Morgan McMahon ’25 is one of 26 student fellows conducting research with a community-based organization in upstate New York this summer as a part of the Upstate Institute Summer Field School.
With a population of about 2,000, and closer to 5,000 when Colgate is in session, the village of Hamilton is a unique municipality. This summer, I have had the privilege to work as a Field School Fellow within the village office and improve my understanding of how municipal government operates. The village upholds its mission “to conscientiously provide excellence in leadership and extraordinary services to the community in a compassionate, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner” and serves its residents in various capacities that include providing utility services and building permits, issuing birth and death certificates, planning special events, and managing the municipal airport/airpark.
I have found through my experience that village residents have limited knowledge about how the village provides so many services — and about the extensive list of personnel that are involved in helping the village run smoothly. The village elects a mayor and four trustees, who are responsible for leading the village. Each of these positions have two-year terms. Additionally, the village maintains 10 committees and commissions, all dedicated to various facets of village life, such as the planning board, zoning board of appeals, airport/airpark commission, and the municipal utilities commission. The committees are composed of community volunteers, as well as a trustee liaison, and typically meet once a month or as needed. At these meetings, a public hearing is often conducted, allowing for village residents to comment on relevant issues or raise any concerns to the respective board members.
Hamilton maintains many departments that are pivotal to the community. The village owns its own electric power distribution company and supplies electricity to all village residents and establishments, including Colgate. The wastewater treatment plant, located in the village, is a large facility designed to treat all sewage and is also serviced throughout the village. Natural gas and water are also a part of the village’s utilities. The Hamilton Police Department and Hamilton Fire Department keep the village and its residents safe. The codes enforcement office deals with all building permits, renovations, and demolitions, as all buildings and properties must be regulated under New York State code and all local laws.
This summer, I have worked closely with the office staff to expand my knowledge of local government. I have assisted with the tax collection process, organized files, digitized employee portfolios, attended meetings, stuffed utility bills, and entered meter reads, among other things. All the tasks I completed during my time reflect how much really goes in to running a village, and I’m only one person! I was very glad I was able to help the office tackle what was most necessary and help them stay on top of things.
As I am a political science major, many of the courses we take are focused on federal and state government systems. In my work with the village this summer, I was able to fully understand the role of local government. Apart from the government experience and soaking in tons of information, my biggest takeaways from this experience were the people I was blessed to meet and the relationships I was able to form with them. All the stories and laughs made me feel as though I was working with my second family. Without a doubt, I look up to them in many ways, and they will continue to serve as my mentors for years to come. This was my first summer as a Field School Fellow, and I am looking forward to the years to come.