1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:12,559 Hey, good afternoon. Welcome to the Santo County Board of Supervisors 2 00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:18,240 September 9th public hearing. Um, I assume attendance has been taken. 3 00:00:15,839 --> 00:00:21,920 Uh, I'll call this public hearing on a proposed local law identified as 4 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:29,599 introductory number five, print number one of 2026 entitled a local law 5 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:35,680 authorizing full property tax exemption for certain 100% permanent and total 6 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:39,360 service disabled veterans to order. Will the clerk please read the notice of 7 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:45,280 public hearing? >> Notice of public hearing. Take notice 8 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:49,600 that pursuant to resolution 235 of 2026, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors 9 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:55,600 will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. or as 10 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:59,600 soon thereafter as the board can convene in the meeting room of the Saratoga 11 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:05,199 County Board of Supervisors, 40 McMaster Street, Boston Spa, New York 122, on the 12 00:01:02,879 --> 00:01:10,640 local law identified as introductory number five, print number one of 2026 13 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:16,240 entitled a local law authorizing full property tax exemption for certain 100% 14 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:20,799 permanent and total service disabled veterans. Take further notice that at 15 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:24,560 this hearing, all persons wishing to speak will be heard. Written 16 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:29,119 communications may be emailed to public comment at Saratoga County.gov or by 17 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:32,640 mail address to clerk of the board, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, 40 18 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:36,159 McMaster Street, Boston Spa, New York1202. 19 00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:41,520 Which public comment must be received by September 9th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Copies 20 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:47,079 of the proposed local law are available in the office of the clerk of the board 21 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:47,079 and online at www.saratoga.gov. 22 00:01:47,439 --> 00:01:52,880 All right, I know we have some speakers signed up today. So, if you could please 23 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:57,040 when you approach the microphone when your name is called, state your name and 24 00:01:55,200 --> 00:02:01,600 address for the record. You have three minutes to speak. This program was made 25 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:06,399 available by New York State. Uh the guidelines and guardrails, if you will, 26 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:12,160 of the program are outlined in the legislation and associated documents 27 00:02:09,119 --> 00:02:18,160 provided by New York State. uh local taxing uh jurisdictions such as Saratoga 28 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:23,599 County, municipalities and others have the opportunity to opt into the program. 29 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:28,080 And this is something that uh Saratoga County uh wanted to move forward and 30 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:34,000 make sure we had this on the agenda so we could hear from Saratoga County 31 00:02:30,319 --> 00:02:40,000 residents about their thoughts on this measure and the possible adoption by the 32 00:02:36,959 --> 00:02:45,440 Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. So, uh, I'll ask Bridget to please read, 33 00:02:43,519 --> 00:02:50,080 uh, the names in the order that they were signed in. 34 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:54,080 » David Lockheart from Hadley. >> Good afternoon, Supervisor Barrett. All 35 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:59,200 elected officials. My name is David Lockhart. Uh, I live at 34 Riverview 36 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:02,800 Drive in Hadley, New York. I'm a 27-year member of the American Legion. Been a 37 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:07,599 county commander three times, and I just came off a one-year uh, appointment as a 38 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:12,640 national historian. I participated in the deceased veterans 39 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:17,440 program here for the last 15 years. Saratoga County has been a beacon of 40 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:22,080 supporting veterans and their families and I want to commend this board of 41 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:26,640 supervisors for unanimously voting for this resolution 42 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:31,360 and I sincerely wish that this gets adopted. Thank you. 43 00:03:28,959 --> 00:03:38,159 Thank you, Dave. And uh thank you for your involvement in making our uh 44 00:03:34,799 --> 00:03:44,560 monthly in uh deceased veteran of the month uh for Saratoga County so 45 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:48,319 successful over the years. Um next up, Bridget, 46 00:03:46,879 --> 00:03:52,920 » Bill Gor, >> Bill Gorum from Saratoga Springs. 