Letter to the Editor

Galaxy

By Linda Amodio, Maybrook
Posted 3/4/21

There is a public hearing on whether annexing the Galaxy property to the Village of Maybrook is in the best interest of the residents on March 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

I don’t know whether it is or …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Letter to the Editor

Galaxy

Posted

There is a public hearing on whether annexing the Galaxy property to the Village of Maybrook is in the best interest of the residents on March 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

I don’t know whether it is or not, but I do believe that there are important questions that need to be answered concerning this.

Galaxy is looking to become part of our village because they want to hook up to our water and sewer. Our water tower is old and rusty, and we have water issues at times. Firemen have told me that at times, they are told by the village that there is not enough water if there is a fire. Before taking on this property the village board needs to address what is the plan to upgrade the water system and more importantly to pay for it? Will it be on taxpayers or Galaxy? The Village Bond Rating has been downgraded due to financial mismanagement by the board so if we have to borrow money, what type of rate will we get and how will it be repaid? We all pay the sewer surcharge. I think this is something that should be discussed at the public hearing and stated on the record. A long-time village resident told me that the Mayor looked him in the eye and said that the new sewer plant was not going to cost taxpayers a dime. He thinks about that conversation every time he pays the sewer surcharge on his bill. Elected officials in Maybrook like to have private conversations with citizens instead of addressing these things in a public forum.

Also has a traffic study been done? What is the plan to deal with the increased traffic from Galaxy? Is Galaxy committed to paying for road maintenance? Does Galaxy plan on asking for tax relief via a PILOT? If not, have they stated that on the record? When exactly will Galaxy begin paying taxes to the village?

There is no doubt that the village needs a tax base, and this could very well help BUT what is the plan for the added costs that the village will incur by taking over Galaxy land? What is the plan for the added stress to the village infrastructure? These questions need to be answered in simple language by the Mayor and the board at this meeting. There is an engineering and survey document on the Maybrook website but the questions above are not answered in simple terms.

If you care about your taxes and how this will benefit your village, I urge you to attend the meeting and ask questions. Above is just a small mention of costs and concerns that will undoubtedly come from this.