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MANNSVILLE The village government will not dissolve after about 86 percent of voters turned down a proposal to do so Tuesday.
Residents decided in a 106-17 vote following months of debate and information sessions.
While tax rates were projected to decrease by as much as 45 percent because of employee cuts and additional state aid, village residents expressed concern about losing services they had come to know, like the library and snow plowing at the fire hall and church.
In the long run, it makes sense to keep it as is, said Mary E. McAnear, who lives on Douglas Street and voted against dissolution.
After the vote, Mayor Lori Cashel said she was surprised at the level of support from residents to keep the village intact.
She said she was also happy the study period allowed residents to understand their village government and its functions.
Its nice to know people know that and appreciate that and want to keep it the way it is, Ms. Cashel said. Now its just our job to make sure we do what voters want us to do.
Tuesdays vote brought out 124 of the villages 228 registered voters, who cast their ballots in the village offices conference room. About 25 people voted in the polls first hour at noon, which village Clerk Cindy Wood said was as much as the entire voting base in past elections.
As of the 2010 census, the village had 354 residents.
Carl H. Scoville, who came to the polls with his wife of 50 years, Arlene M., said the positives of remaining a village were greater than dissolving.
We have a lot going here, he said. Were a positive community and Id hate to lose that.
Jason M. Landry, who moved to the village with his family from Watertown six years ago, said he did so because it was an incorporated village.
We enjoy the services in the village and the people who work here, he said. Well pay the little extra.
Rebecca A. Sicley, a resident for only five years, said she voted for dissolution and the money she paid in taxes didnt match the level of services offered. Michael L. Parish, a 15-year village resident who also voted for dissolution, said he thought it would make taxes a little easier for everyone.
With polls closing at 9 p.m., it took election officials Jill Dack and Charlotte Besaw about an hour to finish the count.
In other ballot items, Ms. Cashel, who ran unopposed for mayor, received 114 votes. James T. Pelton, with 108 votes, and Jonny Boenning, with 58 votes, won the two vacant trustee positions, defeating Rebecca Reed, who had 46 votes.