Cobleskill Stone is a significant employer and taxpayer. Shouldnt the Town do What they want?
A. Clearly, the Town of Schoharie is interested in supporting business ventures that fit well with the community and provide jobs and tax base. Cobleskill Stones employment countywide is highly valued. In the case of the mining expansion, however, the property tax contribution is debatable. Quarries are not assessed at high property value rates relative to other commercial, industrial or residential land uses. The total property taxes paid by Cobleskill Stone on all 200 acres owned within the Town and Village of Schoharie is equal to that paid by seven or eight average houses. Further, if the presence of an expanded quarry hurts the overall image of the community, other property values may decline. Regarding the jobs issue, Cobleskill Stone has indicated in 2005 that expansion would not add any jobs to the site.
