THOMPSON—The fate of the proposed new village for Thompson and Fallsburg hangs in the balance following the referendum vote held on Thursday, January 18, 2024. According to Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr., unofficial results saw 224 individuals casting their votes in favor of the village’s creation, while two voted against it.

However, the certification of these votes is pending until the New York State Assembly convenes to cast their votes on the amendment changes to the law governing the establishment of new villages.

In December 2023, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul signed the new village creation law that increased the population minimums required for the formation of new villages from a 500 threshold to 2000.

The proposed village would not meet the requirements under the new law.

Governor Hochul, through chapter amendments, successfully negotiated changes, reducing the required population to 1500 persons.

Governor Hochul, in signing the law, introduced a chapter amendment specifically exempting the Ateres application from the revised rules.

The finalization of Governor Hochul’s amendment hinges on approval from both the State Senate and Assembly. Although the Senate approved the amendment in January, it did not reach a vote in the Assembly before the scheduled referendum.

Town of Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber and Town of Thompson Supervisor Michael Bensimon opted to cancel the referendum due to the final vote of the assembly not happening.

As the Assembly previously adjourned, it was set to reconvene yesterday, Monday, January 22, following the Ateres referendum vote. As of presstime, the current law in the State of New York remains based on the original bills approved on December 22 of last year.