At its January 17 town board meeting, the town of Mamakating announced that it launched a tax reassessment of Kohl's Distribution Center. The distribution warehouse at 3440 Route 209 is reportedly claiming low retail revenues due to the pandemic. The cited claim is the reason allegedly given by Kohl's to not pay full taxes.

Residents present at the meeting were in agreement that the large corporation should not get a pass on even part of the taxes. Some also noted how the flow-through center (distribution only with no housed merchandise) has not been the large boost to the local job market and economy as expected when it opened in February 2002. As part of the site opening, Kohl's, which is in the Wurtsboro and Ellenville school tax districts, was granted a property tax exemption.

After a tax assessment several years ago, Chris Leser brought up in public comments, both Ellenville and the town of Mamakating "lost a lot of money" and risk losing again if this current assessment is unsuccessful.

The board, noting that it was worth the risk, agreed to begin another tax assessment. Supervisor Mike Robbins added that they will reach out to Ellenville to ask if they would like to "chip in" to the assessment. If successful, this would be the first time since the center opened that Kohl's would pay a full tax rate.

Town Investments

Supervisor Robbins said the trial month of $200,000 in the NYCLASS fund, the local municipality investment pool, was a success. In one month, the initial investment earned $600 at 3.8% interest. The interest is now 4%, Robbins told residents, as he set the resolution to add a heftier amount of town funds.

He was challenged, though, by Janet Lybolt, who asked why the town was not considering putting the town's money back into our own economy. Lybolt elaborated that Wayne Bank, which is one of the town's banks, has 4% interest right now. (As a note though, the 4% interest rate is promotional. So, the town might only qualify for the 3% interest rate if the town is an existing customer.)

The board agreed to look into putting part of the town money into an account such as the one at Wayne, but the town is still putting money into the already started NYCLASS account.

The board voted to put more money into the NYCLASS account from several different town funds, along with looking into a local bank, such as Wayne Bank. The board did not vote on the amount of money going into investment funds.

Other Business

Legislator Nicholas Salomone Jr (R) spoke to residents about a long list of recent Sullivan County Legislator accomplishments. One of the most exciting points Salomone spoke about was Sullivan County's rise as the top county in the state for job growth. Salomone attributed the growth to "tourism and hotels."

Town Historian Virdanna Lawrence said another historic marker is in the works. This next marker Lawrence announced will be in the Basha Kill wetlands, marking its namesake, Queen Basha.

Chris Leser tasked the board with rethinking its zoning laws. He cited several recent restrictions on private property owners, like the required Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) appearance by a resident in Bloomingburg because of a shed too close to the road. He argued, "We have too much to say about what people can do with their properties."