Saugerties pursues casino talks

By Hallie Arnold , Freeman staff Daily Freeman May 10, 2005

SAUGERTIES - Town officials have told Gov. George Pataki that they want to continue discussions with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma about siting a casino at the Winston Farm.
In an April 21 letter to Pataki, town Supervisor Gregory Helsmoortel said the Town Board unanimously supports pursuing ongoing discussions with the tribe, which has proposed a $500 million complex that includes a casino, hotel, convention center, entertainment venue and 27-hole golf course on an 840-acre property at the intersection of state Routes 32 and 212.
But Helsmoortel and members of the Town Board say the letter should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the proposal, but rather an indication that the town wants to gather as much information as possible in order to make an educated decision about it.
He said board members agreed that they wanted to learn more about the Seneca-Cayuga's proposal during Town Board discussion on April 20. No formal motion was made and no vote was taken.
Helsmoortel, Deputy Supervisor Fred Costello Jr., a Republican, and Councilman Thomas Macarille, a Democrat, all say there's not enough information on hand yet to make a decision either for or against the proposal.
"Everything is so speculative because the developers don't have a concrete plan they can show us," said Costello.
"The first thing the town of Saugerties, in my opinion, needs to do is one, I think we need to have them provide us with an impact statement for the town, and number two, I believe we need to find some attorneys who are versed in Indian affairs," said Macarille.
Helsmoortel said he's pressing tribal officials and Thomas Wilmot, the Rochester-based developer who has an option on the Winston Farm property, to have a public meeting so that locals can talk directly with them to learn more about the proposal. He said at this time, there are no official agreements between any of the parties involved, including the developer and the tribe.
While tribal officials have not yet met with Ulster County leadership, according to notes taken at an April 27 meeting between representatives of the Seneca-Cayuga tribe and local political leaders and town officials, the tribe is planning on negotiating a deal with the county similar to one county officials negotiated with the Modoc Tribe for a possible casino in Wawarsing: A $15 million annual payment-in-lieu-of-taxes.
The town would then have to seek compensation for any increases in town costs caused by the casino from the county.
"You can be assured the town's going to go after a pretty good portion of that," said Helsmoortel, who said his greatest concern is the impact on the school district.
Legislature Chairman Richard Gerentine, R-Marlboro, said the county will get involved in negotiations in the "very near future."
"We will have a very active role, it's just a little premature at this time," he said.
Tribal officials have met with two Legislature Democrats that opposed the county's deal with the Modocs. Peter Kraft, R-Glenford, and Robert Parete, D-Boiceville, said they were contacted by the tribe because of their opposition to the previous proposal, and met with Chief Leroy Howard about two weeks ago.
Helsmoortel said of Winston Farm property that the tribe will only be able set 100 acres aside in trust, or sovereign nation status, which exempts then from paying property or school taxes. The remaining acreage would be taxable, which may include the golf course and other profitable ventures. He also said the tribe has agreed to pay sales tax, which is collected by the county and shared with the city of Kingston and the 20 Ulster County towns.
According to Costello, no additional meetings are currently scheduled between elected town officials and the tribe, which is currently working with the town engineer, planner, and water and sewer officials to learn more about the infrastructure available for development in Saugerties.

©Daily Freeman 2005

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