Flood buyback plan resurfaces Rotterdam councilman eyes program for severely flood-damaged homes By John Purcell As of Thursday, October 11, 2012 -5:51 p.m.
#ROTTERDAM — Some Rotterdam homeowners had urged local officials to offer a buyback program in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, but the discussion turned stagnant. Now, the proposal is bubbling up again.
#Councilman Robert Godlewski on Monday, Oct. 8, submitted a legislative request to Rotterdam Town Supervisor Harry Buffardi urging the town to participate in the state buyback program for properties damaged by Irene. Godlewski is proposing the town focus on the lowest assessed properties for the program and tap $100,000 from FEMA reimbursements.
#“The town could have an opportunity to get rid of these properties because they are an eyesore,” he said. “More importantly, it would help these people get out from a situation where they are trapped.”
#The federal government would cover 75 percent of the cost to buy out a home, with the town covering the remainder. The town would be responsible for covering expenses for razing any property, too.
#The town can offer participating homeowners up to the fair market value of the property before flood damage. An appraiser hired by the town would determine the fair market value. Any property the town purchases through the buyout program could never be placed back on the tax rolls. The property also could not be redeveloped in any way, Buffardi said.
#“That property would never be allowed to be taxed again, ever,” Buffardi said. “There is a larger component here regarding taxes in the future that would forever be a drain on the public.”
#Godlewski contended the properties wouldn’t be valuable again.
#“The value of those properties are not going to go up again,” Godlewski said. “You got 10 homes you are not going to have any tax revenue from.”
#Godlewski said he was “led to believe” additional FEMA reimbursements would be divided out to “other projects.” The town is receiving a total of around $525,000 from FEMA.
We read with interest the Oct. 11 article regarding a proposal by Rotterdam Town Board member Bob Godlewski. It addresses the problem of a double-digit number of properties in Rotterdam Junction left devastated by Hurricane Irene. Bob cited a program offered by the state that would allow some [Rotterdam] Junction home owners to sell their ruined homes to the town and get on with their lives. The properties would then be turned into “green spaces.” The thought of driving through this hamlet and seeing the landscape dotted with scenic areas instead of uninhabitable structures seems like a win-win. His reference to the blight of the city of Schenectady’s abandoned, boarded-up houses, well, speaks for itself. But it comes as no surprise the town of Rotterdam’s supervisor, Harry Buffardi, is apparently not going to show any support for what would be a viable solution. His fear that the demolition of these properties would hamper any redevelopment is nonsense — and, please, enough with the old tax-rolls trump card. Perhaps Supervisor Buffardi should try getting some feedback from some of the residents, as Bob did. This program seems like a reasonable step in the right direction to continue Rotterdam Junction’s road to recovery. Let’s stop with the politics and make the interests of these Rotterdam residents a priority, as Bob is trying to do.
Unless you happen to be one of the other taxpayers who couldn't get fair market value for their homes, but their tax rate will go up as these homes drop off the tax rolls, plus we get to pay to buy them, and the cost to demolish them too.
buffidiot doesnt give a sh*t about the junction - why would he want anything to do with helping people in need - Really anyone that has watched the administration in this town you know they are not committed to anything but themselves The town needs attention any other community would be doing what needs to be done for its own - oh sorry no one cares about the "poor" people of the junktion right graham bonnet " another idiot !!!! Remember what goes around comes around stick around the rotterdam sh*t hole and it will get you eventually- RUN!!! im trying seems no one wants to live here unless you have a house worth 100,000
buffidiot doesnt give a sh*t about the junction - why would he want anything to do with helping people in need - Really anyone that has watched the administration in this town you know they are not committed to anything but themselves The town needs attention any other community would be doing what needs to be done for its own - oh sorry no one cares about the "poor" people of the junktion right graham bonnet " another idiot !!!! Remember what goes around comes around stick around the rotterdam sh*t hole and it will get you eventually- RUN!!! im trying seems no one wants to live here unless you have a house worth 100,000
What is the status of the homeowners of these 10 homes? Are these people currently facing foreclosure or bankruptcy? If they didn't own the property outright and still carried a mortgage, they most likely stopped paying their mortgage and taxes. Are the Rotterdam residents being asked to pay back the banks for taking a risk by making loans on property that was a flood risk? It sounds all fine and dandy to say help the "poor people" of Rotterdam Junction, but if banks are involved in this, it sounds like this legislation may be asking the Rotterdam residents to bailout some home mortgage lenders.
read the facts- feds will pay 75 perccent its the right business decision! Run this town correctly its about the town !! learn from schoharie !! This town from both sides cant afford to get out of their own way - like i said get the hell out of hear old minds will never succeed here !
What is the status of the homeowners of these 10 homes? Are these people currently facing foreclosure of bankruptcy? If they didn't own the property outright and still carried a mortgage, they most likely stopped paying their mortgage and taxes. Are the Rotterdam residents being asked to pay back the banks for taking a risk by making loans on property that was a flood risk? It sounds all fine and dandy to say help the "poor people" of Rotterdam Junction, but if banks are involved in this, it sounds like this legislation may be asking the Rotterdam residents to bailout some irresponsible home mortgage lenders.
Corrected.
It is most likely exactly as you say. The attempt is being made to bail out the banks.
Rotterdam will likely end up with the properties eventually anyway. I would really like to see some stats on this matter.
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