47 00:03:56,319 --> 00:04:01,920 » Good afternoon. >> How you doing? is Bill Goram. I grew up 48 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:08,720 and was raised in the town of Greenfield on the Locust Grove Road. I volunteered 49 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:12,080 to go to Vietnam. I wanted to go and at the time we all thought that we were 50 00:04:10,319 --> 00:04:18,079 stopping communism from coming right to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. 51 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:25,840 As history shows, that isn't exactly what happened. But I gave up my time and 52 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:33,520 uh I uh feel that we're entitled to special things. Those things are to be 53 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:37,600 told, "Thank you for your service." And of course, that's gotten to be kind of 54 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:41,280 old hand at this point. And when I go to Home Depot, I might get 55 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:47,280 a little annoyed and so forth. And Vietnam veterans are unlike some of the 56 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:53,520 others. I'm very proud that we went. But I came back in 1971, went into the 57 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:59,759 Aderondack Trust Company on Broadway, and I asked to see the loan officer 58 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:08,720 because I thought that I had the right to purchase a home under the VA uh 59 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:12,960 bill that allows you to buy a home. The loan officer came down from 60 00:05:10,479 --> 00:05:17,120 upstairs, sat down across from me. I had a business plan. There was a house for 61 00:05:14,479 --> 00:05:22,320 sale for $64,000 on North Broadway, one of those big huge places. I was going to 62 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:26,400 turn it into four different apartments, live in one. I had the plan and 63 00:05:24,639 --> 00:05:30,639 everything. I didn't have all the information. Clearly, the man that sat 64 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:36,400 across the table from me could have clearly said to me, 65 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:40,240 "Sir, you've got it wrong. This is for a single family dwelling." And that would 66 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:44,160 have ended it. But he didn't. He sat across from me and he said, "Here at the 67 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:48,240 Adarand Deck Trust Company, we don't do veterans loans. And if we did, I don't 68 00:05:46,479 --> 00:05:55,280 think we'd give a Vietnam veteran a loan." That's a true story. So for the 69 00:05:51,840 --> 00:06:00,800 next 35 years, I stayed away from the VA hospital. I stayed away from all those 70 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:07,840 things. Even I belong to the VFW, but barely ever went there and in Saratoga 71 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:13,919 Springs. And this would be a really nice thing at this point. I've now been 72 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:18,800 diagnosed with it's peripheral neuropathy. And the VA does not like to 73 00:06:16,639 --> 00:06:23,919 give out compensation for things. However, I have no feeling on my feet, 74 00:06:21,199 --> 00:06:31,199 my toes, or my fingertips. My balance is awful. And they said it's 75 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:36,880 not diabetes. It's not your back. It's Agent Orange from Vietnam. 56 years ago, 76 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:42,400 they sprayed us, said they were killing the mosquitoes, and we were all in favor 77 00:06:39,039 --> 00:06:46,720 of that back then. But like myself, there's a lot of older vets that could 78 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:50,880 really use on a being on a fixed income could really use this benefit. And it 79 00:06:49,199 --> 00:06:55,840 means an awful lot that the county stands up for this. And it'd be hard 80 00:06:53,759 --> 00:07:00,240 place for Saratoga and some of these other communities to not give us the 81 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:05,759 same exemption. I thank you for your time. Um, thank you very much for 82 00:07:03,599 --> 00:07:13,639 considering this. Bye. >> Thank you for your service, sir. 83 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:13,639 » Frank Mcccle, Waterford. 84 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:21,520 » Good afternoon, supervisors. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. My name is 85 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:26,160 Frank Mcccleman. I reside at 84 Clipton Street, Waterford. Uh, I'd like to read 86 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:28,800 uh, and I'm going to paraphrase some of this. I know this letter has been 87 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:33,360 distributed to the board, but I'd like to read it to be entered into the public 88 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:37,759 record. Uh when this property tax exemption was first discussed, I know 89 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:42,800 that there were some folks who may or may not have agreed with it um or 90 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:47,120 thought that it might be a burden on our neighbors. And while there's a little 91 00:07:45,039 --> 00:07:52,560 bit of truth to that, uh I don't think it's a burden that is at the level that 92 00:07:49,039 --> 00:07:57,840 it was painted. Um but I'll I'll I'll read on. Uh the recent debate 93 00:07:56,240 --> 00:08:00,960 surrounding New York's property tax exemption for veterans who have been 94 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:04,960 determined by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to be 100% permanently 95 00:08:03,039 --> 00:08:10,160 and totally disabled has become about much more than public policy. In some 96 00:08:07,599 --> 00:08:14,800 cases, it has revealed misconceptions about the purpose of the exemption and 97 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:19,199 unfortunately attitudes toward disabled veterans that deserve thoughtful 98 00:08:16,479 --> 00:08:23,520 reflection. Reasonable people can debate the fiscal impact of any legislation. 