Town of
GLENVILLE
SPRING 2019 Newsletter
Incorporated 1820 • State of New York
From the Desk of the Town Supervisor
From the Assessor
Greetings! After a long, cold winter it’s nice to see everything “greening up” so nicely for what, I hope, turns out to be a pleasant and lengthy summer season. As you will read in this edition of the town’s newsletter, we have had a busy past couple of months and you’ll see we have an even busier couple months ahead. This year’s state budget season has not been kind to local governments. Although the property tax cap was made permanent, that state failed to provide any mandate relief. The tax cap has stressed local governments as they struggle to meet the ever increases in health insurance, wages and pension costs. It is the state mandates that largely drive up the cost of government for property taxpayers. Additionally, the AIM (Aid and Incentive to Municipalities) money that the state has provided local governments to actually try to help them deal with these mandates was removed from the state budget and the governor shifted the burden to counties by mandating that the counties make up for the cut. This means that counties will be required to share more of their revenues with local government, further stressing county budgets which also struggle with state mandates crushing their bottom line. You’ll read in this edition of the newsletter that despite the states mandates, the town is doing very well financially and is in a very strong position thanks to the hard choices that the Town Board has made over the previous years. Our fund balance (savings account) is healthy, debt is down and Moody’s just released a positive opinion of the town that confirms the town’s financial strength. You will also read that we have busy with new economic development projects that will help to continue expand the town’s tax base and provide more jobs to our residents. Two projects alone: the cheese factory in the Glenville Business and Technology Park and the high-tech firm in Airport Park will add another $40 million collectively into our economy and create about 60 jobs. You can read more in the economic development column. We have also been very busy in parks. Also you will read, we recently made significant investments in the town’s parks and more are planned this year. Much of the improvements have been funded by state grants and/or recreation fees paid to the town by developers that by code need to set aside money for park improvements. This has allowed us to continue our efforts to connect parks with new trails, install fitness equipment and build a new pavilion. More projects are coming, so stay tuned. You’ll also read in this edition of our town newsletter that we have been busy with Yates Mansion, planning Glenville 2020 and starting to build our pedestrian walkways throughout town. These are all incredibly important projects that make a town a stronger community. Watch for more information on each of these projects on our town website or at glenville2020.com. Finally, one of the Board’s important decisions this year is to finally determine the town’s direction in terms of physical space. For some time now, you have heard me and the Board talk about Town Hall no longer being adequate to serve the needs of our residents and employees. We have pursued a partnership with the village and proposed to share space in one municipal building. After years of talks, the village has declined to join us in that endeavor. Therefore, this year, you will start to learn more about the town’s options as the Board mulls our next move. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns that you might have.
The latest STAR changes: New York has been slowly shifting the STAR exemption program into a STAR rebate check program. 2015 saw the first major change to the STAR program. Property owners who purchased their homes after August 1, 2015, and who were qualified for a STAR benefit, were required to register for the “rebate check” program directly with New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. At that time, the dollar amount of the discount to the school tax bill was equal to the dollar amount of the rebate check received in the mail. Those changes in 2015 did not impact anyone who did not purchase a new primary residence. Those property owners who remain in their primary residence, and continue to do so, were allowed to retain their STAR benefit in the form of a property tax exemption (discount). However, the most recent state budget passed on April 1st adopted a few more changes. Please note that this year’s changes do not impact who is eligible to benefit from the STAR program. It only changes how property owners benefit from the STAR program. •Property owners benefit from the STAR program in one of two ways: - Either as a discount(exemption) on the school tax bill, or - As a refund (rebate) from the state. One of the significant changes adopted in this year’s budget bill mandates that any property owner currently receiving the STAR benefit in the form of an exemption that also has annual income in excess of $250,000, must switch over to receiving the STAR benefit in the form of a STAR rebate check. In other words, if your income exceeds $250,000, you will receive a STAR rebate check directly from the state, but will no longer receive the discount (exemption) on your school tax bill. This does not impact those property owners whose income falls below the $250,000 threshold. The other significant change for this year is that moving forward, for those property owners who receive the STAR benefit in the form of the exemption (discount), their dollar savings will never exceed the previous year’s STAR savings. (Prior to 2019, the STAR savings amount was capped at 2% of the previous year’s amount). However, for those who receive the STAR benefit in the form of a “rebate check”, the STAR rebate check may exceed last year’s rebate check but never by more than 2% of the previous year’s STAR rebate check.
