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Opinion: Canton resident responds to councilman's letters; 'You will not divide us'

Posted 10/26/21

To the Editor: This letter is in direct response to Canton Town Councilman Bob Washo's two open letters to the Town of Canton taxpayers (both posted 10/21/2021 on this site) regarding the Village of …

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Opinion: Canton resident responds to councilman's letters; 'You will not divide us'

Posted

To the Editor:

This letter is in direct response to Canton Town Councilman Bob Washo's two open letters to the Town of Canton taxpayers (both posted 10/21/2021 on this site) regarding the Village of Rensselaer Falls.

Mr. Washo seems to take issue with the amount the village contributes to the Rensselaer Falls Fire Dept., which amounts to $19,100 this year. (He failed to mention the additional $11,000 given for the Rescue Squad.) I decided to look at how the Village of Rensselaer Falls' contribution to fire protection compares to the other Town of Canton's taxpayers.

Mr. Washo states that the Village of R.F.'s land valuation is $7,442,663 so I will trust that he is correct for purposes of this letter. Each Town of Canton tax bill for property outside the two villages contains a charge for Fire Protection. Those properties on rural roads, the hamlet of Pyrites, and those Crary Mills properties in Canton Township, all pay at a rate of $1.272077 per $1,000 of assessed valuation (av). Taxpayers in the Morley Fire District pay a rate of $1.534437 per $1,000 of av. So using the tax assessment stated for the Village of R.F., the $19,100 contributed would equate to a rate of $2.5662857 per $1,000 of av; twice the rate paid by the Town Outside taxpayers (such as Mr. Washo himself), and more than a dollar above the rate paid by Morley taxpayers. Town Outside taxes for Canton Fire Protection go to the Town of Canton to be distributed to all 4 fire depts. within the Town. So to insinuate that the taxpayers in the Village of R.F. are not contributing as much as others, is false. Additionally, our community enthusiastically helps and supports our fire dept. in their fundraising endeavors.

Mr. Washo appears to take issue with the amount of taxes paid by Village of R.F. property owners, as well. Granted, collectively we may only pay less than $21,000 (I question the figure he posted), but we are paying the same rate of $2.797945 per $1,000 of av, as all other TOC property owners, including the Village of Canton. (What benefit do the VOC property owners actually get from the TOC for their tax dollars? Discussion for another day!) And yes, we also purchase hunting, fishing, dog and marriage licenses; thereby contributing to those revenue sources, as well.

As you stated in your letters, the Town Outside (B) and Highway-Town Outside (DB) funds are mainly funded by Sales Tax Revenue and NYS Reimbursements. Your outrageous assertion that the Village of Rensselaer Falls makes -no financial contribution-for Town Outside services is also false. The residents of our village buy vehicles, fuel for their vehicles and homes, building supplies, home furnishings, gifts, clothing, diapers, medical supplies and other necessities for their families. We support local stores and businesses, and patronize our area restaurants, just as other TOC residents do. Therefore, we are contributing to the sales tax revenues collected and distributed by St Law County to the towns and villages.

Regarding the maintenance of our village streets, the Highway Supt. has the option to say no when Mayor Hammond requests help on street projects; or he can agree to have his highway crew perform the service, and bill the Village of R.F. for the agreed upon costs. This has been the process followed over the last several years. Could, and should, the Village of R.F. and the TOC enter into a shared services agreement for street maintenance, rather than piecemeal projects? Maybe, but with the current hostile environment that is not likely to happen.

What I found to be most upsetting about your letters, Councilman Washo, was your obvious attempt to incite anger and discord between the Village of Rensselaer Falls and the other Canton taxpayers by saying they are subsidizing us. That is beneath the virtue we expect to see in our elected officials, who are sworn to serve all of us - The Town of Canton. Many of us were, and are, schoolmates, teammates, co-workers, neighbors and friends. You will not divide us!

Susan M. Huntley
Canton
Village of R.F. Native/Property Owner
Village of Canton Property Owner