99 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:28,000 Communities have a responsibility to understand how new laws affect local 100 00:08:25,919 --> 00:08:31,919 budgets and taxpayers. And those discussions are both appropriate and 101 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:35,440 necessary. What should not be questioned, however, is whether these 102 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:40,000 veterans deserve the exemption because of what they earn, what benefits they 103 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:42,640 receive, or whether they continue to work. 104 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:46,160 comments suggesting that disabled veterans are somehow less deserving 105 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:51,040 because they received disability compensation, military retirement, 106 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:56,320 social security, or or who have built successful careers fundamentally 107 00:08:53,360 --> 00:09:01,279 misunderstand why this exemption exists. This exemption has never been about 108 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:06,720 financial need. It is about sacrifice. VA disability compensation is not public 109 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:10,720 assistance. It is compensation for permanent injuries, illnesses, and 110 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:14,560 disabilities that were incurred or aggravated while serving the United 111 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:18,720 States. It represents our nation's commitment to those whose lives were 112 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:22,800 permanently changed in military service. The question should never be whether a 113 00:09:20,399 --> 00:09:27,120 disabled veteran earns too much to deserve recognition. Success after 114 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:32,000 military service does not erase the physical or emotional consequence of 115 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:36,560 service connected disabilities. We should celebrate veterans who overcome 116 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:40,399 extraordinary adversity, not resent them for rebuilding productive lives despite 117 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:44,160 the challenges they continue to face every day. 118 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:49,519 No one would willingly choose chronic pain, PTSD, amputations, paralysis, 119 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:53,279 hearing loss, cancer from toxic exposures, or poisoned water, or 120 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:58,320 countless other service connected disabilities simply because compensation 121 00:09:55,839 --> 00:10:03,200 accompanies those sacrifices. Military service is unlike any other 122 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:07,360 profession. Many veterans volunteered during times of war. Others were drafted 123 00:10:05,839 --> 00:10:12,399 and served because their country required it. They accepted the risks 124 00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:18,320 most Americans never face. Today, while military service remains voluntary, 125 00:10:14,959 --> 00:10:22,320 relatively few choose that path. Like any government program, there may be 126 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:25,360 isolated cases of abuse. Those rare exceptions should never define the 127 00:10:23,839 --> 00:10:29,360 overwhelming majority of disabled veterans who served honorably, 128 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:33,279 sacrificed greatly, and contribute to their communities. The overwhelming 129 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:37,440 majority of veterans are precisely the kind of neighbors every community should 130 00:10:34,959 --> 00:10:42,720 hope to attract. They buy homes, they raise families, they volunteer, operate 131 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:48,800 businesses, support local charities, and strengthen local economies. Uh just for 132 00:10:46,399 --> 00:10:54,000 a little hint, and I know I'm over time, uh return on investment for VA benefits 133 00:10:50,959 --> 00:11:00,160 in Saratoga County. Last year in direct cash payments to beneficiaries, our 134 00:10:56,240 --> 00:11:06,079 economy benefited from over $75 million in VA benefits to veterans. We've got 135 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:10,640 just over 14,000 veterans in our county. That doesn't count our families that are 136 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:14,399 here. Uh full disclosure, I am the director of veteran services. I have 137 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:18,240 some clients in the room here who are supporting this. Some of them are on 138 00:11:16,079 --> 00:11:23,519 their second 100% rating for different cancers related to Agent Orange. I see 139 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:29,200 the folks that are hurt the most. I been doing this for 16 years. This county I 140 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:33,920 have never not felt supported and I I feel supported today. I know this board 141 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:37,760 is considering this law. Saratoga County is taking the lead. I'm proud to be a 142 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:44,040 Saratoga County veteran and I thank you all for your time. 143 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:44,040 » Thank you, Frank. Irwin 144 00:11:47,839 --> 00:11:55,200 Dominz, North umberland. >> Good afternoon, members of the board. 