Merger of the Village of Pelham and the Village of North Pelham in 1975

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In January, 1975, the United States was suffering through a devastating recession that had begun in November 1973.  A quadrupling of oil prices by OPEC and massive government spending due principally to the Vietnam War led to stagflation in the United States.  The country still was reeling from the oil crisis caused by the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo.  Moreover, the 1974 stock market crash was still fresh in the minds of Pelhamites as they watched with concern as inflation and unemployment rose.  The unemployment rate peaked at 9% in May, 1975.

There were, at the time, three villages that comprised The Pelhams:  Pelham Manor (incorporated in 1891); North Pelham (incorporated in 1896); and Pelham (known as the Heights and incorporated in 1896).  Pelham Manor had a substantial "industrial" area within the village but separated from most of the village by the Hutchinson River Parkway.  The Village of Pelham Manor had the lowest taxes of the three because the industrial area at that time provided the "bulk of the tax base."

Taxpayers in the villages of Pelham and North Pelham were unhappy with their tax situation and, of course, were feeling the effects of the recession raging about them.  There were pressures in Pelham and North Pelham to allow increased industrialization to improve the commercial tax base.  

Officials of both villages feared the effects that increased industrialization would have on the residential character of the area.  They realized, however, that they had to take steps to alleviate as best they could the tax pain felt by their residents.  The trustees of both villages decided on a bold move.  They proposed to merge the villages of North Pelham and Pelham into a new, larger village to be known as the Village of Pelham.

Town Supervisor Joseph A. Trotta said "The Pelhams will be just like a small city in 25 years."  Frank Milon, a trustee of the Village of North Pelham, said "In 25 years there will be one village.  It's the only way we can maintain our uniqueness.  We're surrounded on three sides by metropolitan areas -- New Rochelle on the north and east, Mount Vernon on the west and the Bronx to the south.  If they decide to expand, we might see a major change in the Pelhams."

The debate began.  Indeed, it was a spirited and vigorous debate with rowdy public hearings and vocal proponents and opponents mixing it up throughout the two villages.  Village officials hoped for annual savings of a quarter million dollars -- a substantial proportion of the combined annual budgets of both villages.  The bulk of the planned savings were expected to come from combining the two village police forces since the "First Fire District" (as it was called at the time) already combined to serve both villages.  Village officials believed that by combining the two police forces (which had some vacancies at the time that would not be filled and some planned retirements that would not be replaced), they could save $205,000 without laying off any employees.  

Opponents claimed that the claimed expected savings failed to account for substanial costs that would be incurred in combining the two police forces.  Among other things, opponents claimed that the figures ignored the need to incur additional expenses to create consistent uniforms, patches, and equipment across the two forces including the need to re-equip and re-paint police vehicles.

The battle raged while the Village of Pelham Manor watched.  The vote on the proposal was scheduled for January 30, 1975.  That day 55% of the eligible electorate turned out for the vote, a very high turnout.  When the votes were counted, the proposition easily passed 1,519 to 417.  About 78% of the voting public supported the proposal.  It turned out that although the opposition had been vigorous and loud, it was a vocal minority that opposed the merger.

Within days other municipalities looked to the Pelhams for leadership.  Indeed, the local newspaper in Tarrytown, The Daily News, editorialized as follows:

"But in times like these, when economic considerations have taken on heightened importance, the implications of maintaining virtually duplicate municipal functions may be examined with a bit more objectivity than heretofore. . . . NO DOUBT the time has come for another look-see in the Tarrytowns."

Today's Pelhamites know the rest of the story.  The two villages merged in June 1975.  Most importantly, the residential character of the small Town of Pelham was preserved.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is text from a handful of the myriad news articles that appeared in 1975 about the merger of the two villages.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"In Unity They May Find Hope

by JAMES R. ASENDIO

'It's only a dream, but I think we can do it,' said Joseph A. Trotta, supervisor for the Town of Pelham, as he offered his predictions for Pelham's future.

'The Pelhams will be just like a small city in 25 years.  Our government will be efficiently run, using modern systems and methods.  We'll be able to keep the character of the area while also keeping taxes low.'

Referring to Pelham's diverse population, he said, 'The town is good for both young and old.  The livability of the Pelhams is suitable for all backgrounds and incomes.  People here like the atmosphere of a small community.  If we can keep costs and expenses stable, we can stay like we are.'

