Q&A on Schoharie Highbridge

3/23/2023

By Patsy Nicosia

Without a $6 million FAST NY grant, there will be no Highbridge project in Schoharie.
With it?
Nearly $10 million in additional tax and other revenues over the next 15 years.
“We cannot continue increasing property taxes We can only increase the size of our economy,” Schoharie County Administrator Korsah Akumfi told members of the Schoharie Planning Board Tuesday at their first public hearing on the proposed project.
“This is an important project. Please look into it.”
Neighbors to the I-88/Route 7 site, however, weren’t convinced, citing concern over noise, traffic, water, and pollution.
“We need to think longterm when we look at this project,” said Jessica Kirby, whose family owns the nearby Apple Barrel.
“It’s not Field of Dreams. If you build it, they might not come. Our economy can exist just like this.”
The public hearing will remain open until at least the next Planning Board meeting on April 18.
Written comments—pro or con—can be submitted to the Town of Schoharie Planning Board, PO Box 544, 300 Main Street, Schoharie, NY 12157.
They can also be emailed to schoharietown-clerk@midtel.net.
In addition, all of Highbridge Development’s filings can be found online at www4.schohariecounty-ny.gov/government/town-of-schoharie/highbridgedevelopment/.
Consultant Michael D’Nolo of the MRB Group ran through the project’s potential economic impact for the crowd of about 75.
An estimated 287 jobs—both construction and once the warehouse is open—will be worth about $250 million in wages over 15 years, he said.
A PILOT will mean $7.3 million in additional taxes to the county, town, and Schoharie Central School; additional sales tax and water and sewer fees will add about $2.2 million.
Planning Board members asked for clarification on those figures; Mr. D’Nolo said Highbridge expects to pull half of its construction materials and half of its construction labor from the county.
“You need concrete. You need lumber,” he said.
SEEC CEO Julie Pacatte said they plan to apply for a $6 million NY FAST grant for things like traffic lights—DOT wants at least two—and sidewalks—and there’s already a local match of $1 million.
NY FAST was “launched to do exactly this,” she said.
That prompted Planning Board member Joe Bozicevich to ask Highbridge’s Matt Roth if the project is dependent on the $6 million.
Yes, Mr. Roth said, though sometimes there’s room for negotiation for less.
Speaking for both herself and neighbors Erhard and Kathleen Kuntze, Kelly Shultes said she’s concerned about noise and pollution from idling trucks.
There won’t be any, Mr. Roth said, and as the landlord, they’ll be managing the property and can prohibit or fine it.
Colm Kennedy criticized plans for a PILOT when existing properties are assessed at market value; Kim Vescova, another neighbor, said she’s not opposed to growth and jobs—just not “built on top of taxpayers’ backs with PILOTs.”
Carlos Teixeria, who owns Dunkin’ Donuts, said progress brings jobs and based what he heard from tHighbridge and SEEC Tuesday, he said, he supports the project.