Voters of Pawling, NY collect sufficient signatures to force a ballot initiative to consolidate the governments

Voters of Pawling, NY collect sufficient signatures to force a ballot initiative to consolidate the governments of the Town of Pawling and the Village of Pawling.

In accordance with General Municipal Law Article 17-A enacted in 2009 by New York State, citizens of Pawling signed up online to receive a copy of the petition to sign.  This effort resulted in a total of 831 signatures on the petition.

On Thursday, July 30th and Friday, July 31st the original signatures were presented to The Pawling Village Clerk and the Pawling Town Deputy Clerk.

According to General Municipal Law Article 17-A, the Town and Village clerks had until the end of business Monday August 10th to notify the Town and Village boards that sufficient, valid signatures have been received.

Within 30 days the two governing bodies must enact a resolution calling for referendum and set a date for the vote.  Pawling voters anticipate that date will be the same day as the Presidential election – Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

If voters approve the ballot initiative, the Town and Village governments are eligible for grants through NY State’s “Local Government Efficiency Grant Program” to cover costs related to the research and study of a new merged government that could serve both Town and Village residents.

General Municipal Law Article 17-A also provides strict deadlines for both Pawling governments who must prepare a reorganization plan and approve it by resolution.  At least one public hearing must be held, the reorganization plan amended and a final plan communicated to the voters of both the Town and the Village in 2021.

Registered voters can also vote for or against the final reorganization plan by collecting signatures again next year and a final referendum vote would take place in late 2021.