But Did You Pinkie Swear? (Preswick Glen)

Not too long ago keeping your word was something most people took pretty seriously.  Not because there was a written contract that lawyers could later force you to uphold, but because backing down from a promise was a poor reflection on one’s character.  One can’t help but wonder that if those in elected office, having been entrusted with the privilege to make promises on the behalf of others, should fail to honor that promise, would it be fair to say that a town or even a nation’s character might be found questionable?  Just wondering.   

Preswick Glen, an independent living retirement community in the town of New Hartford, New York, has been informed on the eve of the community’s Phase I completion that the tax-exempt status agreed upon in 2001 between the town Board and the Preswick Glen developers just might not be a satisfactory arrangement after all.    

According to a UticaOd.com article, it appears that there was a 30-year agreement signed between Preswick Glen and the town of New Hartford regarding the community’s  future tax responsibilities.  This agreement would not exclude Preswick Glen from total tax liability, but instead would begin with an initial substantially-discounted tax rate with a gradual increase over a 30-year period.     

The reason cited for the mutually agreed-upon lowered tax rate for Preswick Glen is that the community operated by Preswick Glen, Inc., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc., which is a non-profit organization. 

With the ink on this contract barely dry, it seems that there’s been a change of heart regarding the particulars of this contract.  There are those who fear the loss of tax revenue, especially  with regard to school taxes, will be too enormous to overlook. The argument is being made that a tax-exempt status should be reserved for communities that cater only to seniors at lower income levels and that Preswick Glen residents would not fit that category. 

No doubt the Preswick Glen development has brought construction and other jobs to the community and will no doubt add numerous other benefits to the community as well.  But there are always other circumstances involved in a dispute of this size, and it will be interesting to watch the particulars of this potentially precedent-setting situation unfold.      

Of the 126 residences being built at Preswick Glen, there are 93 of those on reserve.  It would be interesting to question these seniors as to whether they are concerned that their own agreed-upon expenses of living at Preswick Glen would also rise should the Board rescind its previous agreement.  And what about community ill will?  Will the community look at these new Preswick Glen residents as yet another group of greedy rich folk unwilling to pay their fair share to support the community — even though none of these seniors were involved in the tax-exempt negotiation?

For the sake of the Preswick Glen residents and the community at large, hopefully a speedy and fair resolution to the matter will occur.

(Original UticaOD.com article)

Promises are like crying babies.  They should be carried out right away.  –Norman Vincent Peale