Supervisor Trotta's dream is shared by many of the area's nearly 14,000 residents.  They represent three villages, North Pelham, Pelham and Pelham Manor, with populations of 5,000, 2,000 and 7,000 respectively.

THE ELECTED representatives of the villages, mayors and trustees alike, echo the residents' feelings.  Maintaining the atmosphere of the Pelhams is central to their remarks.  

Mayor John S. Johnson of North Pelham, said, 'We have a very stable population, who desires the area to remain essentially the same.  We've held the line against urbanization since 1936.  I think we can continue to do so.'

The villages of North Pelham and Pelham are presently engaged in merger proceedings.  The trustees proposed the merger as a step toward efficient government and tax savings.

RESIDENTS will vote on Jan. 30 on the merger.  If passed, it will signal a new era for the area, perhaps, as some hope, establishing the groundwork for the eventual merger of the new village with Pelham Manor.

Mayor Jennings T. Smith, of Pelham Manor, said, 'If we can control the tendency to industrialize, as is the case when an area gets larger, we can remain essentially the same.  The citizens of the villages must decide that question.  I believe they prefer a residential area and will keep it that way.'

Pelham Manor is the wealthiest of the three villages while also having the lowest taxes.  An industrial area, within the village's boundaries but separated from the residential community by the Hutchinson River Parkway, provides the bulk of its tax base.

Frank Milon, a trustee for North Pelham, said, 'In 25 years there will be one village.  It's the only way we can maintain our uniqueness.  We're surrounded on three sides by metropolitan areas -- New Rochelle on the north and east, Mount Vernon on the west and the Bronx to the south.  If they decide to expand, we might see a major change in the Pelhams.'

According to officials, commercial development in the Pelhams will be confined to the occasional grocery store and the corner gas station.

IF THE PROPOSED merger of North Pelham and Pelham is passed, their police departments will be consolidated.  Such a move is expected to save $205,000, in the first year of the merger, due to staff reductions and other economies, according to officials.

James R. Asendio is a staff writer for The Standard-Star, New Rochelle."

Source:  Asendio, James R., In Unity They May Find Hope, The Daily News [Tarrytown, NY; Westchester Commerce & Industry Report Section C], Jan. 21, 1975, p. C30, cols. 1-8. 
"2 Villages Near Decision on Merger

By JAMES ASENDIO

A merger, be it among corporations or municipalities, is somewhat like a marriage.  Both partners should know the others's [sic] strengths and weaknesses before consummating the union. 

Many residents of North Pelham and Pelham fear the proposed merger of the two villages and believe it will end up on the rocks due to lack of information.  They attribute this dearth of knowledge to their respective board of trustees.

The voters will cast ballots on Jan. 30 to decide the issue.  Many have said the decision will not be an easy one.

IN PROPOSING the merger, the trustees presented the voters with a projected savings and an outline of the new 'Village of Pelham' but did not provide a detailed plan for accomplishing the merger. 

While stating their [sic] support of the merger, the residents asked why no detailed plan was made.  A North Pelham resident said 'in many ways, this is more serious than a marriage.  If this doesn't work out, we can't dissolve it.'

Village of Pelham Trustee Frank J. Milon said, 'I believe we've provided sufficient information.'  North Pelham trustee Albert Zuzulo added 'they trust us to run the village, why can't they trust us now.'

Questions linger and confusion is growing despite two public hearings on the issue.  Characterizing the trustees' answers as 'skimpy' and 'lacking in particulars' one Pelham resident said.  'I still don't know if I'm winning or losing with this thing.'

The trustees said the new board, to be elected in March and installed in June, would be responsible for the actual consolidation process.  Any decision made by the present trustees, they said, would not be binding to the new board.

This means if the present trustees decide to locate the combined village office in the present Village of Pelham building on Sparks Avenue, the decision could be easily reversed by the incoming board.

RESIDENTS called on the trustees to postpone the vote until they could get more information to make a decision.  The trustees said this would be impractical. 

Under state law, the referendum must be held by the end of January for the merger to take effect in June of this year, the trustees said. 

They said a delay would mean losing the anticipated $250,000 savings for the 1975-76 fiscal year and the opportunity to merge while vacancies exist. 

The trustees calculated with consolidated municipal services would be able to save the $250,000 through the elimination of 12 employe [sic] positions.  They said the eliminations would be the result of 'present vacancies' and 'already announced retirement,' not by lay-offs.

