Greenburgh Insider: NYS Legislature never voted on proposal to amend incorporation law.

NYS Legislature fails to act to protect the town.

The NYS Legislature adjourned on Thursday night without amending NYS village law, the statute which dictates the requirements for village incorporation. Proposed amendments never were voted on by either the State Assembly or Senate.  This is the third consecutive year in which legislation aimed at protecting the rest of unincorporated neighborhoods failed to be considered by the Legislature. Edgemont residents are not alone in the state  in seeking to break away from poorer neighborhoods and forming separate villages.

If residents of a wealthy section of the town seek a referendum to become a village - their actions will impact the rest of unincorporated Greenburgh financially. A small number of voters could make a decision impacting services and taxes for the rest of the town. The rest of unincorporated Greenburgh voters have no vote or voice even though we all will be impacted.  It's very possible that incorporation could result in devastating economic and social consequences  for those left behind, especially those most financially vulnerable.  

We hope that our State Legislators will sit down with members of the Town Board, with religious and civic leaders and come up with a plan to protect the town. We are better together.  We are a community that stands for racial diversity, inclusion, voter rights and economic equality.

PAUL FEINER