The cancer that killed Woodbury has infected Cornwall.

Priority #1: safeguard the NYMA property to protect the interests of the community. Any discussion of development plans can wait until AFTER Corwall's rights to the property are secure.

Originally, what was presented to the public by all involved was that these parcels were NOT to be developed unless and until they needed to be as a last resort! NYMA hasn't even had a chance to default on terms, let alone make good on them! Corts (and possibly Quigley - sorry, got to say it) is chomping at the bit to satisfy what is obviously his version of how things should be, of which is certainly NOT in the best interest of the Town of Cornwall.
It is also obvious that the issue at hand is much bigger than NYMA. The vulnerability of the town as a whole is quite apparent. At this point the investors, primarily Corts (with the support of Fields), have refused to cooperate with the town or put anything in writing, and have advised the NYMA 2.0 board in the same manner. THE TOWN IS AT EXTREME RISK!!! The Town must move immediately (if not already too late) to protect itself. (CUT FOR LENGTH)

Something needs to be done, very soon. Below is an edited version of a letter I have written to the town board. Please read & write to them yourselves. The board needs to hear from each of us:

My husband and I moved our family and business here from NJ, five years ago. We built a home and now reside in Cornwall on Hudson, as well as own another property in Cornwall, and pay property and school taxes to Cornwall, for each property.

We are appalled by what is happening regarding the NYMA property, and its potential development. It seems the town is being put in an extremely vulnerable position. The investors involved, Mr. Corts and Mr. Fields, do not seem to be cooperating with the town. They have not put anything in writing.

As residents and tax payers, we are requesting a special meeting be organized, to address the following issues:

1) Is the town moving forward with an offer to purchase NYMA or at least a PORTION of the property?

2) Was a formal offer to purchase ever extended to NYMA, thereby preserving our right to enter into condemnation / eminent domain proceedings?

3) To what extent has a coterminous town village been considered?
It is my understanding that the town attorney, could provide a legal opinion to the town as to General Municipal Law, Article 17, to annex all of the adjacent territory, or the right to petition the State Legislature, to adopt a special act creating the coterminous town-village under a ?home rule request". The public could submit a petition under Article Five of the Town Law, calling for the division of the existing town into two towns, one of which would have the same boundaries as an existing village, similar to what Mount Kisco and East Rochester did, which were also later ratified by state legislature.

I am a transplant to Cornwall, There are many long term residents, where are you in all of this? At recent meetings myself and others that recently moved here were present and supported the Supervisor, and the board with the building moratorium. Where are you Cornwall residents? Be prepared for severe losses to your property values and diminished school district if you dont follow the advice of Ms.Skigen and Tamberino. They are (volunteering)acting out of concern not only for their property values but for the best interest of the community. I am perplexed that Randy Clark resigned from NYMA? Can another Cornwall Town representative participate as a non - voting member to NYMA?

Seems Rachael Skigen's past posts were quite prophetic. I had a strong feeling she was correct and her warnings seem to be playing out.
I hope the Town listens to what she has said in past posts. Now with Mr Clark resigning is another red flag.

Oh you have not seen anything yet! Wait till you see the tactics deployed against Cornwall by "The Woodbury Cancer" you will be aghast! This kind of cancer requires radical surgery to be removed, chemo left Woodbury frail and weak with no immune system to fight the "Cancer".

I was on the NYMA 2.0 Team and I wish that we had gotten 6 million in donations instead of refinancing. But that was what we could do in that short amount of time. Now, the town needs to do what is best for the town, its present and future. I am a supporter of Mr. Clark, and understand his frustration, but the town must not use his break from the NYMA board as an excuse to back off. It is better for NYMA to owe the town the debt for shared use property than for NYMA to have to develop and hand over the land or buildings to outsiders. I agree there is concern that we are already discussing the terms of default when the first payment hasn't even been scheduled yet. But Cornwall shouldn't waste its time figuring out why, as much as figuring out how to push through. Don't sit back and wait until we are in the emergency situation the last Board put us in. Please start talking to your neighbors, co-workers, etc., this can't be Cornwall's lost battle.

In reference to Mr. Schneider's comment - there are probably plenty of people that have lived here for decades and have watched their property taxes and school taxes escalate to unmanageable levels. If you are living on a fixed income you would probably welcome development to reduce your property value and thus, your taxes, and increase the tax base. Some folks are struggling to the extent that they are not really worried about NYMA because they can barely pay the taxes on homes that they have lived in for 40 or 50 years. If the NYMA buy out/bail out can not be arranged the town and village boards should at least be looking at zoning to control growth.

Kate,
Religous groups typically skirt paying taxes. If the culture of the village changes the value of the properties will likely decrease. People from other areas will not want to move here except those that desire to reside with the culture that is exploring options to obtain NYMA (as cited in this on-line newspaper). Why is Cornwall on Auto - Pilot?

Kate and another thing,
Taxes rarely decrease. I do suopport those that are on fixed incomes and would not want to see anyone defeated by debt. There is a true need for residents to become active in preserving the NYMA land, perhaps for development, but in a way that benefits not negates our community.