The Village of Morristown in St. Lawrence County and Harrisville in Lewis County are among eight recipients of Local Government Citizens Reorganization Empowerment Grants (CREG) totaling $245,000 to assist municipalities with government reorganizations.

The grants are to explore and implement dissolutions and consolidations aimed at streamlining and cutting costs for government operations for lower for lower property taxes.

An award of $15,000 for the Village of Morristown will allow for the exploration of dissolution of the village and possible consolidation with the Town of Morristown. A detailed dissolution study will be developed to answer questions both town and village residents have about the dissolution process, and impacts of dissolution. This evaluation will look at potential financial savings, management improvements, service delivery changes resulting from a local government re-organization, and alternatives to dissolution.

The residents expressed interest in possible dissolution, especially given the recent dissolution of two neighboring villages, Edwards and Hermon, according to the announcement from the Department of State.

“The Village Board of Morristown was approached by several residents requesting the village conduct a dissolution study,” said Mayor Cheryl Shatraw. “The village board moved forward to seek funding to conduct a dissolution study; and selected the Development Authority of the North Country to complete the study,” she said.

The Village of Harrisville also received an award of $15,000 to conduct a dissolution study, which will be used to determine possible financial savings, management improvements, service delivery changes resulting from a local government reorganization, and alternatives to dissolution.