145 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:59,200 Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak today. My name is 146 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:04,000 Irwin Dominguez, 51 Bmpton Lane, Gansvort, New York. And I stand before 147 00:12:02,079 --> 00:12:08,240 you as a veterans whose life has been permanently changed by military service. 148 00:12:06,399 --> 00:12:12,720 I live every day with the invisible with the invisible invisible wounds of war, 149 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:16,320 PTSD, chronic respiratory issues from toxic exposures and additional service 150 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:21,279 connected ailments that continue to affect my health, my daily functioning, 151 00:12:18,639 --> 00:12:25,600 and my future. These are not injuries I choose. They are the price of defending 152 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:29,600 our nation. I am here to speak in support of adopting the full property 153 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:36,000 tax exemption for veterans who are rated 100% permanently and totally disabled. 154 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:41,120 This is not merely a tax matter. It is a question on how a grateful community 155 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:46,079 chooses to honor the sacrifice of those who lives have been fundamentally 156 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:50,240 altered while serving their country. The debate is not about financial need. It's 157 00:12:47,839 --> 00:12:54,399 it's about sacrifice. As a Saratoga County Veterans Service 158 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:58,240 Agency clearly outlined, disability compensation is not a public assistance. 159 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:04,000 It is recognition for injuries and illnesses incurred in service to the 160 00:13:00,079 --> 00:13:07,839 United States. Many veterans like myself will carry those injuries for the rest 161 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:13,600 of their lives. No one would willingly choose caught chronic pain, PTSD, toxic 162 00:13:10,079 --> 00:13:18,000 exposure, illnesses, hearing loss, foot issues, or loss of mobility simply 163 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:21,200 because compensation accompanies those sacrifices. 164 00:13:19,519 --> 00:13:26,880 These conditions permanently reshape every aspect of life, physical, mental, 165 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:30,560 emotional, and economic. Veterans who are rated 100% permanent in total have 166 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:34,560 endured the greatest level of service connected disability as recognized by 167 00:13:32,399 --> 00:13:39,279 the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Their exemption reflects a promise made 168 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:43,920 made long ago that if a service member sacrificed their health for our nation, 169 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:47,920 the nation, and its communities would honor that sacrifice through meaningful 170 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:51,680 relief and support. There are several reasons why this 171 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:56,000 exemption matters deeply. These disabilities are lifelong and 172 00:13:53,279 --> 00:14:00,160 irreversible. Veterans did not choose them and recovery is not possible. The 173 00:13:58,560 --> 00:14:05,760 exemption acknowledges the permanent impact of service on their lives. 174 00:14:03,680 --> 00:14:09,760 Success after service does not erase disability. Some disabled veterans 175 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:13,680 continue to work, volunteer, or contribute in their communities. But 176 00:14:11,839 --> 00:14:18,320 that does not mean the consequences of their injuries disappear. As the Veteran 177 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:21,839 Service Agency just noted, we should celebrate veterans who rebuild their 178 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:25,920 lives, not penalize them for overcoming adversity. 179 00:14:23,519 --> 00:14:31,040 The exemption encourages healthy, stable communities. Disabled veterans are often 180 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:35,519 deeply engaged citizens. They buy homes, raise families, volunteer, operate small 181 00:14:33,839 --> 00:14:39,519 businesses, and strengthen local communities. These are exactly the kind 182 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:44,320 of residents any community should want to attract and retain. The impact on the 183 00:14:42,399 --> 00:14:48,480 average taxpayer is modest. While the total reduction in his assessed value 184 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:53,040 can appear large, it does not equate to significant increases in individual tax 185 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:58,959 bills, presenting only large aggregate numbers creates an incomplete picture of 186 00:14:55,680 --> 00:15:02,959 their true fiscal impact on households. Saratoga County has the opportunity to 187 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:06,480 join the governor of the and the state of New York in recognizing and honoring 188 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:10,079 these veterans by adopting this exemption. Disabled veterans should not 189 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:14,160 be treated as everyone else because our experiences are not like everyone 190 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:18,160 else's. We gave our pieces. We gave pieces of ourselves, pieces we will 191 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:23,600 never get back so our communities could live in safety and freedom. I urge you 192 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:27,519 to adopt the the full property tax exemption by 100% permanently and to 193 00:15:25,519 --> 00:15:31,839 total disabled veterans and demonstrate that Saratoga County not only speaks 194 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:35,760 gratitude but loves it. Thank you for your time and consideration. 