by Kieron Kramer
At the monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday, July 10, a resolution was adopted unanimously authorizing acceptance by the County of a deed in lieu of in rem tax foreclosure from Four J’s One Mechanic Street, LLC. This LLC is the current owner of the WCW property at One Mechanic Street in Hoosick Falls, previously owned by JW Realty. Five years after purchasing the two parcels on Mechanic Street in 2006, and owing a tax obligation for those years to the Village, WCW moved its mattress manufacturing business to Manchester, Vermont, in 2011.
[private]The County of Rensselaer had commenced an in rem tax proceeding against 137 parcels, the owners of which were delinquent in their payment of real property taxes to the County. One of these was the WCW property which was owned by JW Realty when the in rem tax foreclosure proceeding was commenced and was thereafter transferred by JW Realty to the present owner, Four J’s One Mechanic Street, LLC. The present owner has offered, in lieu of going to trial, to transfer its fee interest to Rensselaer County by deed. According to the resolution, both the County of Rensselaer and its residents would benefit from the speedy resolution of this pending litigation, so the Legislature, with this resolution, authorized the County to accept the deed in lieu of foreclosure.
District Five Legislator Lester Goodermote, who represents the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, said in an interview after the meeting, “They [WCW] really got a cheap rent; they purchased the building for $400,000 and paid zero property taxes, zero water and zero sewage bills to the Village [for five years]. He’s paid nothing.” According to Goodermote, the County has indemnified the Village for its losses in taxes and fees. The County has been close to getting the building for a while, and he was upset that the owners have been “stalling” in settling the foreclosure case. “This has been going on since last winter,” he said. The County will now try to find a buyer or a tenant. “As long as they’re going to get some jobs for the community, we’ll probably work like a dog with them,” Goodermote said.
In the meantime, during the delay, the property has been stripped of anything of value. WCW still owns property on Route 22 near the Falls Diner where it began its operations. The tax liabilities on that property are up to date.
The Ivorys Pay Back Taxes On Their Grafton Property
In another delinquent property tax case, this time in Grafton, a resolution was passed authorizing the County to sell certain real property that it had acquired through foreclosure back to the former owner, Patrick V. Ivory, who paid the tax arrearage in full prior to the scheduling of an auction sale of his property.
On March 25, 2011, by decision of the County Court, the County acquired title to a parcel of land which was formerly owned by Patrick V. Ivory and Valery J. Ivory, the latter of whom transferred her interest to Patrick J. Ivory. Since the parcel had not yet been scheduled for sale at public auction conducted by the County it was re-conveyed to its former owner. Ivory remitted payment in full of the tax arrearage plus a $1,000 re-conveyance fee to the County. Curiously, a resolution passed in 2011 had incorrectly authorized the transfer of this real property to Alexis Ivory, who is the daughter of the Ivorys.
Supporting A Speed Limit In Hoosick
On Tuesday the Legislature passed a resolution requesting the New York State Department of Transportation to review a portion of County Route 95 and County Route 100 in Hoosick.
The resolution says, “This Legislative Body has worked to identify and address safety issues and concerns throughout the County in particular major thoroughfares used by residents for travel…The speed limit on County Route 95 and County Route 100 in the area of Hoosick, New York is currently 55 miles per hour…A request has been made by residents within the Town of Hoosick and the Town of Hoosick Board to reduce the speed limit to 45 miles per hour…this Legislative Body does hereby request the New York State Department of Transportation to review and reduce the speed limit on County Route 95 and County Route 100 in the area of Hoosick.”
Vice Chairman of the Legislature and District 5 Legislator Stan Brownell informed the body that the Town of Hoosick Board had passed a similar resolution at its meeting the night before. Then he introduced to the Legislators Hoosick Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly who was in attendance in support of the County resolution.
The North Hoosick Fire Department’s Sixty-Fifth Anniversary
The Legislature passed a resolution commending the North Hoosick Fire Department on its sixty-fifth anniversary. The resolution says, “Whereas it is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize achievements of the citizens of Rensselaer County, we acknowledge with respect and admiration individuals whose bravery and dedication have been so valuable to our community.”
According to the resolution, the first meeting of the North Hoosick Fire Department took place at the North Hoosick school house on May 1, 1947. At that time a motion was made, seconded and passed that the North Hoosick Fire Department be adopted as a fire company and the principal office of the same designated at North Hoosick. The Fire Department ordered its first fire truck in October, 1947 and received it on June 4, 1948. Several donations were made to build a fire house; fire-fighter equipment was purchased and a fire siren was installed. A new fire house was built on Route 22 in 1965, with an addition built in 1996 due to the growth of the fire department. Over the years the Fire Department has had many fundraisers to help purchase new and updated equipment. Fundraisers included clam steams, clam chowder sales and, more recently, catered meals, banquets, chicken barbecues, dances and events for the youth.
The resolution says, “The North Hoosick Fire Department has continued to grow since 1947, with its members serving the community and protecting the residents of North Hoosick for many years…The fire fighters from the North Hoosick Fire Department are truly dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of their community and have provided outstanding service to those who have been in dire need, thus contributing to the welfare of the entire County…Nowhere is the dedication to respond more felt or acted upon with more resolve than by our Rensselaer County fire fighters who so fully emulate the ideals embraced in the Fireman’s Prayer which states:
‘When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an elder person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling, and give the best in me to guard my every neighbor and protect their property. And if, according to Your will, I have to lose my life, please, O Lord, bless with Your love my children and my mate. Amen.’”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed to the North Hoosick Fire Department.[/private]