Spitzer wants Norwich governments to consider merger
NORWICH – Governor Eliot Spitzer is asking the city and the town of Norwich to explore the possibility of merging to form one municipality.
One big question: would it become just a town or just a city or something else?
For right now, Spitzer just wants both local governments, along with 4,200 others across the state, to consider if and how they can consolidate operations and lessen the tax burden on New Yorkers who, he says, are subject to too much government.
“Forty-two-hundred taxing entities, decision-making entities, just doesn’t make sense,” Spitzer said Thursday.
The city and town of Norwich are having a joint consolidation meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Norwich town hall.
The Governor handed down a list of nearly 150 statewide initiatives Thursday. They range from merging and dissolving governments to sharing services like fire, highway, water and sewer.
The state is currently offering grants for municipalities to fund studies that examine the feasibility of consolidating.
City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he not only supports exploring a merger of the city and the town, he thinks the entire county should examine the possibility of getting smaller.
“The Governor is trying to make New York more palatable for business and investment. Right now the taxes are too high, and it really isn’t necessary,” Maiurano said. “I think looking into this is a good thing. We need to just give it a shot. There’s nothing to lose and more to gain. Right now we just go on day to day, and things might be fine, but maybe they could be better.”
The list was compiled by Spitzer’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness (LGEC) based on ideas the Governor requested from local governments in April.
Aside from the merger, Maiurano offered the Governor a list of ideas for reducing costs in April, which included hooking the town into city water.
“In the long run, it would be cheaper for everyone,” he said.
Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law isn’t sold on the idea that the two governments could combine, but says other services could be shared, and that those options have been discussed.
“Water and fire yes,” he said. “Merger, I don’t think so.”
The town currently pays the city for fire protection and some of its water service.
On merging, Law says he’ll keep an open mind.
“I’d be open-minded to having a study done to see what the feasibility of merging would be,” he said, explaining that Albany doesn’t always know what’s best for local governments. “It’s interesting, they (Albany) can’t even resolve something like the voting machine issue.
“I’m always open-minded to finding ways we can do things better and cheaper for taxpayers. But we need to work together, work these things out ourselves,” he said. “When big government tells little government how to do things, I don’t like that.”
Law said the town did not offer ideas for consolidation when asked by Spitzer.
According to 2000 census figures, if combined, Norwich’s population would become 11,191 (City: 7,355, Town: 3,836).
In this area, the commission also asked that local leaders look into creating a Chenango County-wide highway department that would replace some or all local crews.
Commerce Chenango, formerly the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, has been conducting community cooperation workshops over the past several years in an effort to streamline costs and operations for area school districts and fire departments, among other areas.
“I think Chenango County is ahead of the ball on this issue,” said Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter. “We realize the importance of shared services and its impact on lowering costs.”
Both the Cortland and Oneonta areas were also asked to explore combining their towns and cities. In one instance, Tioga County is considering dissolving itself completely.
“These initiatives were submitted by local leaders who believe, as I do, that government should be an evolutionary process leading to better, more efficient ways of serving New Yorkers,” said Spitzer in a prepared statement. “These ideas embody a commitment to streamlining government, and I commend those officials for their courage and leadership in this area.”
The LGEC is expected to make its own recommendations for local governments to Spitzer by April 15.
Public meetings with the LGEC are scheduled with local government associations and regional chambers of commerce, although dates and times have not been released.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
One big question: would it become just a town or just a city or something else?
For right now, Spitzer just wants both local governments, along with 4,200 others across the state, to consider if and how they can consolidate operations and lessen the tax burden on New Yorkers who, he says, are subject to too much government.
“Forty-two-hundred taxing entities, decision-making entities, just doesn’t make sense,” Spitzer said Thursday.
The city and town of Norwich are having a joint consolidation meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Norwich town hall.
The Governor handed down a list of nearly 150 statewide initiatives Thursday. They range from merging and dissolving governments to sharing services like fire, highway, water and sewer.
The state is currently offering grants for municipalities to fund studies that examine the feasibility of consolidating.
City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he not only supports exploring a merger of the city and the town, he thinks the entire county should examine the possibility of getting smaller.
“The Governor is trying to make New York more palatable for business and investment. Right now the taxes are too high, and it really isn’t necessary,” Maiurano said. “I think looking into this is a good thing. We need to just give it a shot. There’s nothing to lose and more to gain. Right now we just go on day to day, and things might be fine, but maybe they could be better.”
The list was compiled by Spitzer’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness (LGEC) based on ideas the Governor requested from local governments in April.
Aside from the merger, Maiurano offered the Governor a list of ideas for reducing costs in April, which included hooking the town into city water.
“In the long run, it would be cheaper for everyone,” he said.
Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law isn’t sold on the idea that the two governments could combine, but says other services could be shared, and that those options have been discussed.
“Water and fire yes,” he said. “Merger, I don’t think so.”
The town currently pays the city for fire protection and some of its water service.
On merging, Law says he’ll keep an open mind.
“I’d be open-minded to having a study done to see what the feasibility of merging would be,” he said, explaining that Albany doesn’t always know what’s best for local governments. “It’s interesting, they (Albany) can’t even resolve something like the voting machine issue.
“I’m always open-minded to finding ways we can do things better and cheaper for taxpayers. But we need to work together, work these things out ourselves,” he said. “When big government tells little government how to do things, I don’t like that.”
Law said the town did not offer ideas for consolidation when asked by Spitzer.
According to 2000 census figures, if combined, Norwich’s population would become 11,191 (City: 7,355, Town: 3,836).
In this area, the commission also asked that local leaders look into creating a Chenango County-wide highway department that would replace some or all local crews.
Commerce Chenango, formerly the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, has been conducting community cooperation workshops over the past several years in an effort to streamline costs and operations for area school districts and fire departments, among other areas.
“I think Chenango County is ahead of the ball on this issue,” said Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter. “We realize the importance of shared services and its impact on lowering costs.”
Both the Cortland and Oneonta areas were also asked to explore combining their towns and cities. In one instance, Tioga County is considering dissolving itself completely.
“These initiatives were submitted by local leaders who believe, as I do, that government should be an evolutionary process leading to better, more efficient ways of serving New Yorkers,” said Spitzer in a prepared statement. “These ideas embody a commitment to streamlining government, and I commend those officials for their courage and leadership in this area.”
The LGEC is expected to make its own recommendations for local governments to Spitzer by April 15.
Public meetings with the LGEC are scheduled with local government associations and regional chambers of commerce, although dates and times have not been released.
---
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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