A major portion of the projected savings would come from consolidation of the police departments, the trustees said.  Residents have questioned the trustees on this matter several times.

The residents want assurance that the quality of police protection they now enjoy would be maintained.  Several Pelham residents wondered if they were getting a bigger crime problem by merging with North Pelham. 

NEITHER of the police chiefs has been consulted concerning the merger, it was learned.  The chiefs noted concerns about the seniority listing of officers in a combined department; coordination of uniforms and equipment, and charting of new patrol sectors. 

None of the trustees' figures included the costs of equipping the combined department with new uniforms, shields or repainting of police equipment, one resident pointed out.

He also wanted to know how a new chief would be chosen and if the combined department would have police officers paid according to their respective contracts.  Pelham policemen have a higher starting salary under present contracts. 

Zoning and tax assessments also were brought up at the hearings by residents concerned that conflicts might exist between the two villages. 

Pelham has a stricter zoning code, according to the residents.  They wanted to know if their regulations would be maintained. 

The trustees said the conflicts would be settled by adopting the stricter regulation of the two.  This question is still a concern since the present trustees cannot dictated policy to the in-coming board. 

One resident said the basis of computing tax assessments in the two villages were [sic] different and asked if any correction of the situation would be effected.  Tax assessments, the trustees said, was a town function, not theirs. 

Under state law, the First Fire District would become part of the combined village.  The trustees said there would be no change in the service or organization of the fire department.

There might be a conflict in the future because the present board of fire commissioners can be replaced by the new board if it so desires.

The one humorous note concerning the merger is the choosing of a new name for the village.  The trustees are referring to the combined village as the 'Village of Pelham.'  Perhaps popular support of an alternative title would change their minds."

Source:  Asendio, James, 2 Villages Near Decision on Merger, The Herald Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jan. 22, 1975, p. 9, cols. 1-7. 

"Weigh merger

CONSOLIDATION of the Tarrytowns, unmentionable here for decades, may be an idea worthy of resurrection at this time. 

Voters this week overwhelmingly approved a proposition to consolidate the villages of North Pelham and Pelham into a single community.  Such a development was as unlikely there over the years as in the Tarrytowns.

But in times like these, when economic considerations have taken on heightened importance, the implications of maintaining virtually duplicate municipal functions may be examined with a bit more objectivity than heretofore. 

Indeed in the Pelham communities, where passions and political considerations run as deeply as here, the vote was 1,519 in favor of consolidation and only 417 against as 55 percent of the electorate went to the polls.  It was an impressive performance. 

NO DOUBT the time has come for another look-see in the Tarrytowns."

Source:  Weigh Merger, The Daily News [Tarrytown, NY], Feb. 1, 1975, p. A6, cols. 1-2. 

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Evolution of the Various Villages and the Town of Pelham: A Summary

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A member of the "Remembering North Pelham" Facebook group has asked about how the Town of Pelham and the two Villages within the Town came to be, what services they provide, why there once were a Town and three villages and why there now are two villages and a Town.  The history of the evolution of the various settlements, villages and the Town is quite fascinating and is the subject of today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.

Evolution of the Manor of Pelham in the 17th and Early 18th Centuries

After Thomas Pell acquired a vast acreage from local Native Americans on June 27, 1654, the area came to be known as the Manor of Pelham.  Very roughly speaking, the area encompassed today's Westchester Square in the Bronx with nearby City Island and today's Pelham Bay Park to Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Pelham, New Rochelle, and more.

Shortly after acquiring the vast swath of land encompassing more than 50,000 acres, Pell installed settlers in the area near today's Westchester Square.  The settlement became known as West Chester by the English settlers and Oostdorp by the Dutch in New Amsterdam.  A little more than a decade later, on June 24, 1666, Pell sold a vast swath of his land to the original ten families who established the settlement of Eastchester which encompassed a portion of today's Pelham Bay Park, the City of Mount Vernon, and the Town of Eastchester.

There is evidence that Thomas Pell permitted a handful of settlers to live on the remainder of his lands before his death in late September, 1669.  For the most part, however, his remaining lands remained virtually uninhabited at the time of his death.  A year after Thomas Pell's death, his nephew, John Pell, arrived from England and took control of the lands and property Thomas Pell had bequeathed to him.  

