We did it! With the generous support of all of you
we have reached our fundraising goal! Our Grand Finale was a smashing
success. Our final payment to our lawyer is in the mail, and we are
free and clear of our obligations as Save East Greenbush.
We are very grateful to all the individuals and businesses who have
donated their time, money, and goods and services, not only for this
most recent silent auction and event but throughout the course of our
campaign, to save our town from a casino. We truly banded together as
a community and have much to show for it. We cannot thank you enough
for being the town we all fought so hard to save.
We have some loose ends to tie up (a few of you still need to pick
up your silent auction items!), but then we will be able to close the
books on this chapter in our Town's history. At the end of April we
will be shutting down the Facebook page and the website and officially
closing out Save East Greenbush, Inc. We encourage everyone to stay
involved! Please go to Town Board meetings. Show up to the County
Legislature. Stay informed and connected. In fact, the next East
Greenbush Town Board meeting is on April 20 at 7 PM. We'll see you
there.
Warmly,
Your Friends and Neighbors of Save East Greenbush
If you go to the EG Truth blog's LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, there is an article from Rick Matters about the sewer fee increases. He writes about how the town board's proposal is "backwards" because they're using user-fee revenue, instead of the tax levy revenue, to kick in more money for the huge capital- improvement debt we're facing associated with our new, multi-million dollar sewerage treatment plant while failing to properly adjust user fees so that they are used SOLELY for maintenance & operating expenses. Finally, someone besides the town board is weighing in on this. What I don't like about the town board's proposal is that users of the sewer system get banged 3xs for the cost of it, once for capital debt repayment by increasing user fees, which is, according to Mr. Matters, improper, again for the costs associated with maintaining and operating the plant, and then yet AGAIN when they raise the tax levy next year. In plain English, users of the public sewer system are paying through the nose but is it right and is it fair to saddle users with this debt repayment plan for the next 35-40 years?
ReplyDeleteThe question is why is capital improvement debt "properly" paid through the real property tax levy? What's wrong with users of the system paying the whole nut for the cost of it? Why should non-users have to pay anything towards something they don't use?
ReplyDelete3/30 @ 8:54 p.m. I think that no, it isn't right because they're trying to bill me, as a user of the sewer system, TWICE for the loan repayment by increasing my FEES, which are just supposed to be charged for the cost of operating and maintaining the plant, and also my taxes. It's wrong to FEE me for TAXABLE costs PLUS raise my taxes. That's called double-billing! I feel as though I'm being hit up twice just because I'm a user. I say charge me once for FEES related to the true cost of running the plant and once for my fair share of taxes. That's the way to go for the next 40 years.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Matters didn't take the money spend on paid ad and put it towards Save East Greenbush. The casiNO disaster was partially due to them voting YES to a casiNO not once but TWICE. Was Matters at the presentation for the rate increase? Just wondering if he asked questions or gave his opinion to the board. I would bet septic tank owners would have something to say about his tax increase.
ReplyDeleteToo bad Mary Ann Matters didn't vote to amend the last two Keith Langley budgets to at least go to the state tax cap. This would have increased the tax levy over the last two years, which could have gone towards paying the construction and debt service of the Sewage Treatment Plant. Mary Ann Matters had the chance to do something and deliberately chose to do nothing. Let's be clear on that!!
ReplyDelete10:32 a.m. Let's be clear on this, too, regarding the last two Keith Langley budgets, Mary Ann Matters did not take office until January 2014, so she had no power in 2013 to amend the 2014 budget. By the middle of 2014, Langley, Malone, and Mangold were working together, so she had no support to amend the 2015 budget. By the end of 2015, Malone was on his way out. He said he would agree to amend the budget but DiMartino stated publicly that she would not, in fact, ever agree to raise taxes, so it will be interesting to see if she will agree to raise fees.
Delete12:22PM
DeleteYes, let's be clear. Mary Ann Matters took office in January, 2014. She could have had the opportunity to at least propose amendments to the last two Langley Budgets whether they were enacted or not, if she chose to do so; on the Langley Budget for 2015, enacted in the fall of 2014 and the Langley Budget for this year (2016). enacted in the fall of 2015. I'm getting a little bit tired of CP Matters saying she was clueless about what was going on. That's been her excuse on many issues, most notably the Casino debacle, when she voted TWICE in favor of the casino before she was against it.
Let's also recognize that both Matters (Rick and Mary Ann) refused to vote for any increase in the tax levy on multiple occasions when they had the opportunity as member of the Town Board, to provide for funding through the tax levy for the construction and debt payments for the WWTP.
I'm looking forward to hearing both Matters comments on this very important issue at the April 13th public hearing. They both have a lot of explaining to do.
It's good to have another point of view on the sewer fee increase and to hear from Rick again. If he paid to put this information in the paper, we should read it and think about it. I am someone who would be hit up three times for the cost of the plant upgrade, which looks and feels unfair to me. Thanks, Rick, for reaching out. Stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteIf they are raising sewer fees to pay for capital infrastructure debt, could they also raise water fees for the same purpose? Could users get hit up there, too? It seems like they're setting a bad precedent for using fees (in addition to taxes) to pay for capital debt.
