Editor, The Spotlight;
The Bethlehem Central School District is considering tax incentives for landowners who volunteer to have easements that protect their land from development. In exchange for this, they would get a break in their school taxes.
All of us who pay taxes in Bethlehem would see the financial benefits that come from these land easements. Land easements slow development in our rural areas, development that leads to increased demand on our schools, our police and emergency services, our water and sewer services, etc. Because of this, more development leads to higher school and town taxes for all.
Numerous scientifically verified studies show that when tax breaks are given for land easements, towns become more desirable places to live and property values increase throughout the town.
Land easements mean:
• A town that is a more desirable places to live
• Increase property values for the overall community
• Stabilized school and town taxes
• Protected farmland for future generations
Land easements do not mean:
• An unfair tax burden
• People are forced to give up their land or their rights
• The public can trespass on private land
Let us hope that the Bethlehem Central School District supports these tax incentives as they will create a better Bethlehem, with more stable taxes and a bright future for all.
Paul Tick
Bethlehem
