Senior Housing
There is a need for fact based, common sense decision making. The following are the facts that lead to a common sense determination.
The Town of Kinderhook’s Comprehensive Plan and Town Code address the need for senior housing and offers incentives such as a “density bonus” for such development. In addition, the Town Board readily agreed to a PILOT with a developer of low to moderate income senior housing, such as that found at Valatie Woods. Columbia County’s Strategic Plan specifically addresses this need and foresees this need, not as a burden, but an economic opportunity. Serving retiring seniors is becoming more and more of a growth industry.
Mr. DeVito has submitted studies and plans. Among the important details is an offer of up to $ 500,000.00 toward fixing the Valatie Sewage plant. This is a publically recognized need going back to a 2004 Engineering study. Even without the study the smell of the dysfunctional system is evident on many occasions. A 2004 study calls for well over 1 million dollars in repairs. It is unbelievable that the Valatie officials would hide both the need and a potential solution from the public and especially its own taxpayers. The expressed concern by Pat Grattan and Mayor Strevell for Philmont’s $60,000.00 per year sewage payments is amazing compared to Valatie’s Million dollar need. Valatie could reimburse Philmont and still come out ahead! Without the sewage flow into the Philmont Plant its costs would be less.
As to why a business man would choose Kinderhook over Philmont is easily answered. Mr. DeVito needs to sell units in his complex and amenities found in Kinderhook are not available in Philmont. For example, Kinderhook has 33 physicians, other medical care services at VMA, and several local dentists. As to living style we have two libraries, several historical museums and other historical buildings as well as convenient shopping, sidewalks, many good restaurants and other amenities. Philmont has one physician, a Stewarts and one very fine restaurant.
Also, from a business standpoint the following tax-facts lead to only one conclusion: Kinderhook is better for business.
Tax Comparisons:
Philmont - $ 9.46 per thousand
Valatie - $ 2.21 per thousand
Clavarack Town’s
tax rate in Philmont $ 0.91
Kinderhook Town’s tax rate in Valatie $ 0.57
School tax rates
Philmont $ 18.38
Kinderhook $12.58
Although known for a long time by Valatie officials, a July 10th letter from Mr. DeVito making that half million dollar offer. I am informed that Mayor Strevell and Attorney Pat Grattan have not agreed to meet Mr. DeVito and have had no response. In addition, the added real estate taxes on this profit making venture would help the tax base of Valatie Village, the Town, County and School. School taxes are generally our highest taxes in Columbia County. Senior Residences do not put additional kids in schools and do not add to the cost of operation.
I am very disappointed by the determination of the CC BOS Philmont subcommittee to shelve the DeVito project and proceed with a Certificate of Need process on a $27,000,000.00 building project in Philmont. It was both premature and based upon misinformation. Mr. DeVito has not agreed to build the Senior Housing in Valatie without nursing home beds. This means that the taxpayers of the Village of Valatie are out $ 500,000.00 toward the renovation of their failing sewage system. Valatie Village officials have been misleading by not mentioning that offer to the public.
Like the Valatie people, the Philmont Subcommittee was misled by the idea that Mr. DeVito can and will build senior housing without nursing home beds.
The facts presented by Mr. DeVito have not been fully explored. His offerings show savings of over $ 800,000.00 per year to the taxpayers of the county. Even if half or a quarter of that it is still a savings that is better than the annual subsidizing of the Philmont Nursing Home, which is currently budgeted at over $ 500,000.00 for 2009. Many years it is a million and a half.
Not only is the determination premature, it ignores and does nothing about the County’s Strategic plan which has determined the need for senior housing. Instead it has determined to proceed with the NYS Health Department for a Certificate of Need to build a multimillion dollar nursing home at Philmont. All of this was determined in the worst economic times since the Great Depression and while we are struggling with hiring freezes and trying to cope with budget short falls.
Common Sense demands a thorough review of the options; as well as public information concerning the information presented by Mr. DeVito on behalf of the project named the Concordia Project.
