Thursday, January 27, 2011

Not With a Bang But a Whimper

First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling's resolution authorizing Mayor Scalera to enter into negotiations with Holcim to buy the dock died in committee last night. It seems that City Attorney Cheryl Roberts, presumably at the request of Mayor Rick Scalera, sent the resolution to Holcim Corporate Counsel Brian Smith. At tonight's Legal Committee meeting, discussion of the resolution began with Committee Chair Ellen Thurston reading Smith's response, which said in part: "At this time Holcim (US) has no present intention of selling any of its property at what we call our 'Greenport Site,' including either the port property located in the City of Hudson, or any of its mine property located in the Town of Greenport. Additionally, as you know, the port property is the primary means by which aggregate is shipped from the quarry to its customers by O&G Industries, who is currently operating on the property. For this reason, it is unlikely that we would consider selling the port property separate from the quarry property, even if were marketing the property for sale." (Yes, that's quoted exactly as it was written.)

After the letter was read, there was no discussion, except for Common Council President Don Moore making the point that the valuation of the dock, because Holcim is grieving the assessment, is now in the hands of the court and the court will make a decision about its worth. The Legal Committee then moved on to its next agenda item.  
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9 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    What a bore of a meeting. No energy just resolved to the inevitable. The whole idea that Holcim claims they make no money there and so the assessment is wrong wasn't even addressed. And thank you Ms Roberts and Mayor Scalera for once again jumping the gun to dismiss any further conversation, with the approval of our advisory atty. What a poor excuse for vision. Let's all just cower till it's over.

    but

    Thank you Carole for speaking clearly about the idea of a committee to review the weighted voting, wards etc brought up by Victor. Great idea totally muddied by those on the stage till one wanted to scream - then you brought them all back in focus ... for a moment...

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  2. BarbJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Let's be Brillant!!

    Holcim does not believe its dock and property is worth $450,000. And, they do not want to sell or pay their share in taxes. I purpose the City of Hudson offer $750,000 or even a million for the property. If they agree to sell, I am sure we will be able to get the money....But it they refuse we have a new assessment. Isn't an assessment what someone is willing to spend on a property and proof of that price? Seems to me it is a game worth playing. Besides, I think they set the game rules.

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  3. Carole OsterinkJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Barb--Just to get the numbers straight. The dock property was reassessed this year at $4.5 million, which Holcim is grieving. They believe the assessment should be $1.5 million, which suggests that that's all they think the property should be worth.

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  4. Matthew FrederickJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    vmulford, I am not following what you are faulting Scalera and Roberts for. They notified Holcim of the city's desire to negotiate a purchase, and Holcim declined. Exactly what in this modest chain of events are you claiming they did wrong?

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  5. JenniferJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Let them have their $1.5 million assessment and then the City can take it by eminent domain, for the public good.

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  6. SlowArtJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    This is so dumb, it does not matter if they want to sell it. If the city wants to take it for the benefit of the community they can. The problem is there is no vision and no will to do it. Hudson needs a new mayor. Might as well forget about the waterfront and organize in that regard.

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  7. BarbJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Thanks Carole.

    The same philosophy could apply. Let's offer the actual assessment or even more. I believe it is a gamble our city should take. The waterfront is so valuable to our city.

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  8. VincentJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Matthew - proper chain of events would be the common council discussing the proposal and voting on it instead of being upstaged by the mayor.

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  9. Matthew FrederickJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Vincent, if the council had formally voted for the mayor to contact Holcim, wouldn't we be in the same position we are now in? i.e., if Holcim doesn't want to sell, they don't want to sell.

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