Section 750. Definitions

As  used in this article, the following terms
  shall have the following meanings:
    1. "Component local government entity" shall mean a  local  government
  entity  that,  as  a  result of successful consolidation proceedings, is
  combined into a consolidated local government entity.
    2. "Consolidation" shall mean either (a) the  combination  of  two  or
  more  local  government  entities  resulting  in  the termination of the
  existence of each of the entities to be consolidated and the creation of
  a new entity which assumes  jurisdiction  over  all  of  the  terminated
  entities,  or  (b)  the  combination  of  two  or  more local government
  entities resulting in the termination of the existence of all but one of
  the entities which shall absorb the terminated entity or entities.
    3.  "Consolidated  local  government  entity"  shall  mean   a   local
  government  entity  resulting  from successful consolidation proceedings
  conducted pursuant to this article.
    4. "Contiguous" shall mean when a portion of a town or  village  abuts
  the  boundary  of  another  town or village, including a town or village
  separated from the exact boundary  of  another  town  or  village  by  a
  street,  road,  railroad,  highway, river or other natural or artificial
  stream or body of water.
    5. "Dissolution" shall mean the termination  of  the  existence  of  a
  local government entity.
    6.  "Dissolution  plan"  shall  mean  a written document that contains
  terms and information regarding the dissolution of  a  local  government
  entity  and  that  has  been  finalized  and  approved  by such entity's
  governing body pursuant to this article.
    7. "Elector" shall mean a registered voter of this state registered to
  vote  in  the  local  government  entity  subject  to  consolidation  or
  dissolution proceedings conducted pursuant to this article.
    8.  "Elector  initiated  consolidation  plan"  shall  mean  a  written
  document that contains terms and information regarding the consolidation
  of two or more local government entities, a majority of  whose  electors
  have  voted  to consolidate, and that has been finalized and approved by
  the governing body or bodies of such  entities  or  a  judicial  hearing
  officer pursuant to this article.
    9.  "Elector initiated dissolution plan" shall mean a written document
  that contains terms and information regarding the dissolution of a local
  government entity, a majority of whose electors have voted to  dissolve,
  that  has been finalized and approved by such entity's governing body or
  a judicial hearing officer pursuant to this article.
    10. "Governing  body"  shall  mean  the  body  in  which  the  general
  legislative,  governmental  and/or  public  powers of a local government
  entity are vested and by authority of which  the  official  business  of
  such entity is conducted.
    11.  "Initiative"  shall  mean the filing of the petition containing a
  proposal for a referendum to be placed on the ballot for an election.
    12. "Joint consolidation agreement" shall mean a written document that
  contains terms and information regarding the  consolidation  of  two  or
  more  local government entities and that has been finalized and approved
  by the governing body or  bodies  of  such  entities  pursuant  to  this
  article.
    13.  "Local government entity" or "entity" shall mean a town, village,
  district, special improvement district or  other  improvement  district,
  including,  but  not  limited  to, special districts created pursuant to
  articles eleven, twelve, twelve-A or thirteen of the town  law,  library
  districts, and other districts created by law; provided, however, that a
  local  government  entity  shall  not  include  school  districts,  city

  districts or special purpose districts created by counties under  county
  law.
    14.  "Proposed  dissolution  plan"  shall mean a written document that
  contains terms and information regarding  the  dissolution  of  a  local
  government entity, and that has been proposed, but not yet finalized and
  approved, by such entity's governing body pursuant to this article.
    15.  "Proposed  elector  initiated  consolidation  plan"  shall mean a
  written document that  contains  terms  and  information  regarding  the
  consolidation  of  two  or more local government entities, a majority of
  whose respective electors have voted to consolidate such entities,  that
  has  been proposed, but not yet finalized and approved, by the governing
  body or bodies of such entities pursuant to this article.
    16. "Proposed elector initiated dissolution plan" shall mean a written
  document that contains terms and information regarding  the  dissolution
  of a local government entity, a majority of whose electors have voted to
  dissolve  such entity, and that has been proposed, but not yet finalized
  and approved, by such entity's governing body pursuant to this article.
    17. "Proposed joint consolidation  agreement"  shall  mean  a  written
  document that contains terms and information regarding the consolidation
  of two or more local government entities and that has been proposed, but
  not  yet  finalized  and  approved,  by such entities' governing body or
  bodies pursuant to this article.
    18. "Referendum" shall mean a vote seeking approval by a  majority  of
  electors  of  a local government entity or entities voting on a question
  of consolidation or dissolution placed on the ballot by initiative.
    * NB Effective March 21, 2010