Location: Schroon Boathouse
Over 140 people came to the second of the SLTA meetings. Paul Balme, SLTA treasurer, opened the meeting. He reiterated who we are and why we were formed. He directed people to our website and turned the meeting over to Martin Myers, SLTA Board of Directors member, who announced the selection of the Beebe law firm in Clifton Park.
He reported on the deadline for joining the lawsuit for the Article 78 –which was Monday, August 14th. Over 115 Schroon Lake taxpayers signed on to the Article 78. In addition, we now have 300 members in SLTA and the number is growing daily. Martin pointed out that the lawsuit payment schedule is broken into three stages; the first requires a payment of $6,500 which we have in contributions. The total amount for the lawsuit, mailings, etc. will be $25,000.
He directed those in attendance to the handouts which included voter registration forms, membership and pledge forms and the Article 78 authorization forms.
He explained why we are seeking a town wide independent revaluation- to create a fair and equitable tax system that is beyond the reach of the town politic (favoritism or penalization). He talked about the need for voter registration so that all property owners have a voice in issues that directly affect our taxes.
There was a call to those in attendance to participate as volunteers - as researchers (computer based assessment and tax analysis); fundraisers; a volunteer activities’ coordinator; and an SLTA secretary.
He then turned the meeting over to Maureen Mangiardi, an SLTA Board of Directors member, for questions and answers. People from the floor told stories of successful Article 78 revaluations in other municipalities. One man claimed to have saved $102,000 in taxes as a result. The need for a reputable firm to handle the revaluation was addressed. The question of how school taxes are affected by property assessments was also discussed as well as other issues.
The meeting was concluded with a call for participation as members and also for volunteers and financial pledges. Maureen pointed out that the SLTA can only be successful if people take ownership of its goals – to facilitate an independent revaluation to create fair assessments and taxes for everyone.
We thank everyone for attending and supporting SLTA.
By the way, we remind our members that summer is drawing to a close and we need you to take a moment out of your hectic schedules and write a check so that we can have the lawsuit fully funded.
Also, there have been initiatives presented to the New York State legislature which address the need for new laws in regard to the burden of school taxes on property owners. Assembly bill # A08069 introduced by Kevin Cahill of the 101st District, calls for the state to assume all costs of basic quality education and for the elimination of real property taxes for the support of education; requires the Board of Regents to establish a schedule of mandatory basic services and the school districts to submit an annual basic budget to the department of education, etc.
We must take the time and effort to make our voices heard in the town of Schroon or there will be no change in the way property taxes are handled in Schroon Lake.
At last night’s Schroon Lake Association Meeting, Cathy Moses, Schroon Town supervisor, said that Schroon Lake’s method of assessments and their assessor were fair and exemplary. There are 300 people and counting who beg to differ.
In a private conversation with members of the SLTA after the August 12th meeting, the Schroon Deputy Supervisor and town board member, Roger Friedman, echoed the same sentiment and said that the town needed to be presented with facts that they felt were convincing to effect change to the current system; this would take time and be subject to the Town’s own judgment of how well they feel they are handling taxes-their current view is that everything is fine. That is why we are proceeding with the Article 78.
Time is not on our side unless we act quickly and decisively. The tax bill is around the corner. We literally cannot afford to have another tax season go by without changing the way taxes are applied in Schroon Lake. Join us; send a pledge; tell your neighbors!
Thanks for your continuing support.
7/22/06: FIRST SCHROON LAKE TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION MEETING, Adirondack Community Center:
Thanks to all for an overwhelming turnout from the community. Well over 150 people attended. Paul Balme, pro tem treasurer and founding member of SLTA, presented the opening remarks. The meeting was then opened to the floor. During the course of the free-wheeling exchange, property owners discussed their frustration and experiences concerning the inequities in their assessments and taxes and their interaction with town officials. There was discussion of moving forward with legal action to force the Town of Schroon to do an independent town-wide revaluation of all properties . It was pointed out that good government demands an independent town-wide revaluation every 10 years. The Town of Schroon has not had one in 17 years. Membership and feedback forms were circulated. Membership recruitment was brisk. People expressed ! enthusiasm and relief for finally having a forum to create fair and legal taxes for everyone. Explanations of the relationship between assessments and taxes were addressed. People told of their experience in past revaluations where their assessments went up, but taxes went down. The SLTA believes that an across the board independent property revaluation will lead to a fair distribution of the tax burden and a level playing field where one can easily challenge any unfair or erroneous assessment. This will encourage responsible stewardship of the town's budget, resources and services and end the culture of fear and intimidation. Keep an eye out for updates of activities and our progress in the SLTA Newsletter. A big thank you to everyone who participated. For those of you who couldn't make the meeting, we encourage you to join us and pledge your support! . Make your voice heard in the town politic!
As the fall season comes in its full color, the SLTA continues its mission to bring about fair and equitable taxes for Schroon Lake taxpayers.
First, we thank those of you who have joined SLTA and pledge your financial support. We have made great strides since the organization was created just two months ago. We now have over 300 members. Also, over 120 people have joined our Article 78 lawsuit which is being handled by Beede Law Firm in Clifton Park. The purpose of the lawsuit is to force town officials to agree to an independent revaluation of taxable properties.
*OTHER items:
The State Comptroller is taking up audience with the Schroon Lake Taxpayers Association sometime next week to review our assessment program.
We invite, and strongly encourage, all of you with knowledge of, experience
with, and/or evidence of any Town of Schroon dealings to contract one or
more of the officers of the SLTA or simple respond to this e-mail message
with a description of what you have. We need this information within
the next week. Please CALL or E-MAIL. Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Schroon Lake Taxpayers Association
Paul, Balme, Maureen Mangiardi, Stan March, Martin Myers
