Board to Support Tax Credit Legislation
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The Garden City Board of Trustees voted 6 to 1 in favor of drafting a letter to both houses of the New York State Legislature in support of legislation that would raise the tax credit rate from six to 30 percent and remove the $100,000 cap.

Trustee Robert Rothschild was the only one to oppose the measure at the Board's June 7th meeting. He expressed concern that trustees were acting hastily without understanding the issue and the implications of the legislation.

Peter Negri, president of the St. Paul's Conservancy Corporation, sent a letter to the Board asking for their support. He said the legislation has been endorsed by the New York Conference of Mayors. If enacted, the legislation could bring additional funding to historic preservation redevelopments across the state, including St. Paul's.

Negri's corporation is one of three finalists being considered for the redevelopment of the building. Their proposal includes making use of federal and New York State rehabilitation tax credits. They estimate the total gross cost of the project to be more than $45 million, meaning the "average home," which is a home assessed at $13,200, will have to pay an additional $100 in Village taxes per year for 20 years. Residents may see that figure decrease if the proposed legislation is passed and the project receives more funding.

In other news, the Board voted unanimously to renew two one-year agreements with Adelphi University for the use of parking fields at Community Park, and a one-year agreement with Cathedral Nursery School that allows them to lease the cottages on the St. Paul's campus. In regard to the nursery school, Trustee Thomas Lamberti said this will be the last renewal he approves and the school should look for other quarters. He is concerned that the Board is allowing a private use on land that has been designated for the public. The school has been leasing the cottages for six years and has made several modifications to the building.

Garden City resident Kathleen Auro said if the Board decides not to renew the lease for the nursery school in the future, she hopes they have plans to have "something very positive" occupy the buildings. She said the school has greatly improved both the inside and outside of the cottages.

She urged residents to visit the school and see the improvements. "I don't have any association with it other than I go and read to 3- and 4-year-olds, and have lots of fun doing it," she said.

Mayor Peter Bee announced that Bookspan is laying off hundreds of employees at its Garden City facility. The company expects that many employees from its New York City location will transfer to the Long Island building.

Trustee Lamberti requested that the Board consider the removal of the snow fence along the St. Paul's property on Stewart Avenue for July and August. The item will be on the agenda at the next meeting, scheduled for June 21st.