Section 701. Definitions

As used in this article the following terms shall
  mean or include:
    1.  "Annexation."  An  alteration of the boundaries of a county, city,
  town or village which has the effect of adding  territory  to  it.  Such
  term  shall  not  include the creation or dissolution of a county, city,
  town or village, or the consolidation of two or more  counties,  two  or
  more cities, two or more towns or two or more villages, respectively, or
  the  diminution  of the area of a village pursuant to section 18-1804 of
  the village law.
    2. "Governing board." The board of  supervisors,  board  of  aldermen,
  common  council,  council,  commission, town board, board of trustees or
  other elective board or body of a  local  government  now  or  hereafter
  vested  by  state  statute,  charter  or  other law with jurisdiction to
  initiate and enact  ordinances  or  local  laws,  whether  or  not  such
  ordinances  or  local laws require the approval of any other official or
  body to become effective.
    3. "Local government." A city, a town, a  village,  or  a  county  not
  wholly  included  within  a city where a boundary of the county would be
  affected by a proposed annexation of territory.