Petitioners urge the town supervisor and town board members to reject participation in and passage of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Rockland Green that would burden local taxpayers for 30 years with $40 million in payments of principal and interest on the debt for Rockland Green’s proposed animal shelter.

It is unreasonable to impose this tax on residents for 30 years to pay for a shelter that is oversized and overpriced as well as inconveniently located for the majority of the County’s residents. The area is environmentally unsound; it is situated in a flood zone, which is next to the Joint Sewer Authority which continuously emits noxious odors. Additionally, it sits between two landfills that release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas along with leaching heavy metal into the water table under the shelter. The shelter will be located across from a planned 454,000 square foot distribution warehouse, with over 70 tractor trailer bays and 24/7 trucking activity. The continuous noise and exhaust fumes from the warehouse’s incoming and outgoing truck traffic, the noxious odors from the sewer authority, and the dangerous methane emissions make the intended location for the shelter inappropriate for the not only the animals (who are highly susceptible to noise and odors) but for the health of the employees and volunteers.

The 30-year proposed tax does not include the ongoing operational costs of running the over-sized shelter, which will likely start out as more than double the cost of the debt service – which will also be a tax burden on residents. The first-year estimate (which has been grossly underestimated) is $2.5 million on top of $1.3 million in debt service, assuming no cost overruns. The cost to run the shelter is expected to increase 5% per year based on Rockland Green’s estimations. Based on past spending, the projected increase will likely be higher.

Shifting the tax burden from the Town and/or County books to Rockland Green is nothing more than misleading accounting. The taxes to residents will be the same whether they are imposed by the Towns, the County, or Rockland Green. By voting for and executing an intergovernmental agreement with little to no oversight, the Towns are effectively requiring residents to pay for a mismanaged, bloated project in a hazardous location in addition to the operation of the shelter for the next 30 years.

Burdening residents now with a 30-year commitment to whatever costs Rockland Green imposes, especially given its history of excessive debt and cost overruns is irresponsible. Rockland Green’s last major project (the Materials Recovery Facility) had over 100 change orders and exceeded its planned construction schedule and budget.

Town Officials need to take responsibility for Rockland Green’s poor decision making and revisit this project to protect their taxpayers and constituents. There are numerous better suited locations, and more cost-effective ways to build a shelter, including investing and improving the existing facility which has served residents for nearly 60 years.

Rockland County does not need a 28,000 square-foot shelter, nor should residents be over-taxed for 30 years for a poorly planned project. They deserve better stewardship from their elected officials.  Vote NO!