Spring Valley trustees approve study into village dissolution impacts
The study will examine legal, financial, and service impacts as residents and officials remain divided on the issue.
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The Village of Spring Valley is exploring what would happen if the more than 100‑year‑old government dissolved.
During Monday night’s meeting, the village board approved a resolution to begin a dissolution study and planning process to determine whether dissolving the village is in the public interest.
Deputy Mayor Yisroel Eisenbach was one of four trustees who voted in favor of the measure. Mayor Schenley Vital abstained.
"It's better off getting the study done, seeing the facts, and showing it to the public and to see if it's something that's good or bad," Eisenbach said.
The study is expected to examine potential legal, fiscal, operational, service and other impacts.
"Hopefully their concerns will be answered, and we'll have a better understanding of where to go from there," Eisenbach added.
He said the Laberge Group will conduct the study. The firm previously worked on the dissolution process in the Village of South Nyack, which ultimately became part of the Town of Orangetown.
The trustees’ decision follows a public effort last summer to initiate a dissolution vote. That effort failed after organizers did not collect enough valid signatures.
Vital said he abstained because he believes dissolution would harm the village financially and diminish its identity and history. In a statement, he said the study will confirm what he already believes.
"Dissolution is bad financially and historically for our Village
Residents who were asked about the issue were divided. If the process moves forward, voters would ultimately decide whether Spring Valley dissolves.
For now, details of the study are still being finalized.
A large majority of Spring Valley lies within the Town of Ramapo, with the remainder located in Clarkstown.
