Village voters decide. Dissolution can only occur if eligible village residents vote in favor of it in a referendum. The Town does notunilaterally dissolve the Village, and no decision can be finalized without voter approval.

Village dissolution is a legal process under New York State law that allows residents of an incorporated village to vote to dissolve the village government. If approved by voters, the village ceases to exist as a separate municipality, and the town assumes responsibility for services, assets, and obligations according to an approved dissolution plan.

Dissolution does not eliminate the community, neighborhoods, or identity of Mount Morris—it changes how local government is structured, not where people live.

Common reasons include:

• Reducing duplicative government functions

• Lowering administrative and operational costs

• Simplifying tax structures

• Improving coordination of services

• Increasing efficiency and accountability

• Addressing declining population or tax base

Each community’s reasons are unique, which is why Mount Morris must evaluate its own data.

The Town continues to exist and would become the sole municipal government for the area formerly covered by the Village. The Town would assume responsibility for services currently provided by the Village, such as public works, streets, and administration, as outlined in the dissolution plan.

No, Village debt does not transfer to Town taxpayers. Typically:

• Existing village debt continues to be paid by properties within the former village boundaries

• Debt allocation is clearly defined in the dissolution plan

• State law allows for special districts or tax areas if needed

Debt responsibilities are one of the most carefully regulated aspects of dissolution.

It depends. Some residents may see savings, while others may see little change or different allocations. Tax impacts depend on:

• Existing village and town tax rates

• Debt and assets of the Village

• How services are consolidated

• Transitional costs

• State aid and grants available

A dissolution plan must include detailed fiscal analysis so voters can review projected impacts before voting.

Services would continue, but how they are delivered may change. Options may include:

• Town-operated services

• Special districts for certain services

• Shared or restructured service departments

The goal is continuity of service with greater efficiency, not service elimination.

Village employees are not automatically terminated. Outcomes vary and may include:

• Transfer to Town employment

• Retention under different roles

• Contractual or negotiated transitions

Employee protections and obligations are addressed in the dissolution plan and must comply with labor laws and existing contracts.

Village assets—such as buildings, vehicles, equipment, and land—are:

• Transferred to the Town

• Sold, leased, or repurposed

• Used to offset costs or debt

All assets must be inventoried and addressed transparently in the dissolution plan.

Not necessarily.

• Fire protection in Mount Morrisis provided by our independent fire district and fire companies, which will remain unaffected

• Police will have the ability to expand their jurisdictional borders with the town to continue and expand service

• The ambulance/EMS service in Mount Morris is a service already provided by the Town, and services would remain unaffected

Each service is reviewed individually to ensure continuity and safety.

Village residents will continue to have representation through the Town government, whose five-member Board is currently comprised of two Village residents.

Some residents view dissolution as:

• Fewer elected officials, but

• Clearer lines of accountability

Others raise concerns about representation, which can be remedied through the addition of two additional Board members should the Town choose to add them. These options highlight why public engagement is critical throughout the process.

A dissolution plan is a legally required document that explains:

• How services will be provided

• How assets and liabilities are handled

• Tax impacts

• Employee transitions

• Timelines

• Legal and administrative steps

Voters must have access to the plan before any referendum.

Yes—before voter approval. Public hearings, feedback, and revisions are part of the process. Once voters approve dissolution, the plan is implemented as adopted.

The process typically takes one to two years, depending on:

• Community engagement

• Complexity of services and assets

• Legal and financial review

• Referendum timing

Dissolution is deliberate by design, not rushed.

No. Village dissolution is voluntary, initiated locally, and decided by voters. Exploring dissolution does not mean it will happen.

Because dissolution affects:

• Taxes

• Services

• Governance

• Employees

• Community structure

Residents deserve facts, not fear, and time to understand the real impacts—not rumors or assumptions.

Zoning does not disappear when a village dissolves. Dissolution changes which government administers the rules, not whether rules exist.

When a village dissolves, New York law allows the Town to ensure continuity of land-use regulation. In practice, this typically means:

• Existing Village zoning, subdivision, and land-use regulations are carried forward temporarily so there is no regulatory gap.

• The Town administers those rules for the former village area until changes are formally considered.

• Building permits, certificates of occupancy, and enforcement continue under existing standards.

Residents and property owners do not wake up to a “zoning free-for-all.”