On September 20, 1689, John Pell and his wife, Rachel Pinckney Pell, sold off another vast swath of the lands originally acquired by Thomas Pell.  They sold roughly 6,000 acres of land (and donated another 100 acres to be used as a church property) to Jacob Leisler for the benefit of Huguenot settlers who founded today's City of New Rochelle.  This sale left John Pell with lands including much of today's Pelham Bay Park, City Island and various other nearby islands, and the lands that comprise today's Town of Pelham.  

Slow Population Growth and Creation of the Town of Pelham by State Statute

As the Pell family grew and descendants of John and Rachel Pell multiplied, various bequests by Pell family members to their offspring over time meant that during the 18th century, the Manor of Pelham was owned by relatively few members of the Pell family.  Indeed, for much of the 18th century, the Manor of Pelham was sparsely-populated principally by members of the Pell family with notable exceptions.  The 1790 U.S. Census, for example, showed only 199 residents in the entire Manor of Pelham consisting of 45 free white males sixteen years or older, 31 free white males under sixteen years old, 84 free white females, 1 "other free person" (likely an emancipated slave), and 38 slaves.  See Tue., Mar. 22, 2005:  The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham.

On March 7, 1788, the New York State legislature enacted a statute creating a number of towns in Westchester County including the Town of Pelham.  Thus, for the first time, the Town of Pelham existed and encompassed an area including much of today's Pelham Bay Park and all of City Island in the Bronx as well as all lands within today's Town of Pelham.

Rise of Railroads and Far-Flung Settlements Within the Town of Pelham

During the early 19th century, there likewise was very slow growth in the local population.  The 1840 U.S. Census shows the Town of Pelham with a total of 789 residents.  An interesting thing was beginning to happen, though.  

The Long Island Sound shore from Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck, also known as Pell's Point) was becoming the focal point of wealthy businessmen and financiers who began building country estates along the waterfront.  Many mansions and country estates sprang up including some of the finest in the region at the time such as:  "Hawkswood" on Pelham Neck, built by weathy lawyer Elisha W. King in about 1829; Bolton Priory built by the Rev. Robert Bolton and his family in 1838; "Bartow Mansion" (today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum), built by Robert Bartow before 1842; "Hunter's Mansion" on Hunter's Island built by John Hunter, a wealthy merchant who built his fortune in the auctioneering and commission business shortly after he acquired the island in 1812; and, many more mansions and estates.

The existence of so many massive and elegant mansions began to give the area a special cachet.  The area was becoming synonymous with wealth and prestige and was becoming known as a playground for the wealthy who wished to escape New York City.  Only a few decades later the second country club in the nation sprang up and attracted wealthy New York City and local residents.  Col. Delancey Kane began running his "four-in-hand" Tally-Ho coach on day trips from the Hotel Brunswick to Pelham Manor.  To many throughout the northeast, "Pelham Manor" was synonymous with wealth, the leisurely class, and country estates.

As the population of the Town of Pelham grew in the first half of the nineteenth century, City Island (in today's Bronx) became the population center of the Town where most of the residents of the Town lived.  Things began to change, however, when the railroads came to Pelham.

In December, 1848, the first track of the New York and New Haven Railroad was completed and trains began to run through the Town of Pelham.  Within the next three years, the suburban settlement of "Pelhamville" was laid out around the tiny new Pelhamville train station.  Lots were marketed and sold to working class residents of New York City as a suburban refuge from New York City.  Pelhamville began to grow as a populated settlement that was considered somewhat distant from City Island, still the main population center of the Town.

Pelhamville continued to expand for the next two decades when a second railroad line was opened through the Town.  The second line was the Harlem and Portchester Railroad (the so-called "Branch Line") that opened in November, 1873.  The Branch Line was laid closer to the Long Island Sound and included two stations within the Town of Pelham:  Bartow Station along today's Shore Road near the road to City Island; and Pelham Manor station.  The opening of the Branch Line prompted real estate speculation in the area as well as major efforts to develop new suburban subdivisions that came to be known as Bartow (or, Bartow-on-the-Sound near the stables along Shore Road in today's Pelham Bay Park) and Pelham Manor.

At about this time, local landowners and real estate speculators created a stock company known as the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.  It controlled much of the land from the Long Island Sound to today's Colonial Avenue and, in certain instances, beyond.  The Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association began by selling lots and building homes in an area along today's Esplanade and extending in the area toward Prospect Hill.

Thus, with the advent of the two railroad lines through Pelham, several additional population concentrations began to compete with the main population center on City Island.  In fact, over time Pelham residents on the mainland began to resent Pelham residents who lived on City Island because the more numerous City Island voters were always able to defeat proposals to raise and spend money to fund roadways and other improvements on the mainland.

