Hanss: grant for dissolution study possible

POTSDAM — Village Planning and Development Director Frederick J. Hanss said he thinks the municipality has a good chance of getting a grant to study dissolution and consolidation in Potsdam.

"I'm pretty confident the village would be able to secure something," he said. "My understanding is that (the state grants) are very competitive, but this is something the state wants people to look at. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we applied and received funding."

Led by newly elected Trustee Stephen J. Warr, who supports dissolving the village, Potsdam officials have been calling for a study on the issue. A discussion led by dissolution expert Wade Beltramo last week stoked the discussion.

Trustee Steven W. Yurgartis has said that dissolution studies typically cost about $50,000 and can take up to a year to complete. He wants the village to apply for a grant to cover all or most of that cost.

"The locality obviously has to bear some of the cost of a study," Mr. Hanss said. "I think we need to look carefully before we leap in with both feet."

Town officials say they would like to have some representation on a dissolution and consolidation study committee.

Mr. Warr supports using a team of SUNY Potsdam researchers led by J. Patrick Turbett, a Democratic county legislator and Potsdam Central School board member, to conduct the study.

A new state law will go into effect in March that will make it much easier for village residents to petition to force a referendum on dissolution.