Backing Veterans

CATSKILL - A grateful message could be sent to deeply wounded veterans by the Greene County Legislature pending a public hearing on legislation connected to the payment of taxes.

Lawmakers have set the public comment session for August 19, at 6:25 p.m., at the county office building, prior to their regular monthly meeting.

The local law, if approved, would provide that, “the primary residence of a seriously disabled veteran shall be fully exempt from taxation and special district charges, assessments and special ad valorem levies.”

Specific criteria would need to be met including all other requirements of Real Property Tax Law Section 458-a, the legislative resolution states.

And the veteran, to be eligible, must meet at least one of the criteria set forth in Paragraph (A) of the proposed law, as follows:

—“Must have been discharged or released from active military, naval, space or air service, including army and air national guard service performed pursuant to federal orders under title 10 of the United States code, under honorable conditions; or

—“Must have a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans’ services law and must have received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service; or

—“Must be a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans’ services law, and must have received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.”

Further, the veteran needs to meet the criterion set forth in Paragraph B of the proposed law, as follows:

—“Must be considered by the United States department of veterans affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service, as evidenced by a letter, official form, or other document sent to such veteran from such department.”

The official documentation must specifically state that, “such veteran is considered to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of such service.”

“In no case shall the taxable assessed value of the property of a qualifying

veteran be reduced below zero,” the proposed law states.

“Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require or authorize the discontinuance of any exemption granted pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 458 (3),” the proposed law states.

“Any such real property tax exemption shall apply to assessment rolls completed based upon Taxable Status Date March 1, 2027, the legislative resolution states.

In other matters:

—Lawmakers agreed to again extend the contract of county administrator Shaun Groden, setting a new departure date of April 1, 2028.

Groden has been on the job for sixteen years, having his contract already renewed, in July 2024, through the end of this year.

“I’m just not ready yet,” Groden said in a phone interview, noting there are at least two major capital projects he would like to see through to their conclusion including a new Senior Center and Mental Health facility.

There is also the completion and occupation of the new Justice Center wing on the county courthouse that has good and bad news..

The bad news is, “we are over the timeframe we thought would be happening” for moving the district attorney and public defender departments into the Center, originally set for this past spring.

The good news is“we are under-budget,” said Groden of the $28.8 million project that also has space for the State Office of Court Administration.

Groden, earlier this year, was the recipient of the prestigious “Robert D. McEvoy Excellence in Local Government Service Award.”

Robert McEvoy was a highly respected mentor and inspiration for hundreds of students at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College, also serving as a village and county manager prior to his passing in 2022.

“Someone asked me once to describe my typical day. The truth is they are never the same which is a good thing,” Groden says. “They say if you do what you love, you’ll love what you do. That’s true for me.”

—Lawmakers authorized adding $6,915 to the 2026 budget for the sale of surplus equipment from the Highway and Solid Waste Department.

The check shows $85 deducted in fees by Auctions International for moving items such as a Mohawk 2-Post Hydraulic Lift ($3,550).

Also sold were a 2004 International Durastar 4300 Box Truck with Power Lift Gate ($3,220) and assorted bundles of barrel weights.

—Lawmakers authorized advertising for bids on the replacement of roofing systems on the county office building at 411 Main Street in Catskill.

The facility has “areas of wear and damage that require replacement of roofing materials, flashing, and related components to maintain the buildings in good condition,” the legislative resolution states.