Dollar Tree Inc., a chain of discount merchandise stores, is weighing whether to build a distribution center in Rensselaer County that would create 200 jobs.

On Monday, officials in Schodack confirmed that the town is one of two finalists for the facility, competing against Connecticut.



Planning Board Agenda

If you think it may be important to be informed about the proposed 675,000 square foot Dollar Tree / Liberty Distribution Center that is proposed for Schodack off of Exit 11, than you may wish to attend the Schodack Planning Board Hearing for it on Monday December 19^th at 7:00 pm in the Schodack Town Hall. Since it is a Hearing, this provides you and your neighbors the opportunity to ask questions and to pose any concerns that you may have. The Distribution Center is planned for additional growth to reach 1,000,000 square feet with 150 or so trucks arriving and departing each day. Dollar Tree is seeking permission from NYS to use tandem trucks on the NYS Thruway.

The meeting starts at 7pm and the Hearing begins at 7:15pm. (Agenda)

If you would like to catch up on media coverage from over the past couple weeks and read minutes of 2 Nov. Planning Board meetings on the Distribution Center proposal, please see the attachment.

You may be able to find some additional information thru the Town website at http://www.schodack.org/  See the Agenda here.

Please pass on this email and attachment to others whom you think it may interest.

Dollar Tree eyes Rensselaer County for distribution center  
The Business Review by Adam Sichko, Reporter Date: Monday, 
November 28, 2011, 3:00pm EST  The Business Review
Dollar Tree Inc., a chain of discount merchandise stores, is weighing whether to build a distribution center in Rensselaer County that would create 200 jobs.
On Monday, officials in Schodack confirmed that the town is one of two finalists for the facility, competing against Connecticut. Dollar Tree (Nasdaq: DLTR) could make a decision by the end of next month.
Schodack is offering a 106-acre site near exit 11E of Interstate 90, an area where routes 9, 20 and 150 cross paths. The plan, dubbed "Project Liberty," was first presented to the town just before Thanksgiving.
Dollar Tree intends to build a facility roughly 600,000 square feet in size, said Nadine Fuda, director of planning and zoning for Schodack.
"We're very happy they are interested. We need as many jobs as we can get these days," Fuda said.