195 00:15:34,399 --> 00:15:41,760 » Thank you, sir. Thank you for your service. 196 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:44,000 » Jeffrey Tratier Trhatier. Sorry if I butchered your last name. 197 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:47,839 » Former supervisor. >> Yeah, former supervisor. I see you still 198 00:15:45,839 --> 00:15:52,639 have my picture up, but uh Jeff Troutier. Uh I live in Lakeern, 122 199 00:15:50,399 --> 00:15:58,639 Smith Mountain Road, but I'm here as an advocate and past member of this of this 200 00:15:55,279 --> 00:16:03,440 board and also uh on the veterans committee at the a few years ago. Uh I 201 00:16:01,279 --> 00:16:07,839 know that Saratoga County takes great care of their veterans as an advocate 202 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:12,160 for this and then one that wants to know more about how to move forward with this 203 00:16:10,079 --> 00:16:16,639 process. not only here but in the community that I live and also 204 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:23,360 throughout the state. There's been there has been some confusion as to what this 205 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:27,440 bill or what this real property law 458 alpha is all about. A lot of people 206 00:16:25,759 --> 00:16:32,079 still think it's mandatory no matter what. But as you know this board by 207 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:36,800 having this public hearing it it has gotten down into the local and uh town 208 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:41,920 level county level for local adoption based on budget needs. Having looked at 209 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:46,480 some of the budgetary issues that uh not ju not only this county might have but 210 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:51,440 in the county that I live in as well right now I'm being told and the numbers 211 00:16:48,959 --> 00:16:57,839 that I see that I data crunch is that what less than 1% of the uh parcel 212 00:16:55,839 --> 00:17:02,320 homeowners that own parcels primary homes are even eligible for this. So 213 00:17:00,639 --> 00:17:07,760 we're talking about a very very small fraction. They have to be 100% disabled 214 00:17:05,199 --> 00:17:13,439 as you as you know, but also they also have to be permanently um and total 215 00:17:10,559 --> 00:17:18,400 disabled not as by what a doctor says, but as what the VA says. Individuals 216 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:25,919 don't assign that. My point is is that this is a very high bar to even to even 217 00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:31,520 get for a homeowner or a veteran to even even obtain. And uh you've heard some of 218 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:36,000 the stories here today. Um, I served in Iraq and I' and and in Afghanistan. I 219 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:40,080 volunteered to go to Afghanistan and I've seen the pain and suffering that 220 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:44,160 some of some members have. I've even some family members and even some 221 00:17:41,679 --> 00:17:48,320 members that I know that won't come forward with what they have. So, I urge 222 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:53,039 this board, if I can, even though I don't live in this county anymore, to to 223 00:17:50,799 --> 00:17:57,679 really take a hard look at this and uh support it and uh pass it in order for 224 00:17:55,919 --> 00:18:01,520 full board resolution to take care of those members that I uh that the 225 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:05,760 members, the veterans that are here that I would call my brothers and sisters uh 226 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:10,240 in arms. So, for that, I thank you very much for your time and uh good luck with 227 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:15,120 it. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you. 228 00:18:13,679 --> 00:18:19,760 Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service to this board on behalf 229 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:23,799 of the town of Hadley. >> Gary Chapla, Boston. 230 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:36,000 » Good afternoon. My name is uh Gunry Sergeant Gary Chapla, retired US Marine 231 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:42,480 Corps. Uh I served in uh combat as an infantry men in Fallujah, Iraq, and I am 232 00:18:39,679 --> 00:18:49,120 uh permanent and total disabled from my uh combat service. 