ReplyDeleteI think Jack Conway has said that the Board has to take an incremental approach to fix the fiscal support structure for sewer/water services. I believe that the necessity to involve user fees for capital expense stems from the need for immediate cash which cannot wait for the next tax levy. This could have been addressed in the past, but the previous administration did not want to raise taxes because of re-election fears. We've got a financing hodge-podge which needs to be disassembled and reassembled fairly. It's difficult. If there had been competence instead of avoidance in past administrations, we would probably not be in this pickle.
ReplyDeleteA Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) would enable the town to apply for a short-term, low interest loan to cover the looming $700,000 debt payment in the fall. The loan would be paid back in full next year when the taxes are properly and appropriately raised. The TAN was rejected by the majority of the board in favor of raising user fees to pay for capital debt, which Rick says is improper. User fees should be used for maintenance and operation costs ONLY. Real property taxes are used to pay capital debt. As Rick said, there is a reason and a purpose for split-revenue funding. Can't wait to read part 2 of his article next week.
DeleteA tax anticipation note is like using one credit card to pay off another credit card. This is bad practice in personal finance and it is a terrible practice to use when you are spending taxpayer money.
DeleteBy the way, the "authority" Rick Matters cites in his paid Advertiser advertisement, the "Center for American Progress Action Fund" is closely associated with the "Center for American Progress" founded by Hillary and Bill Clinton political operative, John Podesta. The "Center for American Progress" has been rightly criticized for its refusal to disclose the identity of its financial contributors over a multi-year period.
Not the sort of group, most people would want to "embrace."
Feel free to look it up.
12:38 PM-
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that Mary Ann Matters has committed to raising taxes by whatever amount it takes to pay off the Tax Anticipation note, plus interest? Throughout the Matters combined years on the Town Council, they have refused to vote for any tax increases. In fact Rick Matters was known for voting No on all tax increases and Yes on all fee increases.
I'd like to hear Mary Ann Matters publicly commit herself to voting for the tax increases (estimated to be at just under 10%) to pay off the TAN.
I don't know about you but I am NOT in favor of increased taxes. Jack said several times prior to taking office that "there was plenty of money" work with what you haveand stop asking the tax payers to foot the bill for your vision
ReplyDeleteTo Councilor Grant, I recall you saying at a town board meeting that it's all about the "process." You said if people are included in the process, and they understand it, they may not like it, but they will generally accept the outcome. Did I get that right? There is a reason for everything, a reason for why operating and maintenance costs are paid only by user fees and capital infrastructure debt is payed through the property tax levy. So, please explain what went into the process of deciding to disregard those generally accepted methods of collecting money from customers?
ReplyDeleteMy questions are these, if General District user fees, for example, are being raised by 70%, what percentage of that money will go for capital improvement debt repayment and what percentage will go for the maintenance and operation costs of the plant? If M&O costs are higher some months due to heavier demands by the new plant, does that mean less of the debt will be paid than originally anticipated? How can the Comptroller budget for that?
ReplyDelete@2:21pm.
ReplyDeleteI believe Jack and Tina have effectively and publicly outlined the process behind the development of the WWTP fee increase proposal. The next important step in the process is the April 13th public hearing where taxpayers will have the opportunity to ask and have questions answered. It seems to me the process is working pretty well at this point. This is in refreshing contrast to the previous administration that decided to expand the WWTP without authorizing funds to pay for it.
@ 3:10 I have no problem with the rise in user fees and the water and sewer district tax. I'm refering to the general tax levy
Delete@ Anonymous 2:21, in fairness there is a public hearing on the rate increase on April 13th at 7:00pm. So, let's listen to what they have to say about the process and how much the public can be involved before we judge them. Shouldn't they have a chance first?
ReplyDeleteI'll be in attendance at the April 13th public hearing, but I'm learning in favor of Jack's proposal. We just elected Jack by an overwhelming vote. I also like Rick, but he is no longer on the TB because a Federal Judge prohibited from running from office.
ReplyDeleteDon't you all get it? It's being done this way, through user fees, because this administration doesn't want to be the one tagged for raising taxes 10%, which would amount to political suicide,for the mistakes of other lazy, incompetent administrations. So, they are billing us, not taxing us, for the $700,000 they need by September. Come January, there will also be a tax increase but it won't be as high because they're splitting the increase between user fees and the tax levy. And this is not a one year thing; the increase in user fees and taxes will be permanent until the debt is payed off. It's all smoke and mirrors but make no mistake about it, we're being fully charged for the bill, just in pieces instead of a chunk. They're just trying to make it seem less painful by splitting it up. Attacking the Matters is not the answer. Prior to Rick's article in today's paper, I haven't seen anything about this in the Advertiser. Thanks, Rick, for getting us thinking and talking.