A few years ago, the same site was unsuccessfully pitched to Cabela's Inc. (NYSE: CAB), which sells hunting, fishing and camping equipment.
The Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency is involved with the project. The IDA advertises the Schodack location on its website, noting that state tax credits are available.
Unemployment in Rensselaer County was 6.6 percent in October, down half a percent from the same time in 2010. Still, the rate is the third-highest in at least the last 20-plus years.
A call to Dollar Tree was not returned.
Dollar Tree, headquartered in Virginia, operates more than 4,300 stores in 48 U.S. states and five provinces in Canada. The company sells a variety of goods, all for $1.
Dollar Tree's net sales stood at $4.7 billion as of last month, the end of its third quarter—a 13 percent increase year-to-date.
Dollar Tree store may branch out
Discounter considers building distribution center in Schodack   Times Union Copyright 2011 Times Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By CHRIS CHURCHILL, Business writer  Published 09:46 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2011 http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Dollar-Tree-store-may-branch-out-2299502.php
Page 1 of 1
SCHODACK — The Dollar Tree chain of discount stores is eyeing the construction of a massive distribution center in Rensselaer County.
The 600,000-square-foot facility would be built near Exit 11 in Schodack and could employ as many as 200 workers, said Robert Pasinella, the county's director of economic development and planning.
The Schodack site is one of three Dollar Tree is considering for a Northeast distribution center, said Schodack Town Supervisor Dennis Dowds. The others are in the Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., areas.
"We want to make sure that our site presents itself as the best one," Pasinella said.
The down economy has been brutal to many retailers, but discount chains like Dollar Tree and Dollar General have been thriving as shoppers seek to cut expenses.
Dollar Tree earlier this month reported third quarter sales of $11.6 billion, up 11.9 percent from the prior year.
The company, which did not return a call for comment late Monday, opened 98 stores just during the year's third quarter and now has more than 4,300 North American locations.
Pasinella said Dollar Tree representatives last week presented the Schodack proposal to town officials, and the company could make a decision on whether to build in Rensselaer County by the end of the year.   Reach Chris Churchill at 454-5442 or cchurchill@timesunion.com. 
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Dollar-Tree-store-may-branch-out-2299502.php#ixzz1gRgqQxnX
The Business Review by Adam Sichko, Reporter
Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 7:01am EST - Last Modified: Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 7:52am EST
Adam Sichko Reporter - The Business Review
Dollar Tree    Dollar Tree Latest from The Business Journals Dollar General expands locallyDollar Tree considers building M distribution center in Rensselaer CountyDollar Tree eyes Rensselaer County for distribution center Follow this company Inc., a chain of discount stores, could invest as much as $60 million opening a potential distribution center in Rensselaer County, according to local developers.
Dollar Tree (Nasdaq: DLTR) is deciding whether to build the facility in the town of Schodack, or at an alternative site in Connecticut, said Robert Pasinella. He is executive director of the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency    Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency Latest from The Business Journals Dollar Tree considers building M distribution center in Rensselaer CountyDollar Tree eyes Rensselaer County for distribution centerAlbany area developers, companies flood council with cash pleas Follow this company , which is involved in recruiting the company.
Dollar Tree is looking to buy a 106-acre site in Schodack, Pasinella said on Monday. The facility would have 200 jobs (see other coverage here).
The distribution center, at roughly 600,000 square feet, could cost upwards of $40 million or $45 million, Pasinella said. Equipment would cost an extra $10 million to $15 million, he said.
Dollar Tree would be eligible for county or IDA discounts on sales taxes for the equipment buy, as well as breaks on its property taxes.
Pasinella said he expects Dollar Tree to make a decision by the end of next month.
"We're still in early discussions, but they're very aggressive in their timetable," Pasinella said. "It would be a fantastic deal."  Sichko covers state government, manufacturing, law and sports business.
TU Places and Spaces  Real estate, development, landscape and retail in New York's Capital Region  By Chris Churchill:   