The Town of Pelham in 1868 Before the Creation of Pelham Bay Park.

Source: Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity from

Actual Surveys By and Under the Direction of F.W.

Beers, Assisted By A.B. Prindle & Others, pg. 35 (NY, NY:

Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868) (Detail from Page 35 Map

Entitled "Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N.Y. (With) City Island").
NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

New York City Begins Efforts to Create Pelham Bay Park

During the 1880s, John Mullaly (a Bronx resident and a founder of the New York Parks Association) led an iniative to create a massive new park for the benefit of New York City residents encompassing the relatively pristine area on the mainland near City Island and including certain islands (like Hunters Island and the Twins).  Much of the area remained comparatively uninhabited, but all of it was within the boundaries of the Town of Pelham as set by the New York State legislature.  

The State Legislature appointed a commission to acquire large tracts of land to form a Bronx parks system that included lands that form today's Pelham Bay Park.  As one source has put it, in 1888, the land was purchased "for a total cost of $2,746,868 and changed the collection of estates into a unified park" consisting of more than 1,700 acres.

The handwriting, of course, was on the wall.  All knew that it was only a matter of time before New York City annexed the portion of the Town of Pelham that it had acquired.  Sure enough, in the mid-1890s New York City annexed the entire area (including the mainland portion, Hunters Island, City Island, and other nearby islands).  With the stroke of a pen, the Town of Pelham had been cut down to an area essentially the same as today's Town of Pelham.

1905 Map of Pelham Bay Park.

Source:  Office of the President of the Borough of the Bronx

Topographical Bureau, Topographical

Survey Sheets of the Borough of the Bronx Easterly of the Bronx

River, Sheet 29 "Map of OPelham Bay Park City of New York Forming

Sheet 29 of the Topographcial Atlas of the Territory East of the Bronx River" (1905)

(Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).
NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

The Rise of Three Villages within the Town of Pelham

In the late 19th century, New York State passed legislation that made it easier and more beneficial for local population concentrations to create and administer the village form of government.  At the time, Pelham had population concentrations on City Island, at Bartow-on-the-Sound on the mainland near City Island, at Prospect Hill and along the Esplanade and surrounding areas, and in Pelhamville.

The residents near Prospect Hill and along the Esplanade were a little better organized than other residents of the Town.  Beginning in 1881, they had created a "club" known as the "Pelham Manor Protective Club."  (For more about the Pelham Manor Protective Club, see Thu., Jan. 21, 2010:  Another Brief Account of the January 1, 1883 Annual Meeting of the Pelham Manor Protective Club and the links to additional postings set forth therein.)  For an entire decade, virtually all residents of the area paid dues to the Club which then used the monies to fund basic municipal services such as security personnel, lamp lighters, snow plowing, purchase of rudimentary fire-fighting equipment and the like.  In 1891, the Pelham Manor Protective Club and local residents backed an effort to incorporate much of the area within the Town extending from Colonial Avenue to the Long Island Sound down to the park lands owned by New York City (today's New York City boundary line) as the "Village of Pelham Manor."  Not all of the area was included, however.  There remained unincorporated land that was within the area described above (and, thus, was within the Town of Pelham) but that was not included within the Village of Pelham Manor.  (Slowly such unincorporated property was eventually incorporated into the Village.)  The Village provided its residents with police, fire, sanitation, and street department services among other services.

In the early 1890s, a few residents of the area we know today as Pelham Heights began an initiative to develop large tracts of land in the area and sell the lands for the development of large, single family homes.  A man named Benjamin Fairchild, who later became a United States Congressman representing the district, was a principal force behind this initiative.  Despite the fact that there were only sixteen residents, in 1896, the residents succeeded in the incorporation of the area as the "Village of Pelham."  As an interesting aside, when the village was incorporated by a special act of the State Legislature it had so few residents that by law, if it had been required to fill all elected positions as well as all the seats on its Board of Health, the little Village would have had more offices for elected officials than it had voters.  See  Fri., Sep. 28, 2007:  When Incorporated, The Original Village of Pelham Needed More Elected Officials Than it Had Voters.  This original Village of Pelham (which we know today as Pelham Heights or The Heights) was bounded by the New Rochelle line, the New Haven Railroad, the Hutchinson River and the southern edge of Colonial Avenue, all of which roadway lay entirely within the Village.  The tiny village maintained its own paid police department and paid street department.  It received fire protection from Fire District No. 1 of the Town of Pelham.

