In a vote that attracted one of the village's largest turnouts ever, people in Whitesboro voted overwhelmingly against dissolving into neighboring Whitestown. Our Sarah Blazonis was at the village offices as voters cast their ballots and tells us why many people said they voted against the measure.

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WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- Nearly 1,000 voters filed into Whitesboro's municipal office throughout the day on Tuesday and when ballots were counted, the message was clear: The measure to dissolve the village into Whitestown was shot down, 709 to 286. That's nearly two and a half times the average voter turnout.

"They're doing this without full knowledge of whether we would really be saving money or not and I think that they should've had a plan done, a study done," said Whitesboro resident and Oneida County Clerk Sandra DePerno.

A new law passed in March made it easier for residents to dissolve if they feel certain levels of government are unnecessary. As a result, the signatures of just 290 of the village's 2,400 voters were needed to bring it to a vote.

Signs urging residents to vote yes promise they can save $2.7 million if Whitesboro dissolves, but those who voted against the measure say there's just not enough information about how that would happen or how their services would be affected.

"Are we going to have fire coverage? There's too many facts that we don't know," said resident Robert Saunders.

Because no study was done to see if dissolution would actually save the village money, some people said they'd feel safer if officials took other cost-saving steps.

"They've been talking for years and years about consolidation and I think it's time that they took the steps to make that possible," said resident Bill McLaughlin.

Leaders say now that the dissolution vote is behind them, that's exactly what they plan to discuss with New York Mills officials.

"We just work harder than ever and fight really hard to make this police consolidation work. There's always been talks and it could be an actual reality," said Mayor Brenda Gilberti.

"We've really been kind of distracted by this dissolution so we haven't been able to implement any of our great plans, but we are really looking forward to today being over, having a 'no' vote," said village trustee Lisa Atanasoff.

Those against the measure will soon have another reason to celebrate: The 'no' vote ensures Whitesboro will live to celebrate its bicentennial in 2013.