Controversial property purchase finalized

BY RUBY RAYNER-HASELKORN
Posted 1/22/25

HIGHLAND, NY — The Highland Town Board, minus absent board member Kaitlin Haas, voted to purchase the building at 564 State Rte. 55, adjacent to the town hall for parking, despite the …

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Controversial property purchase finalized

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HIGHLAND, NY — The Highland Town Board, minus absent board member Kaitlin Haas, voted to purchase the building at 564 State Rte. 55, adjacent to the town hall for parking, despite the acquisition’s fueling a verbal dispute with law enforcement intervention the week prior.

The board approved a motion to purchase the property for $78,000, nearly $50,000 more than 2023 and 2024 assessed value. Addressing the purchase price, Supervisor John Pizzolato said the property was appraised at $85,000 by an independent assessor, Bob Buckles, with Capital Appraisal Group.

The property was last sold in July 2024 to the current owner, Sal Martornano for $27,500, according to Sullivan County sale records.

Boller Properties listed the property at $99,000 on real estate site One Key in late November 2024.

Town Attorney Javid Afzali said the reason the town should move forward on the purchase of the property now is because it is currently available with a purchase price within the town budget. “We don’t know if it’s sold if it’s ever going to be available, or at what cost,” he said.

The town has designated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover the purchase cost, and Pizzolato said he has no intention of using tax dollars for the work necessary to tear down the current defunct building and use the space for parking as intended.

According to the supervisor, Peck’s Markets—whose parking lot is often used by patrons of the town hall—has requested the town find alternative parking. The Peck’s management for the location across from the town hall told the River Reporter they did not discuss parking with anyone on the town board but that the new owners of the Peck’s Markets chain could have communicated with the town about parking. Over the summer, the store put up signs designating the lot for Peck’s parking.

Town electorate can trigger permissive referendum

The Town of Highland electorate has the option of a permissive referendum. Afzali, at the January 7 public hearing on the purchase, outlined the option of a permissive referendum, i.e. a process by which members of the public can petition the town board to hold a public vote on certain matters. Now that the board has voted on the purchase of the property, the Highland electorate has the ability to trigger such a vote if five percent or more registered voters sign a petition for the action. If a petition is successful, the purchase will be put to a special referendum in the town. The board is then required to follow the outcome of the vote.

Read more here: Sheriff's deputy intervenes between mother and husband of Highland board members

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