233 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:57,679 Um besides uh I'm lifelong resident of Saratoga County except for my during my 234 00:18:52,400 --> 00:19:03,120 service to the country and um I hope you adapt this uh resolution 235 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:11,120 um myself being permanent told disabled um 236 00:19:08,559 --> 00:19:17,600 being able to live comfortably in in Saratoga and in uh New work is very 237 00:19:15,039 --> 00:19:25,760 difficult uh financially. Um myself and other friends of mine uh 238 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:32,720 uh disabled veterans um we look at moving towards to uh 239 00:19:29,679 --> 00:19:38,160 states like Florida or Texas where they have this 240 00:19:34,559 --> 00:19:45,760 uh not paying uh the taxes. Uh when I saw this in the news and it was brought 241 00:19:40,559 --> 00:19:52,080 up uh I was ecstatic uh cuz uh this would give me the chance to uh stay in 242 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:58,160 my uh beloved county of Saratoga. Um with the 250th 243 00:19:54,240 --> 00:20:04,080 anniversary of our nation and uh also the battle of Saratoga, the turning 244 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:12,640 point of our revolution. Um, I think it's just fitting to uh adapt this to uh 245 00:20:09,039 --> 00:20:17,360 to help veterans uh that are uh hurting like myself and I hope you will consider 246 00:20:15,039 --> 00:20:21,400 it. Thank you. >> Thank you for your service, sir. 247 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:27,720 John McCran Wilton. 248 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:40,400 So John McCran Wilton, New York. As a former deputy 249 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:45,520 supervisor and councilman for 12 years in the town of Wilton, I'd like to um 250 00:20:43,120 --> 00:20:49,440 publicly voice my support for this tax exemption to ensure disabled veterans in 251 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:54,320 Saratoga County have a safe and a affordable place to live. We should 252 00:20:52,000 --> 00:21:00,240 always strive to protect and support and incentivize our veterans to live in our 253 00:20:56,799 --> 00:21:06,000 country. Um and my heart goes out to the other gentleman from Saratoga. Um, I had 254 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:10,480 a brother-in-law and and his brother had uh passed from the age in orange and I I 255 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:14,640 I understand everything that you're going through and my my heart and my 256 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:18,600 family's hearts go out to you all. Thank you. 257 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,600 » Thank you. 258 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:33,360 » Tim Mosman Mossman, sorry. Malta Mosman 259 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:43,440 We should have uh Tim Mosman uh from 61 Bayberry Drive in Maltton, New York. Um 260 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:48,320 we've heard a lot of stories tonight. Um and there's many more stories out there 261 00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:53,440 just like this. Um we have to stand behind our veterans. Um 262 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:57,440 they obviously sacrificed a lot of things for us and the reason that we can 263 00:21:55,120 --> 00:22:02,559 be here today is because of them. So, I stand 100% behind the veterans tax 264 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:05,280 exemption. Um, and thank you all for your service and thank you for the 265 00:22:04,159 --> 00:22:08,080 service of the ones that are out there that couldn't be here tonight. Thank 266 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:11,240 you. >> Thank you. 267 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:22,799 That Okay. Anybody else would like to speak that didn't sign didn't? Yes, 268 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,480 ma'am. >> Hello. 269 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:32,159 » You can bring that down a little bit. Yeah. My name is Magdona Resker. I live 270 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:37,760 at 1326 Route 147 in Charleton or West Charlton. The address is also Amsterdam, 271 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:41,360 New York. I am 100% service connected. I drank 272 00:22:39,679 --> 00:22:46,480 I also am in a mixed marriage with an FDNY firefighter from the World Trade 273 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:52,080 Center. We have been told it's going to be a matter of when and not if we will 274 00:22:49,039 --> 00:22:57,679 be ill. Uh he was there right when the second tower fell. Tower 7 almost fell 275 00:22:54,880 --> 00:23:02,559 upon him and his fellow firefighters. We've joined our local fire department. 276 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:07,840 We have been trying to get a part of this community. I know for transplants 277 00:23:05,039 --> 00:23:11,840 um with the 25th anniversary of World Trade Center. 278 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:16,400 I am also being followed for toxic exposures at Camp Lun for four years. My 279 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:22,480 daughter is sick. I was pregnant with her at the time. She just turned 40. She 280 00:23:19,039 --> 00:23:27,520 will be going under some procedures for some issues. she has medically. So, it 281 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:32,080 would be nice if like Saratoga was the first to adopt this and really start to 282 00:23:29,919 --> 00:23:39,200 pave the way for other counties and towns to again, as many of the gentlemen 283 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:43,919 up here have mentioned that, you know, we don't do this for compensation. If 1% 284 00:23:41,679 --> 00:23:49,760 of the population joins the military, when the 30% are eligible, they pass the 285 00:23:47,120 --> 00:23:54,880 ASVAB, they are high school graduates. But 1% actually raises their hand to 286 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:59,360 defend this country. So I would appreciate if there was consideration to 287 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:04,400 again let us stay in our homes, serve our communities. I am the vice president 288 00:24:02,159 --> 00:24:08,880 of the volunteer fire department. My husband, as a disabled firefighter, has 289 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:13,360 