Whitesboro will not dissolve, will remain a village
By
CAROLINE GABLE
Story Created:
Jan 5, 2011 at 12:11 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Jan 5, 2011 at 4:37 PM EDT
WHITESBORO, N.Y. (WKTV) - Over 1,000 people came out to vote on the issue of potentially dissolving the Village of Whitesboro Tuesday, but in the end, most residents decided they're happy with the status quo.
47% of registered voters in Whitesboro visited the village offices to decide the fate of their village. Voters lined up to cast their ballots right until the polls were closed at 9 p.m. Many stayed to hear the results of the topic that has been on the lips and ears of Whitesboro residents for months.
34% percent of voters voted to dissolve, (290 votes) while 66% of voters decided to keep the village as is, (715 votes) - and those voters won out.
Whitesboro Mayor Brenda Gilberti was not in favor of dissolving, and was pleased to hear the outcome of the vote. Now she's still listening to voters who want change, and planning for the future.
We have had a game plan," Mayor Gilberti said. "The game plan is to pay off the revenue anticipation note in two years, and we have already paid half of that back. The spending freeze stays in tact and basically the main goal is to consolidate police departments and work hard on that. Other villages were leary of consolidating any services because they didn't know if were going to exists, so I am thrilled with the results."
The Mayor went on to say that she feels that there's a way to consolidate things and still keep the village.
Because residents voted to keep the village the way it is, an additional vote on dissolving may not occur for another four years. However this is likely just the beginning of plans for consolidation as Mayor Gilberti and board of trustees work to bring taxes back down.
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