Massive distribution center eyed for Schodack  November 30, 2011 at 11:06 am by Chris Churchill, staff writer http://blog.timesunion.com/realestate/massive-distribution-center-eyed-for-schodack/10715/
The Dollar Tree chain of discount stores is eyeing the construction of a massive distribution center in Rensselaer County.
The 600,000-square-foot facility would be built near Exit 11 in Schodack and could employ as many as 200 workers, said Robert Pasinella, the county’s director of economic development and planning.
The Schodack site is one of three Dollar Tree is considering for a Northeast distribution center, said Schodack Town Supervisor Dennis Dowds. The others are in the Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., areas.
“We want to make sure that our site presents itself as the best one,” Pasinella said.
The down economy has been brutal to many retailers, but discount chains like Dollar Tree and Dollar General have been thriving as shoppers seek to cut expenses.
Dollar Tree earlier this month reported third quarter sales of $11.6 billion, up 11.9 percent from the prior year.
The company, which did not return a call for comment late Monday, opened 98 stores just during the year’s third quarter and now has more than 4,300 North American locations.
Pasinella said Dollar Tree representatives last week presented the Schodack proposal to town officials, and the company could make a decision on whether to build in Rensselaer County by the end of the year.
Adam Sichko of The Business Review first reported this story. Click here for his story. (Photo, of a Dollar Tree in Clifton Park, by Cindy Schultz, TU)
Posted in Commercial real estate, Development, On the agenda, Schodack | 18 Comments
1.    Great. Another truck stop, just what Schodack needs. Pasinella the pied piper for massive trucks wants them all to stop in Schodack. The only development projects he has brought to our town is one truck stop or fuel depot for trucks after another. We get all the diesel fog, crime, and traffic while he awards them big tax breaks so tax income is limited. So the impact on current taxpayers, money wise and environmental wise, is huge but the benefits if any are minimal. What a deal. A retail or office complex at this site that would generate real tax income (unless they give away the ranch in tax incentives) would be welcome but another lowly truck depot that generates little tax income but taxes our emergency services is not.
By the way, the section of 9 & 20 in both directions at Route 150 is already in deplorable condition, more trucks is not going to help.
Comment by  Brian — November 30th, 2011 @ 1:00 pm
2.    “We get all the diesel fog, crime…”  Crime? What, overweight vehicles?  Comment by  elmer — November 30th, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
3.    Those little smart cars do not make deliveries to those office and retail complexes we all adore.
I am sure there is more crime at Wal-Mart than the A Duie Pyle or Hannaford sites near exit 12.
200 jobs will be 200 more than you had before, people will live close to where they work, helping local housing a bit, and the money for 9/20, 150 will magically become available if they choose Schodack. Comment by  GNDN — November 30th, 2011 @ 2:30 pm
4.    I live in a development that borders the property that this monstrosity is possibly going to be built on. The company has already done the surveying of the land, cut down trees and placed POSTED signs on OUR property. If this is any indication of how “neighborly” this company is, I fear for our future! Please keep in mind, nothing has been approved by our Town at this point so why are they allowed to start working on a “proposed” site? Why on earth would anyone think that placing a building this size on Route 150 would be a good idea? Columbia Turnpike is in shambles already and the state does not feel the need to repair it. How is it going to handle the additional truck traffic? I am highly concerned about the impact to our neighborhood and I can only imagine what this is going to do to the value of our homes.
Comment by  Loyal Reader — November 30th, 2011 @ 2:45 pm
5.    Yo Brian (#1), you don’t get to cherry-pick who and what businesses come knocking on a municipality’s door to set up shop – especially in this economy. Right now, the ball’s in the Dollar Tree’s court. The jobs this will bring are desperately needed.
However, where I DO agree with you is this: No matter what businesses come to Southern Rensselaer County, the taxes there have remained – and will remain – among the highest in the region. And the tax deals cut for these businesses often take years for the towns/cities/states to see a net gain.
Just take a close look at the deal the state cut for Global Foundries in Malta, for example.  Check out the numbers for yourself (and try not to cry):  http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid={a41f83f5-ced7-4b44-8dae-6c13aec8c3bb}
Comment by  Stevevz — November 30th, 2011 @ 2:47 pm
6.    There is plenty of room in Albany – South end or Broadway areas – close to I-787 and the port!!!! The mayor should be after them to locate here!!! 
Comment by  Maria — November 30th, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
7.    Dollar Tree is actually a company that makes money so anything they do in the area even if it seems trashy is good. I work with them everyday as a vendor and they are amazing to do work for.
Comment by  landlord — November 30th, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
8.    The County tax rates are no different from one end of Rensselaer Co. to the other. The Town’s Assessor is the one who sets the value. School taxes are the “big bug a boo” wherever you live. Those big distribution complexes are cash cows for any community and especially for the school district. Every house generates 2.5 kids in the schools, at least 2 cars on the streets that have to be plowed and so on. That warehouse will probably have no impact on student population. It’s off a State highway, therefore no Town highway costs. It is a win win for everyone. Check out Hannaford’s property, it is neater than a lot of residential lots in Schodack! Anyone who bought a house next door to a zoned, commercial site, has no one to blame but …..They are the same folks who ask a farmer to sell them a piece of land for a house and then complain to the Town about the smells of agriculture. Stop complaining, maybe your kid will be able to get a job at this place, after all there’s not much left in this area.
