January 6, 2012

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree plan uprooted by angry residents

Posted at: 01/05/2012 11:49 PM
By: Dan Levy

SCHODACK - Two hundred new jobs and a huge boost to the community's tax base; who could possibly be against that?

In the Town of Schodack, there are plenty of people who would just as soon see the Dollar Tree plant its warehouse roots some place else. That was the view expressed by many in the community Thursday night at a well attended town meeting at the Schodack Valley Fire House.

It was at that fire house where company executives from Dollar Tree ran into a thick forest of opposition from many angry residents.

Many times during the evening, skepticism and cynicism boiled over.

"You're here to address our concerns," Don Wood, another Schodack resident shouted toward White. "Our concern is noise. What are the pros and cons? There are no pros for us. That's what you're missing."

Wood, interrupted White several times as the company officials tired to speak, an uncomfortable exchange for many in attendance.

"I don't like this project at all," said a man standing in the back of the fire house. "But I'm resigned to the fact it's going to happen. So I want to know what's going on and I can't hear because you (directing his comment at Wood) got your mouth open. So sit down and shut up!"


I missed this meeting ~ What I want to know is:
1 - who was the land owner at exit 12 who took their land off the market? Why?
2 - will Schodack REALLY get any tax money from this project?
3- How will the PILOT program be broken down?  50% the first year with and incremental increase over the life of the program? 
4 - why does Schodack only make the news when there is angry controversy?
5 -Does this report mean the project is dead? If so, who is the winner?

4 comments:

  1. Excellent questions, Catherine! Let me try to answer a couple for you. Question #1...The town refuses to disclose that information or even WHY the land owner pulled off the table. Many people close to that deal said the town was strong arming the landowner to pay for water and sewer lines to be brought to that land from Rt.150, which would have cost millions. Thus the land owner refused to sell and pulled the land off the market. The town said that "the land owner decided to build on it instead." Question #2...No, the town will not receive any tax money on this deal because all payments will be made to the Rensselaer County IDA, who is funding to build the site and all payments being made will be made to the county and not the town. Question #3...The PILOT program will be broken down at 50% for the first year, then increment 5% each year thereafter. Question #5...The deal is not dead and if we took anything away from the meeting last night, the deal is being fast tracked along to meet ground breaking deadlines. When asked the question, "Was there ever really 2 other cities in competition with Schodack?"...the Dollar Tree representatives stuttered through a "Yes" answer, but everyone was not fooled that this deal was inked and signed a long time ago.
    Now...here is the question I would like answered. If this project goes through and there is NO benefit to the town, in way of tax relief...who's pockets are getting greased by Dollar Tree? If I was the town board and supervisor and I knew my town was NOT going to benefit one bit from this deal, why would I be so thrilled to bring this atrocity to the town? There is only one reason that i can think of. The town board and supervisor are going to make out, financially, in the end. If I am wrong...prove it!

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  2. I am confused I thought the property was on 150 Schodack property tax EG school taxes. If over by Pilot that is both Schodack land tax and Schodack school tax.

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  3. PILOT is "Payment in Lieu of Tax" nothing to do with the Pilot Center Truck/Gas station.

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  4. The Dollar Tree project should come to Schodack! It fits the zoning laws, the comprehensive plan and the Route 9 corridor development plan. It would be a good start to broadening our tax base and relieving the burden on home owners. A little discussion with town officials indicates that:
    - there will indeed be tax revenue coming to Schodack from the PILOT agreement
    - the site will be added to the water district
    - there will be almost no town services required
    - there will be no on-site refueling, washing or maintaining of trucks
    Despite the potential noise issues, which the town engineer's report addresses, this would be a valuable addition to Schodack and Rensselaer County.

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