General Municipal Law Article 17-A provides a unified process for the dissolution of local government entities. The process is applicable to towns, villages, fire protection districts, and special improvement districts created pursuant to Articles 11, 12, 12-a, or 13 of Town Law, and other districts created by law. Under Article 17-A of General Municipal Law, there are two different methods for local governments to consider: Board-Initiated or Citizen-Initiated. 

The Board of Trustees of the Village of New Paltz has voted to explore the option of dissolution of the Village government which would result in absorption of governance and services by the Town of New Paltz. The Board has secured CREG grant funding from the New York State Department of State to produce a Village Dissolution Plan. This Plan will assist the Board and the residents of New Paltz in understanding the potential impacts of dissolution.

In addition to this Plan, the Village will host a public information meeting to answer questions regarding the process and potential outcomes as well as a public hearing during which the Draft Plan will be presented.

This is a Board-Initiated Dissolution process. The Village of New Paltz Board of Trustees voted to explore the option of dissolution of the Village government, which would result in absorption of governance and services by the Town of New Paltz. The development of a Village Dissolution Plan will provide information regarding the probable impact of a potential dissolution on issues ranging from continuity of governance, to tax rates, to service delivery. Once the Draft Plan has been completed, it will be available for both the Board and Village residents to consider. 

Should the Board decide to accept the Plan, thereby advancing the dissolution process, Village residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to dissolve the Village in a referendum.

In accordance with New York General Municipal Law (GML) Article 17-A §774, the Board of Trustees of the Village of New Paltz is required to prepare a Dissolution Plan under a Board initiated process. As mandated by Article 17-A, the Plan will include the following information:

1. The name of the local government entity to be dissolved.
2. The territorial boundaries of the entity.
3. The type and/or class of the entity.
4. A fiscal estimate of the cost of dissolution.
5. The entity’s assets, including but not limited to real and personal property, and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States.
6. Any plan for the transfer or elimination of public employees.
7. The entity’s liabilities and indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States.
8. Any agreements entered into with the Town in which the entity is situated in order to carry out the dissolution.
9. The manner and means by which the residents of the entity will continue to be furnished municipal services following the entity’s dissolution.
10. Terms for the disposition of the entity’s assets and the disposition of its liabilities and indebtedness, including the levy and collection of the necessary taxes and assessments therefore.
11. Findings as to whether any local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations of the entity shall remain in effect after the effective date of the dissolution or shall remain in effect for a period of time other than as provided by GML Article 17-A §789.
12. The effective date of the dissolution.
13. The time and place or places for a public hearing or hearings on the proposed dissolution plan.
14. Any other matter desirable or necessary to carry out the dissolution.

The Village Dissolution Plan will also provide information regarding the probable impact of a potential dissolution on issues ranging from continuity of governance, to tax rates, to service delivery.

General Municipal Law (GML) Article 17-A lays out the legal process for a Board initiated dissolution. In accordance with Article 17-A, the Village Board must accept by resolution the Village Dissolution Plan in order to further the dissolution process. To learn about the full process of a Board initiated dissolution, click HERE. 

No. The Town of New Paltz will have no vote in the Village’s dissolution process. This is considered a local government decision. Only the residents of the Village of New Paltz are permitted to participate in the referendum.

Check this website periodically for updates. Information will also be available on the Village’s website.

Yes. Please use THIS LINK and then select “Villages Dissolved Since 1900” to access the New York State Department of State’s list of dissolved villages.