Comment by  Blackthorn — November 30th, 2011 @ 6:11 pm
9.    Dollar Tree, Crown, and RLR please come to Schodack we need you and all the jobs you will bring. Thank you dollar Tree, I love your stores and will be very happy to see you build in Schodak.
Comment by  AH — November 30th, 2011 @ 6:25 pm
10.    200 jobs at what, $10.00 an hour? They sell crap for $1.00. Can’t be big profit margins here. It may play well at the Curtis trailer park though. Why give a thought to bringing meaningful jobs to the area when you can go with this?
Comment by  Todd Hunsinger — November 30th, 2011 @ 10:51 pm
11.    The region needs all types of jobs. As much as we would like to think that we would be much better with high paying high level jobs, not everyone is cut out for them. I know some people who would love to work in that company and warehouse. This is good for the area. I do agree that there is a need for balanced development, but I don’t think many towns would turn down a good company bringing jobs to their area.
Comment by  Linda — December 1st, 2011 @ 9:29 am
12.    A distrubtion center for trinkets! 
Comment by  D — December 1st, 2011 @ 10:58 am
13.    Not perfect, but not bad. I’m sure there are plenty of potential workers over there, and highway access from that location is excellent. Now to be sure that the incentives granted don’t exceed the benefits produced. Always a concern when the politicals are part of the equation!
Comment by  Donald — December 1st, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
14.    Regarding crime, in addition to the overweight vehicles you get drugs, prostitution, vehicles breaking idling laws. Don’t believe me, take a ride down behind Pilot any day of the week where you will find 50 to 100 trucks parked out back most of which are idling. Talk with Schodack Police about what goes on down there.
Regarding school populations, despite all the home building that has taken place the last 15 plus years in Schodack, the student population in the Schodack school district has remained pretty much flat. Not sure why so many build such large homes for two or more adults but we are lucky that is the case. School taxes are a State/Federal issue. All the unfunded mandates is why our taxes are so high. Local school board has desecration over only about 10% of the budget. With Cuomo II in office, that situation will only get worse.
Agree jobs are welcome but there is no guarantee they will actually materialize. Many of these companies that the IDA gives big tax breaks to, the jobs never happen or disappear when the tax incentives are over. I guess the questions before us is it worth the risk and if we continue to bring nothing but trucking companies to Schodack are we ever going to attract more desirable, better income producing businesses?
Comment by  Brian — December 1st, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
15.    Brian you are woefully misinformed on a number of levels, most particulalry regarding local school board control over spending. The vast majority of school budgets are for people, the cost of which is most certainly a matter of local control.
How many drug/prostition arrests in the last year at the depravity that you say is Pilot?
Comment by  elmer — December 2nd, 2011 @ 9:28 am
16.    @GNDN I fell out of my seat because I laughed so hard after reading your comment. Seriously though man those ten dollar an hour employees aren’t going to be able to afford to live anywhere near that facility.
Not going to be making enough to even go out on lunch break and support any of the local businesses.
Get real this place is probably getting off tax free and the only jobs it is creating are going to be so low paying that they won’t even create any tax revenue from the payroll taxes.
But dollar tree will be able to distrbute their Chinese made products to Americans for even cheaper.
Comment by  Logan Reed — December 3rd, 2011 @ 11:45 am
17.    I think the comment by Brian is one of a communist. 
Comment by  Victor — December 5th, 2011 @ 4:04 am
18.    I live on Rt 150 and I have a great concern about having a distribution center for the big wheelers just down from where I live. the noise, the pollution from the trucks, the huge increase in traffic to a road that is just big enough to handle its current traffic. I also don’t like the idea of another company coming in that pays no taxes to help out the community. I don’t have children in the school and I only have one car on the road. I work 2 jobs and pay all my taxes – and why – so I can live down the road from a huge distribution center? I think not. I choose to live out here because of the quiet and the fresher air than in the city. Where are the benefits of this company coming to this site? Where are the taxes it will pay to help out the community? Where are the people going to come from to work here? As Logan Reed stated anyone who works at this site for that $10/hr could not afford to live out here.
Comment by  Rene — December 7th, 2011 @ 6:21 am
Dollar Tree considers Schodack for distribution center  Published: Thursday, December 01, 2011   By Kathryn Caggianelli  The Record  http://troyrecord.com/articles/2011/12/01/news/doc4ed71887996a0304632032.txt?viewmode=fullstory
SCHODACK — A 100-plus-acre parcel of land behind Dunkin’ Donuts near Exit 11 of Interstate 90 and U.S. Routes 9 and 20 could become the home of a Dollar Tree, Inc. distribution center serving hundreds of stores throughout the Northeast – and bringing as many as 200 new jobs to the area in the next five years.

