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Greenwood Lake board backs grant-funded study on townwide police consolidation
Summary
The village approved a resolution to support a New York State grant application to fund a feasibility study on creating a townwide police department, with officials stressing the vote authorizes only a study and not a merger.
The Greenwood Lake Village Board voted to support an application by the town of Warwick for a New York State Local Government Efficiency Grant to fund a feasibility study on a townwide police department.
Mayor Howley said the action is limited to investigation: "I wanna explain that it is only a study. We are not merging the police departments today, tomorrow, or in the near future." Trustee Selye moved the resolution and Trustee Sunny seconded; the board responded "All aye." The mayor said he had discussed the idea with the chief, who "is on board" with conducting the study.
Board members described the decision as exploratory and noted a prior 1990 study had not moved forward. Mayor Howley framed the step as part of an effort to "explore innovative and shared opportunities to improve municipal operations and achieve cost savings." The village will act as a supporting jurisdiction for an application led by the town of Warwick; the grant would cover the study’s cost if awarded.
No timeline for the study's completion or a projected cost beyond the grant application was provided in the meeting record. The board did not take any action to merge departments or change staffing levels at this meeting.
