Three weeks after the Town of Colonie posted an request for proposals for the sale of the town’s portion of the Stony Creek Reservoir, approximately 963 acres, in Clifton Park, Town Councilwoman Nicole Criscione-Szesnat urged the board and Supervisor Paula Mahan to re-consider doing anything the town can to assure the property is sold to the Town of Clifton Park.
At a Town Board meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, Criscione-Szesnat read a letter she had written to the Board, explaining that she wishes the RFP that was introduced on Thursday, Sept. 23, be retracted and instead, the town work on its negotiations with Clifton Park.
Maybe Clifton Park will increase its offer, she said to Mahan, who explained that while she agrees that she would like to see the property sold to Clifton Park, it would have to be done in the best interest of the taxpayers, which includes coming at a higher offer than that which was originally provided by Clifton Park.
Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett, would not say how much Clifton Park had initially offered Colonie for the property, but He did say that, `It wasn’t $8.7 million,` as is being asked for on the RFP.
`I would love to see us come to an agreement with Clifton Park,` said Mahan. `There’s a ton of interest up there [for Clifton Park.] But we have a responsibility to the taxpayers.`
Mahan said that the town was trying to look at every option, and that if Clifton Park were to come up with another offer, Colonie would take a serious look at it. She also said that negotiations with Clifton Park are not closed at this time, but that the sale of this property is about a municipality trying to reach a goal that is taking in the most money for its taxpayers.
`There comes a point in time when we have an obligation to the taxpayers to get fair market value for the property,` she said.
But Barrett said the offer Clifton Park made was for more than its chalked up to be.
`I haven’t said anything about what we did offer than that it was very significant and that’s just far and above what the property’s worth, especially considering the restrictions that are currently on it,` he said.
Those restrictions prevent anyone-from either the Town of Clifton Park or Colonie-from using the property for recreational purposes, Barrett said, though he thinks that if both towns were to approach the state and dispute those restrictions, in partnership with the Open Space Institute, which also has interest in the property, the restrictions could be lifted and the land could be used as a park, featuring hiking and kayaking to name a few activities.
Part of the deal, to whoever purchases the property, maintains Colonie’s water rights on the property, as the Latham Water District’s emergency water source is located there, and though it has not needed to be tapped in several years, the town would like to have it if needed.
Barrett said Clifton Park was understanding of this, and would like to preserve the land and keep it as a park for the residents, whereas if a private developer purchases the property, it could be changed into any number of things.
`I think it would be a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for the two towns to work together and do the right thing,` Barrett said.
Mahan said she would like to work with Clifton Park, but only in a way that is fair for both parties.
`This administration would like nothing more than to negotiate with Clifton Park,` she said. `[But] Clifton Park has to be fair with us and we have to be fair with them.`
When asked if Clifton Park would consider putting in another offer, Barrett said, `They’re the ones that gave us the final offer. As far as I’m concerned, were still in negotiation and we’re hopeful that there can be an agreement in the near future.`
Also at the meeting, Town Attorney Michael Magguilli said the town is considering extending the Friday, Oct. 23, date in which RFPs are due to be submitted.
For more on this story, check back at www.spotlightnews.com, or read the Wednesday, Oct. 14 print edition of the Colonie Spotlight.“