The Town of Schodack is competing with the cities of Springfield, Mass. and Hartford, Conn. to host the $60 million distribution center.

Local officials said Wednesday they believed Schodack would be chosen for its centralized location and attractive industrial development incentives.

“Dollar Tree is looking to make a pretty significant investment in Rensselaer County,” said Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino. “They are looking at investing between $30 and $40 million in real estate and another $20 million in equipment.”

The county, town and school district stand to gain financially from the property tax paid by such a large enterprise, but so too would the workforce because approximately 160 to 200 new jobs would be created in the next five years, she said.

The county’s unemployment rate for October was 6.6 percent.

“And these aren’t just minimum wage-types of jobs. These are jobs that would allow people to support their families and make it attractive for people entering the workforce who want to stay in the area to remain here,” Jimino said.

The bargain store chain headquartered in Chesapeake, Va., boasts 4,300 stores in the U.S. and Canada is no stranger to the region, sporting multiple retail stores in Albany and Rensselaer counties alone.

The project is in the planning phase, according to Nadine Fuda, Town of Schodack director of Planning and Zoning.

“It was presented at the Nov. 21 Planning Board meeting and referred to our engineer for review,” Fuda said. “Dollar Tree has made application for site plan review and special permit with regard to water quality.” Continued...

The proposal outlines construction of a 700,000 square foot facility.

Findings are expected to be heard at the Dec. 19 Planning Board meeting, she said.

The Town is working closely with the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency as the project moves forward. Property tax abatements, wage tax credits, investment tax credits and reduced utility costs are some incentives the county uses to attract and retain businesses.

If Dollar Tree opts to build the distribution center in Schodack it will be a win-win situation for everyone involved, said Town Supervisor Dennis Dowds.

“It will be the start of significant economic growth for Schodack,” he said. “And Dollar Tree is a very well-run company. They are looking to grow and they have a strategic vision to support that.”

When Dollar Tree, Inc. arrives in a community it goes the extra mile to be a good neighbor, Dowds said.

“They look at their employees as associates and want people to grow with the company,” he said. “And they get involved with local schools and share their knowledge. For example, the distribution center would be fully automated and technologically sophisticated,” Dowds said.

Calls to Dollar Tree were not returned by press time.

