Letter To The Editor – When A Dollar Could Cost Millions

To the Editor:
After months of investigation and fact finding about the Hoosick Falls Armory I am compelled to bring forth my finds and concerns.
As you [the public] know, a concerned group of Town residents have signed their 300 plus names on a form stating they want the Town offices to stay in the Armory. At several meetings a group of up to 70 at times, has voiced their wants and desires on the subject. At one such meeting over half of the group raised their hands to save the Armory regardless of the cost to the taxpayers of the Town of Hoosick. This greatly concerned me, as it should you, for as we know taxes are reaching the breaking point in our small rural town. Should 50 or even 300 people decide for thousands of residents?
I have current numbers showing that since 2009 over 41% of local jobs have vanished and over 21% of the workers in our town earn less than $25,000 a year. I have attended a Town meeting and have heard people say it is not always about the money. To a degree I can see their point, but I must vote in the best interest of all the taxpayers not just the ones that are fortunate enough not to feel the financial burdens that face many of the families in our town today.
The facts are very unnerving to me regarding the purchase of the Armory. You see the state will always have controlling ownership. Once we sign the papers to purchase the Armory we are legally liable for all actions brought against the Town be it lead, asbestos, fire codes, American disabilities laws, soil contamination or mold. These State codes must be met, or we are in non-compliance. Many people say, “Don’t worry, what are they going to do, sue us?” – yes! That is my, and should be your, worry. Who wants a legal claim against the taxpayers of the Town of Hoosick?
I am sorry this letter is getting long, but I feel things need to be said that are not coming out in our local newspapers. Why not, you ask? Well one paper’s reporter is on the save the armory committee and the other paper’s editor said to save the historic building. A true bias may exist here.
Back to the cost of renovating the armory. As stated to several of the Board by different firms, the quote was between $2 to $3 million. The quote of $500,000 from a local firm seems way out of line and too good to be true. If you follow State laws and codes, we would spend over $300,000 before we even swing a hammer, so how could we do it all for only $500,000?
Do not forget this is a historical building which means any renovations must be approved by the New York State Historical Society of Albany.
These are just a few cost estimates before any renovations can start:
• Asbestos and lead study of the building interior – $20,000 – $30,000;
• Fire suppression for stairwells – $50.000 – $75,000;
• Approved Phase II test for in ground, 40 year old, 2,500 gallon tank – $12,000;
• Elevator to satisfy American Disabilities Act – $80,000 – $125,000
• New heating system – $70,000 – $80,000.
Cost estimates for removal of asbestos and lead along with the oil tank will most likely exceed $100,000.
Some people have stated that if we do not purchase the Armory people would not want to move a business here or purchase a home; they are afraid the Town would look empty and closed down. I can appreciate that way of thinking, but really the criteria for moving or starting a new business would be available work force and reasonable property tax rates. As a home owner, what is more important than a quality school, which we have one of the best school systems in the state, and affordable property taxes. If the Town does not buy the Armory it will go to auction like the one in Whitehall; it was sold and is now on the tax roll.
So where do you, the taxpayer, stand on this issue? Send the Town Board a letter stating your opinion on this matter. Do you want to buy the Armory or not? Voice your opinion before the April meeting because the group that want it will be there as they have in the past. Remember, if your taxes go up, just look in the mirror and ask yourself why.
Thank you for your time,
Hoosick Councilman Bruce Patire
P.O. Box 17, Hoosick Falls
Editor’s Response: In this letter Mr. Patire asserts that a reporter from this paper, Bea Peterson, is a member of the Save the Armory Committee. This is an untruth. Bea attends the Committee’s meetings in order to report on their activity for this newspaper as I have asked her to do. – Kieron Kramer, Editor