joined that fire department in West Charlton. and we want to proudly stay in 290 00:24:11,120 --> 00:24:18,400 this community, be embraced like we've embraced you. So, please consider this 291 00:24:16,159 --> 00:24:22,720 and um hopefully other counties will also adopt it with other towns. Thank 292 00:24:21,679 --> 00:24:27,840 you. >> Thank you both for your 293 00:24:26,159 --> 00:24:34,640 Thank you both. Thank you both for your service. Anyone else? Okay. Any comments 294 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:38,240 from uh supervisors? All right. I just want to say that uh we 295 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,400 » Mr. Chairman Mike >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, I was just going to 296 00:24:39,279 --> 00:24:42,400 » you asked. I didn't know if you're going to open it up, but thank you for doing 297 00:24:41,919 --> 00:24:45,360 that. >> Yeah. 298 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:50,480 » Um I've spoken to a number of uh veterans. I'm a veteran myself and um I 299 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:54,480 don't think we go far enough. >> Uh and I hope our elected officials at 300 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:58,640 the state and the federal levels, we bring to them maybe another little 301 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:03,600 choice event that can affect everybody in our country and that's alleviating 302 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:09,679 income tax at certain levels, maybe 100%. And uh because this is a federal 303 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:14,960 program now, we're taking steps to thanks to the chairman and this board to 304 00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:18,240 be hopefully the first and and go on not only county but to the appropriate 305 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:21,760 towns. I'm a supervisor for the town of Still Water and we'll introduce it. But 306 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:25,600 I want to hear from the people as well because you give them the right to do 307 00:25:23,039 --> 00:25:31,039 so. But I would encourage everybody to think along those same lines. We raise 308 00:25:27,919 --> 00:25:36,559 our hand, we join, we go get trained and off to war we go. And uh we may not come 309 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:41,039 back or we come back in pieces or we come back 100%. It doesn't matter. We 310 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:45,760 come back hopefully. And uh but I think we ought to go further uh at the federal 311 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:49,840 level and give some more alleviation and support along the income tax level. It'd 312 00:25:47,919 --> 00:25:53,400 be fair and equal across the boards. Thank you very much, 313 00:25:53,679 --> 00:26:00,799 » Mr. Murray. Our Navy representative our Navy 314 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:04,480 representative as chair of the veterans committee. I'm totally in favor of this 315 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:08,400 and I'm glad that the board is pushing it forward and I hope that Saratoga 316 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:12,240 County is the first county to make this happen in New York State. 317 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:16,400 » Thank you and fellows. >> Thank you for your leadership on the 318 00:26:13,919 --> 00:26:20,559 veterans committee. Appreciate it >> and for your service. 319 00:26:19,279 --> 00:26:24,240 » Anyone else? >> All right. I just want to say, you know, 320 00:26:21,919 --> 00:26:29,760 we we hear the phrase freedom isn't free quite often, and I think what we heard 321 00:26:26,559 --> 00:26:35,440 today was just a small cross-section of the cost of the service that we so much 322 00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:42,000 appreciate from the men and women of the military. And one thing that I made 323 00:26:37,679 --> 00:26:46,799 clear at our public hearing in Clifton was 324 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:52,880 obviously we have a lot of folks in this room that served overseas 325 00:26:49,360 --> 00:27:01,039 and came back with injuries um and other negative effects. But um 326 00:26:57,279 --> 00:27:05,360 it's also the people that are training here in the United States every day and 327 00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:10,159 maybe they never go to a foreign theater, but just that repetitive 328 00:27:07,919 --> 00:27:16,240 training and dangerous conditions and the dangerous training that they do on a 329 00:27:13,360 --> 00:27:21,760 on an ongoing basis can result in injury in itself. So, the injuries come in in 330 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:27,279 many different facets, but we understand how much it does affect you and God 331 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:32,799 bless you and thank you for your service and we'll thank you here on behalf of 332 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:37,360 all the veterans in Saratoga County. Um, I'd also like to ask if we have any 333 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:41,840 written communications. >> Yes. Correspondence from Cindy Doran in 334 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:46,480 the town of Wilton supporting the proposed local law 335 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:50,960 » that what >> supporting the proposed local law. 336 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:55,600 » Okay. Thank you very much. So we had one written comment as well. If there's no 337 00:27:52,960 --> 00:28:02,480 other comments from supervisors, I will um state this public hearing to 338 00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:02,480 be closed.