Christopher A Koetzle Supervisor
yourhometowne@gmail.com
To summarize, the changes for the 2019 year are: •For those who currently receive the STAR benefit in the form of an exemption (discount) on their school tax bill, the dollar savings on the school tax bill will no longer exceed the previous year’s savings – there is no 2% annual growth in your savings. •For those who currently receive the STAR benefit in the form of a rebate check, the STAR rebate check will never exceed the previous year’s rebate check by more than 2% (capped). •Lastly, property owners with an annual income in excess of $250,000 will be required to change their STAR benefit from a property tax exemption to a rebate check. Please remember that the eligibility requirements to qualify for STAR savings have not changed. The best way to obtain more information is to contact state Department of Taxation and Finance directly, however please feel free to call the assessor’s office at (518) 688-1200.
www.townofglenville.org
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Glenville Police Department Update As Spring begins and the warm weather allows us to drive with our windows down, the Glenville Police are urging motorists to be aware of the modes of transportation we see when the weather permits, namely, motorcycles and bicycles. Unfortunately, most accidents involving a motorcycle or bicycle involve significant injury. We should be cognizant of the fact that these two-wheel riders are often hard to see and sometimes are hard to judge their speed. Furthermore, it is a proven fact that speeds do increase with warmer weather. The Glenville Police will continue our aggressive traffic enforcement throughout the town to ensure safe travels this Spring and Summer. Also, please be mindful of pedestrians walking on the roadways. Nighttime can be especially hazardous to walkers. We are sad to announce that Tracy Nethaway, Glenville Police Department’s first female officer has retired. Tracy began her career in Glenville after serving with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office from 1994 through 1999 and worked for the Town of Glenville from 1999 to 2019. Tracy was, and will always be, known for her kindness and concern for the Town’s elderly population. We wish Tracy the best in her new endeavors and hope that she visits often. With the retirement of Tracy, there was a vacancy in the Police Department. Luckily enough, we had a quality candidate on the Schenectady County Civil Service list. William Quandt, a life-long resident of Glenville, who had been hired by the State University Police, was interested in the opportunity to work for the police department he grew up to know. William was hired and started his career as our 23rd Police Officer on April 1, 2019. We are excited to have him and are thankful to the Town Board for the swift decision to fill the vacancy caused by Tracy’s retirement. Finally, the most exciting news for the Police Department is the agreement between the Glenville Fish and Game Club and the Town of Glenville to lease land at the club and create a separate gun range dedicated for the Police Department use. This agreement will allow us to finally have a range we can utilize on our schedule and perform the most pertinent and relevant firearms training required. We can’t express how much we appreciate the cooperation by the members of the Glenville Fish and Game Club, and we look forward to providing our officers with the best possible training facilities possible.
Agreement on A New Training Facility for Police Finally Reached The town secured a 15-year lease agreement with the Glenville Fish and Game Club that will allow the town to make much needed improvements to about a 1 acre site. The agreement gives the town police department exclusive use of the site where the improvements will be made and allows – in consideration for the lease – the club use of those improvements when the department is not using the facility. The long-term lease was critical to allowing the town to make much needed improvements for its officers. The planned improvements include a covered platform for the officers to prepare and shoot from, storage shed, privacy and safety berms, improved access to the site and dedicated bathrooms where officers can wash the toxic lead off their hands after shooting. In all, the improvements are expected to cost about $35,000. Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle called it a “win-win-win” stating that, “The officers get their much needed improved space, the club gets use of an improved facility and the residents win because there is no impact to them.” The police department has been shooting at this site for at least 50 years and there will be no chance to that practice. Improvements are expected to be complete by mid-summer.
