ALBANY — The New York Assembly received and voted on amendments to the recently signed village law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2023. This action allows the results of the vote conducted on Thursday, January 18, to move forward and permits the creation of a new village in Sullivan County. 

Currently, the votes are awaiting certification, a process that can commence now that the Assembly has voted according to the Thompson Town Attorney Michael Mednick. 

Unofficial results, as started by Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr., indicate that 224 individuals were for the creation of the village, while two opposed it.

Originally, the vote was postponed after Supervisor Rieber and Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Michael Bensimon chose to cancel the referendum due to the New York Assembly’s final vote not taking place.

Responding to the Order To Show Cause from the attorneys of the proposed Villages of Ateres, New York 3rd Judicial District Supreme Court Judge Stephan Schick stated that the election can proceed despite the Assembly’s final votes not being concluded.

The finalization of Governor Hochul’s amendment is contingent on approval from both the State Senate and Assembly. 

Under the previous village law, only 500 people were required to incorporate a new village. The updated law has raised this threshold to 2000 persons. After Gov. Hochul’s amendments, it was reduced to 1500 people. 

Additionally, the revised legislation mandates a comprehensive fiscal and administrative viability analysis for proposed villages, considering factors such as taxation, bonding, and the provision of essential services like sewer, water, fire and police.

As for the Village of Ateres, it is exempt from the new law and will follow procedures for former village incorporation which means the new village must establish a government structure, potentially including a village board, mayor and other officials.

Thompson Town Attorney Michael Mednick expects the votes to be certified soon. After a 10-day challenge period, the towns will submit the certified results to the state for final approval.