Vote to dissolve the Village of Van Etten passes

In August, 139 village residents petitioned the village of Van Etten to hold a vote to dissolve the local government. On Monday, residents voted to dissolve the Village of Van Etten, 103-76. 

With the vote passing, village services will now be absorbed by the Town of Van Etten, and will eliminate duplicate services. 

According to public data, the town of Van Etten carries the highest property tax rate among towns in Chemung County. Those voting to dissolve the village and consolidate are hoping that their taxes will decrease.

In a study conducted by the Center for Government Research, it was estimated that the dissolution would save homeowners an average of $284 per year. There was also a state incentive, known as the Citizen Empowerment Tax Credit, to dissolve.

In a statement from Heather Gable, of the local Citizen Empowerment Committee, she noted that the petition brought forth by the citizens of Van Etten to dissolve the village government has finally served its purpose.  

Gable stated, “Voters turned out in record numbers for the tiny village’s vote with 103 voting to dissolve, and 76 against the dissolution. Village residents were tired of paying for duplicate services and had their say today.”

Gable also noted that by using Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Citizen’s Empowerment Tax Credit Law, Van Etten is on its way to lowering property taxes for all citizens in both the village and the town.

The village now has approximately six months to come up with a dissolution plan, and residents will have to vote on whether or not the plan is approved. Therefore, the dissolution will be a process, and isn’t guaranteed until lawmakers and voters come to an agreement on a plan. 

According to Van Etten’s Village Mayor, Roger “Jake” Briggs, village officials will be meeting with consultants from the Center for Government Research (CGR). Briggs noted that the meeting planned for Monday with the CGR would discuss the next step, which is preparing a plan for dissolution.

“If the voters do not approve, the dissolution is dead,” said Briggs, adding, “Educating those that have been misled, or downright lied to is a priority.”

The Village of Van Etten, according to 2010 census data, has a population of 537. The Town of Van Etten, according to the same census, has a population of 1,557.