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Sidewalks and Pedestrian Trail Development Continues The town has invested heavily in making this community a walk-able town. We have added miles of pedestrian friendly paths and we will add even more in 2019. As many of you know, our vision is to connect our neighborhoods to our commercial corridors to our parks with pedestrian friendly paths. The next phase in that connection is the Glenridge Path, which, will finally be completed this year. We will also continue to seek partners to help fund the riverfront path that links a business and residential corridor in Glenville with a park in Scotia and that also links the Empire Trail in Schenectady into one big loop. This year, through a state grant, we will hire an engineer to plan a town-wide pedestrian loop that will finally help us achieve this goal. For too long, students in both the SGHS and BHBL schools have not had a safe way to school. We will ensure that walking paths get done at both HS/MS that will give our students in both of these districts a safe passage between each of those respective schools.
Yates Renovation Also Continues
Restoration efforts are underway at the historic Yates Mansion. Last year we accomplished much: we cleaned up the property, started the demo of the interior and removed the non-historic part of the exterior. We were successful in getting the home placed on the state historic registry and we are currently waiting to hear from the national registry. We have begun the research into the family and we are starting to get a better understanding of the home and the Yates family. This will ultimately serve as the town’s history and cultural center and will house the town’s historic archives. Our 2019 plans include the continued renovation of the mansion and further exploration of the recently uncovered foundation next to the main part of the house. Our immediate next steps include the replacement the home’s mechanical systems.
Glenville Going Solar Working in conjunction with the county, the town will lease two properties to be used for solar production: the old landfill on Baryhadt Road and land at the town’s water plant on Van Buren. Both of these sites will be used to generate power that will ultimately power the town’s needs, as well as the village’s. Additionally, community solar power is expected to be available for residents who wish to purchase “green energy” from this project. The project is currently being reviewed by the town’s Planning Board and GE Solar – the developers – are expected to break ground by June. There is no cost to the town and expected savings to the town is thought to be at about $30,000 per year.
www.townofglenville.org
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Glenville Parks Updates
Town Hosts 9th Annual “Let’s Talk Business”
Neatly 100 people came out for the town’s annual business event to network and learn more about the town’s coming economic development plans. Supervisor Chris Koetzle spoke about the Glenville Business and Technology Park’s new Master Plan and changes to Freemans Bridge Road that are planned with the Complete Streets program and a new land use overlay district. Ray Gillen of Metroplex also addressed the crowd and spoke of all the development going on across Glenville. Ray noted that the town’s great water source, infrastructure and business-friendly approach to the planning process has helped to attract many of the new businesses that now call Glenville home. The event was held at Clynk in the Glenville Business and Technology Park on Route 5 and was catered by Riverstone Manor.
Highway Update As our highway budget permits, we will be paving town roads in Woodhaven this year. In the event of a severe storm in the Town of Glenville that causes down trees and limbs, we ask that residents place debris out to the curb side as soon as possible. Crews will make a onetime pass through town. Spring/Summer yard waste disposal, including leaves, brush, and grass clippings is the responsibility of the homeowner. Please contact your trash hauler for their details. Code §99 entitled Brush, Grass and Weeds states that property owners must maintain their lot or land. Any such lot or land that allows uncut growth of grass, weeds or brush, or any noxious or poisonous plants to accumulate or grow to a height in excess of 10 inches will be in violation. Planning a driveway replacement? Please contact us to ensure proper drainage is maintained.
