[POLL] Second Rye Town Dissolution Forum Tonight

The second of three community forum discussions about the potential dissolution of Rye Town government is tonight. The forum will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mamaroneck Village Hall, 169 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY.

In tough economic times, how can three municipalities make the best of things and share resources? Is it more efficient to share services and operate under the umbrella of Rye Town, or should the town be done away with altogether? Will eliminating a redundant layer of government deliver tangible property tax relief?

Those are some of the questions on the minds of local leaders and residents as they convene for a series of meetings on the Rye Town dissolution study. Financed with funds from the villages that make up Rye Town, as well as state money, local leaders hope the study will answer most of those questions and shed light on other concerns related to potential dissolution.

The first forum in September, 2011 at Port Chester Senior Center sparked a lively discussion between area residents and local officials from the municipalities involved. 

The kick-off event also gave Dr. Dr. Joseph Stefko, director of public finance, and research associate Ana Liss from the Center for Government Research to explain the methodology of the study.

Stefko said there are about half a dozen similar studies going on around the state and a few more in neighboring New Jersey; this one will take five to seven months.

Stefko said the purpose of the study is to ask "what-if" questions about the Town of Rye. What if the town was dissolved, what kind of government structure might replace it? But he stressed that the public would drive the outcome, "Our role is not to come in and say this is what you should do, we see our role as informants."

In other communities facing the issue of consolidation, Stekfo said he has seen that many more factors go into residents' decisions than potential tax savings.

"Very few towns that study dissolution actually go through with it," said Stefko. "It's about 10 to 1 those that study it to those that actually do it. People have certain feelings about their community. Dollars and cents are important, but only one type of consideration."

Want to share your opinion? Take our poll, "Should Rye Town Be Dissolved?" and read up on  in our archives.

Here's the announcement for next week's meeting, which includes links to web resources, original documents from the study, and background information on the process to date:

The second forum on the Rye Town Dissolution Feasibility Study and Village Alternatives Analysis will be held on Thursday, January 12. The forum will include an update on the study and a review of the Baseline Report on Town/Village services and finances.

The Baseline Report, which is available at the project website at www.cgr.org/ryetown, as well as at Rye Town Hall and Village Halls in Rye Brook, Port Chester and Mamaroneck, is intended to create a basic understanding for the study team, Steering Committee and larger community before the detailed consideration of alternatives for future governance options within the Town of Rye.

The Report will serve as the foundation for evaluation of the following options:

1. Potential dissolution of Rye Town government in order to eliminate an administrative level of government and, in so doing, possibly generate property tax relief for residents;

2. Alternative forms of government, particularly separate coterminous town/village options in Port Chester and Rye Brook, as a means of improving cost effectiveness and enhancing shared services;

3. Governance and service options for the Rye Neck section of the Village of Mamaroneck that is within Rye Town; and

4. Potential shared service alternatives between and among Rye Town and the Villages of Port Chester, Rye Brook and Mamaroneck.

The Steering Committee, comprised of elected officials and administrators from Rye Town and the Villages of Rye Brook, Port Chester and Mamaroneck, issued the following statement: “We encourage residents to attend this important forum. It is a great opportunity to hear about the progress made to-date on this study, as well as for residents to provide their valuable feedback and suggestions.”

The meeting will include a brief presentation by the study consultant, the nonprofit Center for Governmental Research (CGR). The meeting will also provide the public with an opportunity to comment, ask questions, and get up-to-speed on next steps.

At any time, residents can access the study website to review background documents and submit comments to the Steering Committee.

Related Topics: Mamaroneck High School, Mamaroneck Village Hall, Port Chester, Property Taxes,Rye Brook, Rye Neck, Rye Town, Rye Town Dissolution Study, Study, and dissolution