Dollar Tree considers $60 million distribution centre Published: 02-Dec-2011  http://www.worldconstructionnetwork.com/news/dollar_tree_considers_60_million_distribution_centre_111202/ 
Retail discount store chain Dollar Tree is mulling over whether or not to construct a $60 million distribution centre in Renssealer County in New York.
Dollar Tree (DLTR) is deciding whether to build the facility in the town of Schodack, or at an alternative site in Connecticut, according to the executive director of the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, which is involved in recruiting the company.
Dollar Tree is looking to buy a 106-acre site in Schodack, Pasinella said on Monday. The facility would have 200 jobs. The distribution center, at roughly 600,000 square feet, could cost upwards of $40 million or $45 million. Equipment would cost an extra $10 - 15 million.
Dollar Tree would be eligible for county or IDA discounts on sales taxes for the equipment buy, as well as breaks on its property taxes. Dollar Tree is expected to make a decision by the end of next month.
For complete project details, please visit our premium subscription Construction Intelligence Center product, www.worldmarketintelligence.com/ic/construction
Schodack hopes to grow a Dollar Tree  Discount chain considers several locations for its new distribution center  Times Union Copyright 2011 Times Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By CHRIS CHURCHILL, Business writer  Published 08:05 p.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2011 http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Schodack-hopes-to-grow-a-Dollar-Tree-2351982.php
Page 1 of 1
SCHODACK — Officials in Rensselaer County expect the Dollar Tree chain of discount stores to decide within weeks whether to build a massive distribution center in Schodack.
Virginia-based Dollar Tree is considering the town, as well as sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut, for a center that would employ as many as 200 workers and serve company stores in New England and upstate New York.
For a site near Exit 11 from Interstate 90, Dollar Tree is proposing a 600,000-square-foot to 725,000-square-foot building. The company may eventually expand the center to 1 million square feet, according to Schodack Town Supervisor Dennis Dowds.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 19 in Schodack Town Hall. Representatives from Dollar Tree are expected to attend.
Robert Pasinella, the county's director of economic development and planning, said the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency is weighing tax and other incentives that could help make the Schodack site more attractive to Dollar Tree.
The state may also sweeten the pot. Empire State Development, the state's economic development arm, declined to comment Tuesday.
"A lot of work is going into this," Dowds said. "We want them to understand that we're business friendly and we want them here."
The center would be highly automated, yet would employ about 200 workers. Dollar Tree has told the town and county it hopes to break ground on the building by March and wants it open by mid-2013.
The building would be about five miles from a Federal Express distribution center now under construction in East Greenbush. That 250,000-square-foot center is expected to open next year.
Dollar Tree, which has a distribution center in northeastern Pennsylvania, is a rapidly expanding company that opened 98 stores just during the year's third quarter and now has more than 4,300 North American locations.
Dollar Tree spokeswoman Chelle Davis did not return a request for comment.
Reach Chris Churchill at 454-5442 or cchurchill@timesunion.com.  
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Schodack-hopes-to-grow-a-Dollar-Tree-2351982.php#ixzz1gRnb72wd
PLANNING BOARD AGENDA for 7:15 p.m., Dec 19, 2011
DRAFT AS OF 13 Dec 11
Next meeting 09 Jan 2012
1.    PUBLIC COMMENT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA ONLY
 
2.    APPROVE MINUTES
SITE PLAN/ SPECIAL PERMIT
3.    Tractor Supply / Amerigas Propane     2011-46/HC/189.-5-1.11
1649 Columbia Turnpike
Proposed - Propane Tank
7:15 PUBLIC HEARING
4.    9 & 20 Associates     2011-39/PD3/189.-10-36 & 189.-10-40.13
Route 150
Proposed - Project Liberty / Dollar Tree
MEMBER DISCUSSION
5.    If needed

Pursuant to the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Public Law 101-336), the Town of Schodack will provide auxiliary aids or please notify the Town Clerk's Office at 477-7590 so arrangements can be made for requested services. Please forward written comments to: Nadine Fuda, Director, Planning & Zoning, Schodack Town Hall, P.O Box 436 / 265 Schuurman Road, East Schodack, NY 12063, Nadine.fuda@schodack.org Telephone: 518-477-7938, Fax: 518-477-7983
Denise Mayrer, Chairman , Wayne Johnson, G. Jeffrey Haber, Paul Puccio, John LaVoie, Andrew Timmis, Jim Church, Attorney: Robert Linville, Esq.
Planing: Draft Agenda: 19 Dec 11  Latest Update: 13 Dec 11 URL: http://www.schodack.org/docs/pb_draft.htm

PLANNING BOARD MEETING-NOVEMBER 18, 2011  http://www.schodack.org/docs/PB20111118.pdf
CALLED TO ORDER BY: CHAIRWOMAN DENISE MAYRER AT 6:30 p.m.
PRESENT MEMBERS
Denise Mayrer, Chairman
Jim Church
G. Jeffrey Haber
Wayne Johnson
John LaVoie
Andrew Timmis
Nadine Fuda, Director
Attorney Robert Linville, Esq.
ABSENT Paul Puccio Richard Laberge, Planning Board Engineer9 & 20 Associates 2011-39/PD3/189.-10-36 & 189.-10-40.13
Route 150
Proposed – Project Liberty
There was no one here from Project Liberty for tonight’s meeting.
Chairwoman Mayrer stated we are here tonight to have the Planning Board of the Town of
Schodack declare its intent to become lead agency for the above project. She asked if the
board had any questions about tonight’s meeting.
There were no questions
Timmis motion, LaVoie seconded that the Planning Board Seek to be LEAD AGENCY. 6 Ayes. 0 Noes. Motion carried.
Ayes: Church, Haber, Johnson, LaVoie, Mayrer, Timmis  Oppose: None
ADJOURN
Haber moved, Timmis seconded that the Planning Board meeting be adjourned. There being no objections, Chairwoman Mayrer adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,  Nadine Fuda Director of Planning & Zoning

