On Nov. 8, 2011, voters in Princeton’s borough and township overwhelmingly approved creating a consolidated Princeton effective January 1, 2013. Unofficial results showed the measure passed by 61% in the borough (1,397 yes, 891 no) and 85% in the township (3,870 yes, 665 no). It is the first significant NJ local government merger approved in nearly 60 years. CGR completed in-depth analysis of the financial and operational implications of the merger, and assisted in the development of the consolidation plan.

On Dec. 6, 2011, voters in the Village of Altmar approved an elector-initiated dissolution plan by a vote of 54 to 50. As a result, Altmar is the first village in NY to approve dissolution under a new state law that took effect in March 2010.  The village will be abolished effective June 1, 2013.  The December vote was the second of two votes regarding dissolution held in Altmar in a 13-month period. The first vote on whether to approve dissolving the village passed 80-74. That vote set in motion the development of a dissolution plan.

Facing serious fiscal challenges, the Painted Post NY village board appointed a committee to examine options for the future and project related financial and property tax impacts. In its December 2011 report, the committee provides a strategic framework for creating a more cost effective way to deliver local government services within the village and the surrounding Town of Erwin. Options outlined range from easier-to-do shared services and functional consolidations between the village and town to dissolution of the village. Efficiency savings, stated conservatively, range from $26,000 to $234,000 annually, with village dissolution resulting in the highest savings. CGR assisted the committee.

CGR evaluated ways 31 local governments in Herkimer County NY might maintain roads and bridges within the county more efficiently. The report is designed to be a long range planning document for the local governments. Using GIS mapping along with data about expenditures, personnel, equipment and facilities, CGR recommends consolidating the 19 town and 1 county barns into 8 zone barns, and having the county contract with the towns to provide both summer and winter maintenance for county roads. The plan would result in net cost reductions of up to $875,000, or roughly 2.7% of the current $35.5 million spent annually by municipalities across the county on routine road and bridge maintenance without compromising current service levels.

The Town of Potsdam includes 2 villages; with the majority of residents living in the Village of Potsdam, population 10,000. Home to 2 state universities, nearly 70% of village properties are tax-exempt – putting pressure on village taxpayers to cover a large share of the cost of services. A plan to dissolve the village was put before voters on Nov. 8, 2011. Voters rejected dissolution by a vote of 687 to 334.

Under authority provided by New Jersey law, the separate governing bodies of Chester township and Chester borough created a joint consolidation study commission to examine the feasibility and potential benefits of consolidating into a single municipality. CGR was engaged as study consultant to advise the commission. In March 2011 the commission concluded it would not recommend consolidation at this time.

The Village of Dansville and Town of North Dansville NY are interested in controlling costs through shared service opportunities up to and including full consolidation. While elected officials were originally intrigued by the concept of becoming a co-terminous village and town, a  study found that pursuing city status would be more beneficial in terms of potential cost savings and opportunities for new revenue. In late 2010, the study committee voted to recommend that the elected boards pursue city status for the combined town and village.

The Village and Town of Seneca Falls NY initially engaged CGR to assess ways to achieve a major goal: reduce the cost of government to help stimulate economic growth in the community. CGR found, in a 2008 study, that consolidating the governments would offer potential for major savings for village taxpayers. Subsequently CGR was engaged to serve as consultant to a village dissolution study committee. The committee’s final report, delivered to the village in late 2009, presented a dissolution plan, alternatives to dissolution, and financial and service impacts. In March 2010, voters in the village, which has a population of about 6,700, voted 1,198 to 1,112 in favor of dissolution. When dissolution takes effect at the end of 2011, Seneca Falls will be the largest village in the state to dissolve.