To the Editor:

In the small village of Morristown, a village-wide vote is approaching which would consolidate the financials and services of the Village of Morristown and the town.

This type of consolidation has been a common occurrence in the North Country where duplication of services has made an already hefty tax burden worse.

Village taxes will be cut 60 percent; no small amount, and town taxes could potentially, but are unlikely, to go up as much as 6 percent.

Village services would be the responsibility of the town and all but one employee of the village will be moved to the town’s payroll. Three elected officials would have to run for re-election.

It is crystal clear to most that eliminating the duplication found in two municipalities would be a very positive thing.

Fire and water districts will be created to eliminate the single municipality ownership. The reduction in taxes obviously bears out the savings.

There is very little negativity. But where there is, we need to try to understand the reasons: Anyone losing a job would naturally be unhappy but in the one case, alternative employment has been offered and refused.

There are issues where the likely most qualified applicants fostered nepotism. Loyalty is wonderful but it has to pass the smell test and will be unnecessary with a larger labor pool.

The fact that the boards of the village and the town have been able to keep attrition to such a minimum is incredible.

It is not possible to dissolve one municipality into another without some employment issues but here they are nearly non-existent.

Lower taxes help investment in residences and businesses, something Morristown needs desperately.

It would be foolish and expensive to not support the dissolution of the Village of Morristown into the Town of Morristown.

Village residents make sure you vote in the affirmative on June 26. Change is not a disease.

Ted Zoli

Morristown