8/6/13-8/14
GAZETTE, ROBERT WINTERMEIER ON THE GOUVEIA PROPERTY DEAL, LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Pay particular attention to the section below highlighted in RED on who will
pay the taxes if waivers from the town, school, and county are not
granted.
You may also have an interest in Joel Gingold's recent letter as well: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/08/8413-gingold-letter-on-gouiveia.html
You may also have an interest in Joel Gingold's recent letter as well: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/08/8413-gingold-letter-on-gouiveia.html
To the editor:
Over
the past few weeks, concerned Croton taxpayers have voiced their opposition to
the acquisition of the Gouveia property for many reasons including questions
concerning its usage, HAZMAT removal, setting a precedent for other property
owners, the impact on taxes, and the cost to maintain, repair and improve the
estate.
Despite
Trustee Gallelli’s admonition at the last Board meeting that our lawyers
advised the Village not to discuss ongoing negotiations between them and Ms.
Gouveia’s lawyers, our Village Manager, Abe Zambrano, showed up 4 days later at
a Senior Citizen meeting to promote the venture and answer the seniors’
concerns about the Board’s plans. As though we don’t have enough
Village unused property, Mr. Zambrano advised them that the Board plans to use
the Gouveia property for more Open Space but gave no specifics.
Regarding
costs, a certified financial planner and I spent about 20 minutes coming up
with a rough Return on Investment (ROI) cost analysis that took several
financial factors into account such as lost taxes, inflation, repairs,
maintenance, security, interest on Ms. Gouveia’s million dollar donation,
etc. Our analysis was very informal, but the result was a
conservative loss of about $85,315 annually. At this rate, the
additional million dollar Gouveia gift will be gone in 12 years or
less. Then what?
Our
analysis did not address the additional cost to build/repair roads, sidewalks
and a parking lot, fence the property, install restrooms and sanitary
facilities, etc. In addition, I don’t think we can disrupt this
property until she moves or dies. Also, I’m not sure how much access we will
have to the property while she is there. This is just another cash cow to
waste our tax dollars on more studies and contractors.
By
comparison, our Village Trustees approved a $10,000 study of the Gouveia property
with an engineering firm that did not include even a simple ROI
analysis. They produced a 148 page document that identified several
potential environmental problems but ignored the costs to remedy them. I
am unaware of any study done by the Board to address these and other costs that
will be associated with transforming this private property into public
space. That is key to a final decision.
Even more disturbing to me is the information I received from a
Town official who stated that if the School, Town and County do not grant tax
waivers to Ms. Gouveia, Croton taxpayers must pay her School ($19,180) and
Town/County ($4,135) taxes in addition to her forgiven Village taxes
($17,000). So far, the Town has stated they do not intend to
participate in this venture and it’s unclear if the County even knows about the
risky deal.
Based
on cost alone, this acquisition is a bad deal. I hope the Village Board
will come to their senses and tell Mrs. Gouveia “thanks but no thanks” for her
offer.
Taxpayers
should be sure to make their opinions known at the next Board meeting or in the
Gazette. It’s your tax money. See that it is
well spent.
Robert
Wintermeier
Don't the schools also have to okay any pilots or less taxes for affordable housing? I seem to recall their waiver was needed for Symphony Knoll.
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