can be masked to make them look more efficient, without much of a change or cost reduction.   I wonder why this is necessary and how this will affect the information we are given “at the end”.
I had expected to see Mr. Zettek, or other CGR representatives at the July 7th meeting.  It was a no show due to the fact that Mr. Zettek had just completed a vacation.  This leaves me to wonder how much bang for our buck we will receive for that $58,000 dollars.  After all, State grants are paid by our tax dollars also.

After the dissolution study committee completes its plan to dissolve the Village of Johnson City, it will be up to the voters to decide the fate of our beloved community.

This month’s quote: “It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf”. Walter Lippmann

Public attendance at the Dissolution Committee meetings has been increasing.
This is a public forum and I would encourage all interested taxpayers, regardless of your residency location, to attend.  The next 2 meetings are planned for July 21st  and August 4th at 7pm in the Village of Johnson City Justice Bldg, 2nd floor.  I hope you will join us.