Reassessment of Town Properties is Likely.

A number of articles in local publications have tried to put some perspective on the proposed reassessment of properties within the Town of Riverhead. Essentially, the Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale is for it while other Town Board members have expressed reservations. It has been some thirty (30) years since the Town assessed properties within it's borders and many feel that it is about time to bring things up to date. Can't really argue with that premise except to admonish the Town fathers for not keeping things current so that we aren't put into shock mode when the assessment results are published.

While Densieski and Dunleavy object to the possible effect reassessment will have on fixed income seniors, others, including ourselves have to be concerned about how the plan will effect those of us who occupy the highest taxed residential properties: new construction. Cardinale says that reassessment will increase taxes on some properties, lower it on some and leave some just as they are. In other words, he suggests that the reassessment will just balance out the taxes across the board and not increase the take to the Town coffers.

The cost to conduct the reassessment has been estimated between one and three million dollars. I don't believe the Town will spend that kind of money unless they expect to reap at least that much and more in return and if you believe it I've got some land in the Everglades you can have real cheap.

Wall-Mart, a Hard Sell in Riverhead

A Town Hall public hearing was called recently to review a DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) regarding the proposed construction of a new Wal-Mart at the west end of Route 58 (opposite Tanger). While the Board called the meeting to review the DEIS it really turned quickly to a review of the public's objections and approvals of the proposed 146,000 square foot project.

Simply put, the unions which represent the the food and commercial retail employees object to approving Wal-Mart because they are not unionized and that the pay scales (avg $20,000) are based on part time work. On the other hand, the building and construction trade unions recommend approval because they want their members to work on the proposed construction. Both positions are understandable and now it is up to the Board to move to the next step. Incidentally this proposal is a substitute for one which would have brought a Lowes to the same location. That proposal had been previously rejected by the Board.

Have you noticed that no matter how many major commercial operations are proposed in this Town, that there is never any mention of reducing the taxes for the residents.