Residents of Pelhamville were shocked and incensed by the special act of the State Legislature that created the "Village of Pelham."  They believed that Pelhamville was entitled to incorporate under the name "Village of Pelham."  I have written about this situation before.  See Tue., Jul. 01, 2014:  Why Do We Call It the Village of Pelham Instead of Pelhamville? Because We Were Duped!  See also Fri., Apr. 15, 2005: How Pelhamville "Lost" Its Name!  The residents promptly arranged incorporation of the settlement of Pelhamville as the "Village of North Pelham" the same year (effective on August 29, 1896).  The boundaries were the New Haven Railroad, the Hutchinson River and the New Rochelle line.  The village maintained its own paid police department and paid street department and utilized the incineration plant maintained by the Village of Pelham Manor to dispose of its garbage.  Fire protection was provided by Fire District No. 1 of the Town of Pelham (which covered both the Village of Pelham (the Heights) and the Village of North Pelham.  

As an aside, the reason that the Village of Pelham (the Heights) and the Village of North Pelham were served by a Fire District rather than Village Fire Departments is because at the time organized firefighting was begun in the area, neither of the two areas had yet incorporated as villages.  Thus, local residents had to petition the Town of Pelham to create a Fire District to serve them.  In contrast, the Village of Pelham Manor was incorporated in 1891 and, by state law, was able to create a Village Fire Department after its incorporation without petitioning the Town to form a fire district.  

Map of Pelhamville Published in 1868.

Source: Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual

Surveys By and Under the Direction of F.W. Beers, Assisted By

A.B. Prindle & Others, pg. 36 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868)

(Detail from Page 36 Map Entitled "Town of New Rochelle,

Westchester Co., N.Y. (With) Pelhamville).
NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Consolidation of the Village of Pelham and the Village of North Pelham

Given the tiny size of the Village of Pelham (the Heights) and the fact that it already "shared" fire protection services with the Village of North Pelham in the sense that both were served by Fire District No. 1 of the Town of Pelham, during the early 1970s a movement arose to consolidate the two villages.  The initiative was quite controversial and was bitterly fought, but voters eventually supported the measure.  The Village of Pelham (the Heights) and the Village of North Pelham consolidated into a single village named the "Village of Pelham" effective June 1, 1975.  After 79 years, it could be said, the settlement of Pelhamville had prevailed and was entitled to use the name "Village of Pelham" for the first time, although it had to share the name with its neighbors in the Heights.

Consolidation Rumblings

Since 1975 there have been rumblings of consolidation of the Village of Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor on several occasions.  Most recently, in 2004, a debate sprang up in the local press over the wisdom of any such consolidation.  The debate reached the "ears" of the New York Times which published an article about the developments in Pelham.  See Rubenstein, Carin, Government; When Are Two Villages Better Than One?, N.Y. Times, Oct. 24, 2004, PART 1 and PART 2.  

From the 1920s to the present, residents of Pelham have debated the pros and cons of consolidating various of the villages. Others have been debating for decades whether to consolidate or annex into greater New York City various of the suburban governmental units including the entire Town of Pelham. Others have proposed consolidating most of Westchester's towns and cities into a single city named "Westchester City."  See Wed., May 05, 2010:  Pelham Opposed Plan by Lawmakers to Consolidate Westchester Towns Into "Westchester City."  Interestingly, it seems that such considerations were being proposed as early as 1824 -- nearly 200 years ago.  See Thu., May 06, 2010:  Consolidation Involving Pelham Has Been Discussed Since at Least 1824.

Services Performed Today by the Town of Pelham as Opposed to the Villages

The Town of Pelham is a creature of statute.  It was created by the New York State Legislature.  By law the Town is required to provide basic services that are not provided at the Village level including certain services that the Villages choose to give up or to refrain from providing. Thus, the Town of Pelham is responsible for a host of services including: the Town criminal and civil court system; the Town Constable program for prisoner transport and court protection; property tax assessment services; tax collection services for Westchester County, the Pelham Union Free School District, both Villages, and the Town; ambulance and emergency medical fly car services; the Town Library; townwide recreation programs; recreational field maintenance; townwide senior programs; supervision of town-wide elections and election primaries; Registrar of Vital Statistics services; marriage licenses; hunting and fishing licenses; and much more.

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