PLANNING BOARD MEETING-NOVEMBER 21, 2011 from http://www.schodack.org/docs/PB20111121.pdf

CALLED TO ORDER BY:  CHAIRWOMAN DENISE MAYRER AT 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT MEMBERS
Denise Mayrer, Chairman
Jim Church
G. Jeffrey Haber
Wayne Johnson
John LaVoie
Paul Puccio
Andrew Timmis
Nadine Fuda, Director
Attorney Robert Linville, Esq.
Richard Laberge Planning Board Engineer

9 & 20 Associates 2011-39/PD3/189.-10-36 & 189.-10-40.13
Route 150   Proposed – Project Liberty (Dollar Tree Distribution Center)

Steve White, Chief Logistics Officer, Senior Vice President of Dollar Tree Distribution Inc was present for this meeting.

Chairwoman Mayrer asked the applicant to tell the board what their proposal is.

Mr. White stated Dollar Tree is based in Chesapeake Virginia, they have been in business to 25 years, and currently have 4400 stores in 48 states as well as a 100 stores in Canada.
They have 9 distribution centers to support their 4400 stores in the US. The current distribution center that serves New England is located in Briar Creek Pennsylvania at a million square feet of building and they are running out of room.

They currently are in a site search for their new building and it is between Hartford Connecticut, Springfield Massachusetts and here in Schodack New York.
They are looking for approximately 100 acres to build a new distribution center that will service about 400 stores to start.
The building size is about 700,000 square feet to start and will expand to about a million square feet.

They are looking at a very aggressive time line they want to break ground in March of 2012 and have the building up in mid November so all the inside work can be completed in the winter months, they want to start shipping to stores in June of 2013.

The estimated cost of the project will be around 65 million dollars to complete.
The first year up and running they will employ about 120 people and in 5 years up to 200 positions.
This is a clean operation but will create truck traffic. When the building is at full status there will be about 100 trucks inbound and about 50 to 60 out bound every day.
They want people to enjoy working for Dollar Tree and stay employed until they retire from the company. They pay a good wage and have good benefits, with fully funded health care after 6 months of full time employment.
He then asked if there were any questions from the board.
Chairwoman Mayrer asked about the hours of operation.
Mr. White stated the guard shack for the yard will be 24 hours 365 days a year. The facility will be a 2 shift operation to start and grow to three shifts.
Chairwoman Mayrer aksed about the truck traffic, you are only a distribution center and outsource the transportation.

Mr. White stated correct, this facility will supply goods to all of New England and Canada.
Chairwoman Mayrer asked if they have preferred venders for the trucking company or do you go with the local companies.
Mr. White stated they typically use one carrier outbound. And inbound are the larger companies such as Snyder or SWIFT. The outbound they are typically 53,48 & 28 foot trailers as well as straight trucks. They are talking to the state about getting approved for tandems on the thruway.
Mr. Haber asked if the inbound traffic will be tandems.
Mr. White stated he is not sure. They met with the state today and will have to wait for their decision.
Mr. Haber asked if they discussed the possibility of tandems coming off I90 at exit 11 to the site.
Mr. White stated it did not come up.
Chairwoman Mayrer asked if they were any other questions from the board.
There were no more questions.
Chairwoman Mayrer thanked Mr. White for his presentation and we will refer this to our boards engineer Mr. Laberge for review. And we will get back to you in terms of the next steps needed to complete this process.