Glenville 2020 Glenville has a rich and proud history and we’re going to celebrate it! It is this administration’s policy to promote, present and celebrate our great culture and heritage - this is what makes a community more livable: a shared experience and memory. Glenville has so much to offer our residents – whether it is our great museums like ESAM, community events like Oktoberfest or fantastic parks like Maalwyck, Andersen and Indian Meadows, our residents can celebrate Glenville. In the next year, we will celebrate our 200th anniversary as a town. This year we will spend time planning for that celebration. In 2020 we will celebrate our bicentennial through year-long events that will highlight that town’s diversity while celebrating its unity and will include parades, picnics, learning series, and will include two signature events. We are looking for the community to come forward and help us celebrate this important milestone. If you’re interested in joining us to help plan the town’s birthday, please go to glenville2020.com for more information.
yourhometowne@gmail.com
Maalwyck Park – This summer will mark the start of the next phase of park development which involves bringing utilities into the park and constructing a pavilion with both a concession stand and restrooms. The establishment of the two new playing fields will enhance the park’s utilization by a variety of sports teams and other groups. Indian Meadows – This winter was a great time to get out and enjoy the trails in Indian Meadows. Thank you to our volunteer trail groomer, Greg Stevens! Partnering with the Glenville YMCA and the Glenville Rotary, we hosted our first Park Trail Tour. A large group of participants gathered on a bright February day to enjoy cross-country skiing or hiking the Glenville Greenway Trail which connects Indian Meadows to Andersen Dog Park. Maps of the Greenway can be found on the Town website. As we move into spring, everyone is busy getting the park ready for a variety of summer time activities from baseball games to August’s Thursdays in the Park. Love My Parks Day on May 4th brings together many wonderful volunteers to help clean up and beautify our parks. Dog Park (Andersen Park)- We appreciated everyone’s patience as we waited for the dog park to dry out after a very muddy spring thaw. The dog park has now reopened for the enjoyment of our four-legged friends and their owners alike. Please be courteous and follow the posted rules.
Glenville Senior Center Invites New Members The Glenville Senior Center invites anyone aged 55 or over to become a member. The Center hosts a wide variety of programs, bus trips and services. Center offerings include golf, bowling, bocce and pickleball leagues, yoga and exercise classes, art classes, card playing, mahjong, book club, films, social events and more. The Center also provides a wide range of community services including limited transportation for area seniors, AARP tax return preparation, driver safety courses, and educational speakers. A daily lunch program is provided through Catholic Charities. The Center’s 2019 annual membership fees: Scotia-Glenville residents $15.00 per person; nonresidents $25.00 per person. For more information on joining and/or volunteering, please stop by the Senior Center located at 32 Worden Road, Glenville, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. or call 518-374-0734.
Marion On Friday, April 12th, the town of Glenville and members of the Glenville Senior Center honored our volunteers who give a combined total of over 5,000 hours annually to the Senior Center. Our volunteers make all of our activities possible: social events, trips, senior transportation, sports leagues, classes, educational programs, etc. Our volunteers serve on the board of directors, the front desk and the dispatch desk. We also honored Marion Grimes for her lifelong volunteerism with a proclamation presented by Supervisor Koetzle. Not only was she part of starting the senior organization, Marion also served on the committee to have the Senior Center built. Marion has been a volunteer for over 70 years and she is a US Marine! She continues to serve the residents of our community. Thank you, Marion!
