allotsego.com EDITORIAL

Don’t Fear The Facts

At 7 p.m. this evening, the Oneonta Town Board will be asked to approve spending $12,500, which will enable the release of a $50,000 state grant to study whether consolidation of the town and city into a single “Greater Oneonta” makes sense.

The study, to be conducted by the Center for Governmental Research, Rochester, would study legislative changes made in 2012 to encourage municipalities to merge when it makes sense to do so.

It is not a vote for merger.  It is a vote to get the facts.  The facts may show it makes sense for the town and city to remain independent.  Or it may show that property taxes would drop and opportunities increase if a single larger municipality is created.

As Oneonta Common Council did last night, the Oneonta Town Board tonight should vote to spend the $12,500.

It’s about the facts.  No more.  The facts should be nothing to fear.