To the Editor:

While working to complete my eighth year as New Scotland town supervisor, I wish to announce that I do not intend to seek re-election this fall.  I have enjoyed immensely serving the residents of New Scotland these past years, but it is important at this stage of my life that I spend more time with my wife, Nancy; my children; and my four grandchildren.

These past years in office have been eventful and productive.

Within six weeks of my taking office in 2008, the town was confronted with perhaps the most significant issue in its history, a proposal for a 1.75-million-square-foot retail complex, anchored by 300,000 square feet of “big box” development on what was the old Bender Melon Farm.  With the support of a large portion of our residents, I helped lead a successful grassroots challenge to the construction of this proposed “big-box” shopping center at the intersection of routes 85 and 85A.

This project would have forever changed the rural character of our town, brought added crime and congestion, and inevitably caused an increase in taxes. A local law was eventually passed that caps the maximum size of an individual retail store at 50,000 square feet.

This was a key step toward ensuring development that is appropriate to the character of our town. The planning and zoning process for future development in the commercial district is now underway.

Shortly after I took office, our nation was hit with its worst economic collapse since the Great Depression.  Despite significant declines in sales and mortgage tax revenue during this economic downturn, we have budgeted and managed the town’s finances so that existing services could be maintained despite the significant decline in our revenues.

Through careful budgeting, we have actually managed to increase the town’s cash reserves, which is contrary to what most other municipalities have experienced.   Due to this careful financial oversight, we have managed over the past seven years to keep town taxes low, and within a newly instituted state-mandated tax cap.

In fact, town taxes were cut 5 percent one year.  I am proud to say that town of New Scotland taxes are the lowest of the area’s suburban towns. 

An important issue to me when I took office was the need to address water supply problems in the hamlet of New Salem.  A solution to this problem had been under study for at least a decade.  I am pleased to report that, having secured a $2,898,000 interest-free loan from the Environmental Facilities Corporation and after negotiating a favorable water supply agreement with the town of Bethlehem, a full-scale new water supply system is currently under construction for the residents of New Salem and is expected to deliver water starting this fall.

Soon after I took office, I was advised by the New York State Department of Transportation that one of the most dangerous railroad crossings in upstate New York was located in the town of New Scotland.  After much effort, I was able to secure federal funds and a contribution from CSX that allowed us to finally close the Youmans Road railroad crossing at no cost to our taxpayers.

Similarly, I was able to obtain $1,000,000 in federal highway funds and $355,000 in New York State Marchiselli funds to rebuild and realign a portion of Krumkill Road that had collapsed in 2011 with tropical storms Irene and Lee.  The reconstruction of Krumkill Road is scheduled to begin late this summer.

My administration has pursued many other grant opportunities such as:

— National Grid energy-saving rebates for a new, efficient gas furnace at Town Hall;

— Replacement of energy-draining old light fixtures at the highway garage and Town Hall with new energy-saving lighting;

— Upgrading to light-emitting diode (LED) exterior and parking lot lighting for both Town Hall and the community center through a grant from National Grid;

— Federal Transportation Administration funding for 80 percent of the purchase of a new Senior Outreach bus for transportation of town seniors;

— Federal Homeland Security funds for the installation of an electrical generator at Town Hall; and

— Capital District Transportation Commission funding for a study of the Route 85/85A commercial district and now a round two grant for development of zoning regulations that reflect the goals developed in the first stage.

I also have overseen the substantial expansion of our Senior Outreach program.  When I took office, the outreach coordinator was part-time and the town had no vehicles of its own to transport our seniors to medical appointments and social activities.

The program now includes two buses for transporting seniors to group activities, as well as a donated car and a leased 4-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle for transporting seniors to necessary medical appointments.

I have made sure that long-needed repairs to our Community/Senior Center have been completed, with a new roof, new air-conditioning, replacement of an oil-fired furnace with an efficient gas-fired unit, and other improvements to the wheelchair ramp, grounds, and parking lot lighting.

Although there remains much to be accomplished on behalf of our residents, looking back at the past years, I feel that much has been achieved. I believe that I leave the town and its residents in a sound financial position to pursue future goals.

During my tenure as supervisor, I have had the benefit of a talented and dedicated staff, the support of a hardworking, involved town board, cooperation from other town elected officials, invaluable knowledge and advice provided by the town attorneys and engineers, and the valuable efforts of a group of busy and knowledgeable town employees.  For this, I am grateful.

Thank you for your support.  It has been a pleasure serving you all.

Thomas Dolin, supervisor

New Scotland

Editor's note: see related story.