ReplyDeleteYeah we get it allright ! Rick is running for office again and here come the attacks on JTT who have done a lot in 3 months to help clean up the mess .
Delete8:23 am. You hit the nail on the head. This is all about Rick Matters in campaign mode. It's going to be a long two years.
DeleteWhy can't you stay in the moment? Rick Matters has ALWAYS been an advocate for the residents and that clearly has NOT changed. He is NOT against JTT just because he has a different point of view. What is wrong with you people?
DeleteAttended the Regeneron Scoping meeting and did a little research.
ReplyDeleteDid you know---Regeneron Set to Regenerate by Adam Bruns
Regeneron has grown from 682 employees in 2007 to 2,000 as of earlier this year, including more than 1,300 employees in Tarrytown, N.Y., and nearly 600 at its industrial operations and product supply facility in Rensselaer. Another 700 jobs are on the way over the next few years.
“We are grateful to Gov. Cuomo and New York State for financial support that helps us to continue to expand,” Leonard Schleifer, CEO. According to the state, the company had also considered expanding outside New York before the State stepped in with $8.5 million in tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program and the Town of Mount Pleasant Industrial Development Agency offered additional incentives.
The Rensselaer project involves the construction of two facilities at Regeneron's East Greenbush location - a new 65,000-sq.-ft. building at 81 Columbia Turnpike that will add manufacturing capacity for Regeneron products for clinical trials and potential commercial sale, and an expansion of the company's facility at One CSC Way. The new project caps a period of rapid growth for Regeneron in East Greenbush. Empire State Development will assist the company in Rensselaer with $6.7 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.
"We are also currently expanding our production capacity in Rensselaer by approximately 50 percent by building a new production suite that will house two 10,000-liter bioreactors," the statement continued.—Source: Site Selection Magazine
A 98 acre campus between Red Mill Road and Third Avenue Extension--And we're getting an increase in our water and sewer taxes? Is there a benefit to the town of East Greenbush?
Startup New York...
DeleteI'm not for or against the expansion of Regeneron quite yet but I do have some questions/concerns. Their existing campus hasn't seemed to benefit the town of East Greenbush has it? On the other harm it hasn't harmed us but will it? Do big pharmaceutical companies tend to have pollution near by? Do they reside in run down towns? I just picture the lower end of EG becoming part of the port with more factories (that UGLY abandoned house you see once passing the smelly sewer plant that is now another sore site with the cleared out Regeneron construction parking lot doesn't help with my visions).
Delete6:18pm. It will be at least a year before the new Regeneron Campus is expected to be completed. Before it is approved for completion, it must undergo a lengthy and thorough process including environmental impact analyses, traffic studies and public hearings.
Delete8:06- that ugly abandoned house you see when you go past the Sewerage plant is owned by the former Chairman of the East Greenbush Republican Committee. As a result, no improvements were considered to be necessary by the prior administration. JTT should look into this and do something about it, if they are serious about making positive changes for Columbia Turnpike.
DeleteRick Matters--thank you for the letter in The Advertiser! It was informative and posed a different solution. The new administration claims to be open to public input so I am sure they appreciate yours. Thank you and I have to say, I am rather leaning towards Rick's suggestion but will need to attend the hearing on the 13th.
ReplyDeleteOn to Toni Murphy--what the heck is THAT about? Closing the Receiver of Tax Office early--due to a lack of funds and cutting her budget. PLEASE--maybe if she returned some of the stipends she took, the Town could put that towards the department's budget. And PLEASE--most of us in the private sector work 8 HOUR DAYS! It is called a FULL TIME JOB! 8:00-4:00 is NOTHING to be expected to work. Seriously--she is getting paid the same salary for working less hours...what's THAT about? In the private sector, we work MORE with LESS. She receives the same salary and cuts the hours-which are NORMAL full-time hours--because her budget was cut! That is preposterous! Now, if she doesn't have enough work to make it worthwhile to be open from 8:00--4:00, that is another thing in which case I applaud her for closing early due to lack of work available. Otherwise---YOU wanted that job and being open to the public from 8:00-4:00 is far from exhausting hours or overexertion of time. If you can't hire a part-timer for 1 hour per day, to cover lunch, or 30 minutes per day top cover lunch, than you should find someone who works in the private sector to teach you how to schedule hours. Toni--you wanted that job, you took unapproved stipends for that job, and NEVER returned a dime of it---work an 8 hour day. If you can't work 8 hours maybe you should consider resigning. If you don't have enough work to validate working 8 hours than maybe the salary should be adjusted DOWN.
Any budget cuts the Town Board can make I say AMEN to! We are being forced to pay more for water and a new WWTP that we did not need---cut away Town Board.
Getting back to the thread topic, I want to say a great big thank you to everyone involved in SAVEEASTGREENBUSH. You all are truly amazing. God bless everyone of you. I guess Kansas was a distant, far off place in someone's dream catcher.
ReplyDelete