To the Editor:

I am writing this to voice my opinion to leave the Village of Morristown as it is. Please do not dissolve. I have been a proud resident of the Town of Morristown since 1992, village resident/owner since 2001. I chose this community because of the charm it has and the history of being an incorporated Village since 1808.

It is my understanding that a select few residents are all in favor of dissolving the Village and have put some impressive saving numbers on here for people to see. Those select few are village residents that own hundreds of feet of river front property, or highly assessed homes. It would be awesome to save almost $10,000 in property tax, but if your property tax burden is only $700-$1,500 per year, you will end up paying more in the long run.

If the village dissolves, there will be new water districts created, new lighting districts created, new fire districts created. All of those new districts will still need to be funded by the people who live within those districts (village). The village already owns almost $4 million in assets including the fire department.

If a new district is created, this equipment may need to be repurchased at fair market value. (This has already been paid for by the village through past budgets, fire department fundraising and government grants.)

If the town were to take over water and sewer, they will need to reapply for permits and licenses that are costly, not to mention legal fees to perform these tasks. (All at the expense of district members only.)

I feel the amount of my tax burden is like home or auto insurance, for the “what if this happens” events. “If” you have a water or sewer call, an ambulance call or any situation in the village that the current government takes care of as a courtesy to village residents at no additional cost were to happen, what will the cost be to the residents for these types of calls? Will the town still be able to perform these duties in the same timely manner? And at any hour of the night?

In conclusion, it seems to me that the average taxpayer or homeowner stands to pay more and the higher end homes will save significant money.

As the old adage goes, if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

Save our identity! Vote no. Every vote will be needed.

Alton Hance

Morristown