Frequently Asked Questions
The study team will add to and/ or update the FAQs, as appropriate, during the course of the study.
Q. Why a dissolution plan now?
Q. What would happen to the name "Medina"?
Q. Who is on the study team?
Q. To what extent are the 3 municipalities involved in sharing services today?
Q. Are shared services and consolidated services the same thing?
Q. Are there recent examples where towns in NYS have merged?
Q. How many villages in NYS have held dissolution votes in recent years?
Q. Are there differences between how towns and villages can govern?
Q. What is the population of the Village and Towns?
Q. How can I raise a question or make a comment for the study team to consider?
Q. How will I know if there is something new the study team can tell the community?
Q. Why a dissolution plan now?
A. Village dissolution was one option that was considered as part of the 2011 study as a potential step towards cost savings, or possible merger of the Village with the Towns of Ridgeway and Shelby. While the study offered suggestions for dissolution, there was no requirement to develop a formal dissolution plan. The Village of Medina successfully applied for a NYS Local Government Efficiency (LGE) grant to create a dissolution plan for the village. The matter has been discussed for many years and leaders in the community are considering whether to formally put the issue up for referendum. No timeline or final decision has been made and the Village Board will not be required to put the matter up for referendum once the plan is developed.
Q. What would happen to the name "Medina"?
A. Technically, the area can still be known as Medina without a formal name change. The primary change would be in leadership and government, but similar to many communities around the state, the name of the area may last in perpetuity. An example of this is the former Village of Old Forge, NY. Many Adirondack devotees are familiar with this quaint location, but the "Village" of Old Forge has not existed since 1936. Since 1936, the former village has been governed by the Town of Webb. Yet, the location, many stores and historical buildings all retain the original name of "Old Forge".
A. The study team consists of a cross-section of community leaders and residents who were appointed by the Village of Medina. For a list of members, see About the Study.
Q. To what extent are the 3 municipalities involved in sharing services today?
A. See the Study Committee's What Exists Report.
Q. Are shared services and consolidated services the same thing?
A. No. Shared services involve a partnership, either formal or informal, between local governments, with each maintaining responsibility for the function that is being provided. Consolidated services means one local government cedes operation of a particular function to another. A third option is functional consolidation, whereby local governments remain as separate units, but one or more functions are combined under one government, yielding cost and service efficiencies.
Q. Are there recent examples where towns in NYS have merged?
A. There are no recent examples. Since 1950, 2 towns have consolidated and 2 towns have been created.
Q. How many villages in NYS have held dissolution votes in recent years?
A. Since January 1, 2008, 11 villages have voted to dissolve. They are Seneca Falls, Limestone, Perrysburg, Pike, Randolph, East Randolph, Edwards, Altmar, Bridgewater, Lyons and Keeseville. The Altmar, Bridgewater, Lyons and Keeseville dissolutions were the first ones approved under a new state law that took effect in March 2010. As a result, each of them developed dissolutions plans after their approved votes. Altmar, Keeseville and Lyons residents all petitioned for a vote on their dissolution plan and each subsequently passed in December 2011, October 2013 and March 2014 respectively.
Q. Are there differences between how towns and villages can govern?
A. CGR has developed a white paper highlighting the differences between how villages and towns in NY can govern. Click here
Q. What is the population of the Village and Towns?
A. See the Study Committee's What Exists Report.
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 Paul Bishop (pbishop@cgr.org).
Q. How will I 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 if you have signed up to receive them. Sign up for Email Alerts
