I agree with Stephen's observation about overhead duplication. It is a point well taken. I would hope that if there is a consolidation, that it be done in phases so that the personnel involved have an opportunity to adjust to new positions, responsibilities, and territories. My biggest concern is that when a consolidation should 'shake out' that overall police protection (patrols on the road and a road patrol sergeant for supervision)is enhanced. I have read that one concern of Village residents is responsiveness to Village calls. This is a legitimate concern. If the consolidated force (if that should be the decision) is not adequately funded, then I have a great concern that we will indeed end up in worse shape as a total Town than before. Consolidation offers the opportunity to reinstate a schools resource officer, have a youth officer, and, best of all, a Town detective to followup on initial reports so that investigations are not dependent on when an individual officer has time during all the requirements involved in normal rotating shifts.

The crime rate in the village is very low so some may feel we don't really need our own police department. Lets consider the fact that this low crime rate may be a result of having our own department. As it is now I often see our patrolmen stopped on the street talking with the kids and older residents as well. It's a nice feeling to have the officer on duty drive by the house and wave hello. I fear that this all would be lost with consolidation. Do we really want to lose this?

I have some deep reservations with consolidation. First of all Todd Hazard has allot going on for example graffiti at the elementary school (read article in the Local) to its own crime problems in which seem quite numerous. How would the consolidation handle if a minor crime occurred in the village would it be placed on the back burner in lew of more serious offensives in the town? I know Chief Williams has been in the village community for many years and communicates with the residents That is the beauty of a village a police force that knows its occupants. Who will become our "go to guy"? Someone that looks over an expansive area or one that is more tight knit like a village police force? If we sell out what will be next? Our Village? Maybe the town can do a better job governing our laws.
I agree with Joe Comish's comment. Why would anyone think the village police is not working for us and we should look elsewhere?
On the other hand I believe that everything can be improved and our village police could improve on costs and enforcement. also I think Chief Williams should hold community meetings a forum setting a few times a year. This would enhance the community and the police.

Recent articles relate the mayor's interest in getting a price from the Town for one officer on 24 hour duty and required attendance at special events. Since we have more than one officer now, is the mayor suggesting that we can perhaps get by with less police service?

Is the Village Board going to require the Town to provide the same coverage the Village Board now requires of our Village Police department?

We have heard of Board members complaints that the police should be more visible at the park, at the schools, at the churches, around the band stand (on foot and bicycle patrols) and in each neighborhood on a regular basis. Is that the standard being required in discussions with the Town? Will officers be available to assist the crossing guards, check on vacant houses to prevent burglaries, control parking at the Riverfront, control traffic and attend to public safety at the many special events a year within the village and monitor the reservoirs? How about the EMT response provided by our village police? While I am sure that the Town police are well qualified, how many of them are even EMT trained and equipped?

Will the Town be able provide the high level of police services we are used to in the Village without very substantial additional costs to the Village taxpayers?

If the Village department is abolished, there is no obligation for the Town to take any of the existing police officers and they could all lose their jobs. There is no requirement for the Town to increase its level of service or the size of its force. If the Town wants to have only three officers on duty and they are all in the Town outside the village, that is their call. What is the legal mechanism to require the Town maintain an officer's presence in the Village ? And if one officer can't cover the entire village, what is the legal mechanism for maintaining more than one?

The danger we face is that the longer this plays out the harder it could be to retain our existing high quality officers in the Village. They will become concerned about their future and leave for more stable surroundings. Through attrition, those behind this effort can accomplish what they can't accomplish out right. Therefore, this issue must be resolved quickly.

The Mayor and the Board were elected on the premise of keeping the Village as it is and improving the quality of life. That was obviously a false pretense since they now to look to turn over the police function to the Town. When you remove the public safety component of local government, many would say there is little left besides maintaining the streets and removing the trash. Do the Trustees really think that the police are redundant but the highway and building departments are not?

If this is really about saving money, why is the board not exploring consolidating our DPW with the Town Highway department? Why not consolidate the building inspector's office? How about a Town-Village consolidated zoning and planning office? How about the assessment function? Each of those may offer significant savings without the attendant risks to public safety, security and quality of life.

We need to know the Village Board's personal positions. It is a cop out to say it is being explored because the "public" wants them to. We have a representative government. They were elected because people trusted them to act in accordance with their own good judgment and not to surrender it to the will of every person they speak with. What is their specific position? Is it just a question of dollars regardless of the impact upon the quality of life in the Village?
Are the members of the Village Board in favor of surrendering our police department with the expectation of saving some money or not? And how much money is enough?
Simple questions deserving simple yes or no answers.

Is the Board of Trustees really looking to move the community towards dissolution of the Village? We deserve an answer.

Mr. Protter said "The Mayor and the Board were elected on the premise of keeping the Village as it is and improving the quality of life." Where did he get such an idea? The current Mayor and board were elected to fix the problems created by you, Mr. Moulton, Bob Gilmore and others who ran up an $8 million debt for a village of 3,000! We expect them to reduce the debt while maintaining an acceptable standard of living. But something must be done to try to recover the funds you so foolishly wasted. Consolidation is an attempt. If it doesn't make sense it won't be done. But to have you try to embarrass Mr. Gross at a public meeting with your condescending tone and accusatory comments is unacceptable You and the gang of thieves had your day. Let others clean up the mess without any more interference from you.

No one wants to see anyone lose their job. At least I believe most people feel that way but with the number of foreclosures increasing in our village and town, it isn't hard to discern that something is going on here! Homeowners are strapped, private sector jobs are being trimmed (Wall Street, Banking, Real Estate, Construction, etc) at some point we as a village and a town will have to come to terms with this and make budget cuts. The current "status quo" of year in year out tax increases has to be reigned in. It's simply not sustainable and not representative of sound government.

Mr D Smith is correct. When the amount of debt the village had was revealed to the public the board was swept clean. The current mayor has managed to curb spending and the debt has been coming down. The Police Consolidation issue came up as a result of the enormous debt as I remember hearing at the meetings. If we could eliminate our debt while keeping our own Police Dept. that would be the best outcome. Could you imagine what would happen if you see C-O-H Police Dept disbanded across the newspapers. I have a feeling we would be descended upon by the not so civil. Besides knowing our Police personally is a luxury we all might regret if we give it up. The Water Dept Bldg on Maple moving to Shore road facility was a great idea. Now sell the bldg. and hopefully someone can put up a single family house that will pay taxes. Also I remember talk of making storefronts along the FoodBank on Hudson St. Great idea I thought. What happened to it? Its really the eyesore of the village as I walk past it. As far as Mr. Misserre(sp?) and Mr. Yannonne(sp?) everyone wishes they would bury the hatchet. The RiverBank is beautiful and compliments the bandstand wall. It enhances the area as does Mr Yannones property. The Riverbank got the necessary paperwork during the previous adm. so that is where the blame lies if it was done improperly. But its done, its beautiful. What do people want those two parking spaces back. I walk this village everyday and the municipal lot always has plenty of space. I'd like to see everyone look forward, stop the backstabbing and work on doing what is possible to eliminate our debt while keeping our village the special place it is.