www.townofglenville.org
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Economic Development
Finance Roundup:
Over the past 10 years, the town of Glenville has benefited from balanced, controlled economic growth that has helped to expand our tax base, bring additional amenities into our town, and has brought new jobs for our residents. Over the years we have worked in partnership with private developers, landowners, and government agencies to clean up contaminated properties, fill empty buildings and lots, and beautify our commercial corridor. All of this has led to a revitalized community that makes Glenville a great place to work, play and live! Our investments in Town Center have spurred millions of dollars of additional investments by private companies. The lights, banners, sidewalks and the clock have defined the commercial corridor and have created a destination where businesses want to locate. Simply put, making investments in our commercial corridor drives economic development and builds our tax base. Recently, we were proud to announce that Five Guys is coming to Town Center and that is only the latest of many businesses that have wanted to make Glenville their home. We also finally were successful in having National Grid remove those ugly utility poles and as part of our continued beautification effort, we are currently working with Metroplex to bring definition and a focal point to Town Center. With Town Center complete, we look to our next areas: Freemans Bridge Road redevelopment. Over the last two years the town has received state grants to study the redevelopment of Freemans Bridge Road. The first grant studied the “Complete Streets” concept and the second was to help with Waterfront Revitalization on lower-Freemans Bridge Road. Among the recommendations are: pedestrian friendly paths, traffic calming elements, beautification and creating the sense of community identity. This year, we will advance our plans to redevelop this important corridor. Recently the town of Glenville undertook a threeyear process to update the town’s Master Plan, which was last written in 1991. In this process, we discovered various codes that were out-of-date or not in line with the updated plan. The Town Board created a committee: the Codes Review Committee that is working to update the town’s codes. Some areas of study include: an overlay district for Freemans Bridge Road, a new land use schedule, and updates to the sign code. Lastly, but certainly not least, the town Planning Board recently approved a $30 million project for Belgiosio Cheese that will bring 50 new jobs in Glenville. They plan to break ground this month. Additionally, the town is in the process of review a $10 million project that will bring another hi-tech company and more jobs to the Airport Tech Park by the airport on Route 50. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.
Recently Moody’s issued an opinion about Glenville’s finances that have reinforced the administration’s philosophy and approach to budgeting that has placed the town on solid financial ground. The assessment states that: “Glenville’s credit position is high quality…” and “The key credit factors include a very strong financial position, an extremely small debt burden, and moderate pension liability.” The report went on further to say, “the town is in a robust financial position.” Some highlights from our most recent budget include: We expanded our tax base to bring additional amenities and jobs into our town. All of this has led to a revitalized community that makes Glenville a great place to work, play and live! Over the past nine years we have reduced the allocation of the town’s savings account by over $1 million a year; down from allocating $1.4 million annually before our administration to just about $340,000 in the 2019 budget – a reduction of 75%. This means, that is it the administration’s policy to no longer allow the town’s savings accounts to be used to pay for operational needs. In other words, we have protected the taxpayers’ savings account so that it can be invested into important capital needs as opposed to squandering on day-to-day operations. That practice is like paying your credit card bills with your 401K. It’s dangerous and can lead to financial disaster and we are not going to allow it. Over the past nine years we have reduced our debt from $23.1 million to $13 million – or a reduction of about $10 million dollars. This has saved us a tremendous amount of finance charges. Since 2009 we have reduced our finance costs by 67% or by $500,000 per year in savings, saving the taxpayers over $5 million. Our finance payments have dropped from over $800,000 per year in 2009 to just about $270,000 in 2018. Thanks to our prudent financial management, we have built up our reserve accounts to protect the residents from the sudden costs of emergencies and/or the ongoing need to invest in our town’s infrastructure and capital assets. In fact by protecting our fund balance and cutting our debt we were able to (for the first time) create a capital and debt reserve fund. In fact by protecting our fund balance and cutting our debt we were able to (for the first time) create a capital reserve fund and grow it to $3.26 million. Our debt reserve fund was created and has grown to $2.67 million. This means that we can meet our obligation without impacting the resident’s tax liability.
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Town to Make Decision on Capital Needs Space needs continue to be a problem for the town. The current Town Hall is inadequate, outdated and does not meet the town needs. Recently, Scotia decided not to partner with the town to build a joint facility which would have saved both municipalities a lot of money. Now that the town has a clear way forward, we will finally make a decision which will either result in siting and building a new town hall or lead to large renovations in our current building. A recent study indicated that the work necessary on our current town hall that would meet all of our needs were about $6 million – it seems imprudent to spend that much money on a building that has so many structural issues. Therefore, building on the town’s $1.5 million grant from the state to rehab the police department, the town is currently exploring its options for a new facility that will improve safety and increase efficiency of our operations. Watch for more information this spring and early-summer as the Town Board will begin evaluating various options to help the town meet its ongoing growth.
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