Troy voters reject merger again
The consolidation of Troy and North Troy failed on a revote Monday, leaving the village government intact and the estimated $50,000 annual savings unrealized.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
Voters in Troy, Vermont, rejected the consolidation of the town and the village of North Troy during a special meeting held Monday. The proposal failed to secure the necessary approval in both required articles. Article 1, which addresses the core merger, was defeated by a vote of 186 to 166. Article 2, concerning related administrative changes, lost 177 to 158. This marks the second time the communities have voted against combining their governments.
The proposed merger would have dissolved the separate village government. Under the plan, municipal services such as the fire department would have transitioned to town administration. Currently, North Troy contracts out its fire protection and some utilities from Troy. The dual tax structure means residents in the village pay taxes to both entities. Troy Selectboard Chair Robert Langland argued that the change would eliminate the North Troy Board of Trustees and save the town approximately $50,000 annually. He described the tax savings as a logical financial step for the municipality.
Supporters of the measure focused on eliminating redundant costs. Leo Joy, a longtime local business owner, stated that the merger would prevent duplicating payroll, road maintenance, and sewer functions. He noted that the current system lacks efficiency because residents fund overlapping services in both jurisdictions. The debate has drawn visible attention along Route 105, where numerous signs supporting or opposing the consolidation line the road.
Opponents cited the need for more clarity on future tax rates and operational savings. Ali Carpenter, a resident of Troy, voted against the merger because she felt the community needed more time to understand the financial implications. She expressed concern that merging the fire departments might not yield the projected savings. Carpenter also highlighted the social strain the debate has placed on the small community, noting that residents on both sides feel the pressure of the disagreement.
The vote reflects a wider trend in the state where localities seek to reduce costs by altering their governance structures. Data from the Secretary of State’s Office indicates that more than 30 towns and villages have merged in recent years. The split in sentiment in Troy mirrors a common pattern, with village residents generally favoring consolidation and town residents often opposing it.
Had the voters approved the measure, the Vermont Legislature would have been required to review the charter change. The new governance structure would have taken effect next summer, provided the legislative branch granted its approval.
The failed revote leaves the current governance structure in place for both Troy and North Troy. The two entities will continue to operate as separate municipal bodies with their respective tax bases and service agreements.
