To the Editor:
I am writing about a proposed development near Bozenkill Park, including Armstrong Drive in Altamont.

Sometimes, the best time to avoid another Guilderland town disaster is before it becomes out of control. Maybe we should address this matter at the lowest administrative level.

I had some questions. I could not find answers on the suggested town of Guilderland website. How did our town supervisor allow this disaster to get this far? 

Has anyone of our neighbors thought about forming a representative neighborhood organized committee to oversee this matter? If you want to reach me to talk about this, call my cell phone at 518-221-2328.

Is anyone concerned about the catastrophic economic impact on the existing homeowners in Altamont/Guilderland by reducing their home’s fair-market value? 

Guilderland’s town board has not bothered to read the real-estate statutes regarding the difference between fair-market value and full-market value, which inflates the town of Guilderland’s coffers taking the funds from homeowners.

Does the Conservation Advisory Council agenda for Dec. 12 represent affected homeowners or parties that will benefit from this project? 

I can think of a few town approved beneficiaries: real estate agencies, construction companies, banks, town attorneys, lumber companies.

The neighbors of Guilderland are losing big time …

There will be gross intangible and tangible inconvenience to existing neighborhoods, and damage to existing forests and wildlife. 

The town of Guilderland’s planning board conveniently approves all building projects, which may seriously downgrade our home’s value …

It’s bad enough we must deal with the annual Altamont Fair traffic; in addition we are looking forward to the traffic from the Christmas Light Show every year. (I can discuss the horrors when the Blenheim/ Gilboa Dam was constructed.)

Consider the mess, noise, and additional accidents of 24/7 heavy construction vehicles. All related monies seem to come out of the homeowners’ pockets, and it goes to either the town of Guilderland in the form of additional taxes or to a myriad of contractors’ pockets. 

Bill Klee

Altamont

Editor’s note: Bill Klee lives at 11 Armstrong Drive near the proposed development and is trying to organize his neighbors to raise objections.

See related story.