IDA Will Hold Another Hearing On Afton Tax Break
Published: October 18th, 2007
By: Michael McGuire

NORWICH – The citizens of Afton will have another chance to gather information and voice their opinions on a deal that would save an outside lumber company upwards of $197,000 in taxes over the next decade if it buys a failing saw mill in the town.

But it’s hard to see how any more public comments will sway the matter, a few officials involved in granting the tax exemption say.

Owego-based Wagner Lumber is asking for what’s called a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement from the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency.

The PILOT would act as a tax incentive for Wagner to purchase the Pomeroy Lumber mill, located in Ninevah on the outskirts of Afton.

The IDA is authorized by the state to grant such exemptions – without public vote – to industrial businesses that it judges will create or retain jobs.

Roughly 20 Afton residents who attended a September public hearing that was required before the tax exemption can be approved said they weren’t properly notified about the PILOT agreement or the hearing.

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They were further angered that it was held at 10 a.m. on a weekday.

“It’s a valid argument that not everyone can make it during the day,” said IDA board member Tom Knapp.

Public notices for the first public hearing were posted in both the Tri-Town News and The Evening Sun, but some Afton residents argued that they receive neither publication.

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The Evening Sun

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