Lawmaker and resident questions follow authorization to buy 933 Leeds/Athens Road; motion carries
January 21, 2026 | Greene County, New York
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A Catskill resident raised concerns about a pending county purchase of property at 933 Leeds/Athens Road, asking why the county would pay $550,000 for a building listed on the county’s real property website with a lower market value.
"According to the real property tax... the full market value of that property is only $422,791," public commenter Mr. Izzo told the legislature and asked whether an appraisal had been conducted and who negotiated the sale. Izzo said he would file a Freedom of Information request for negotiation and appraisal records.
Board members responded that assessment rolls are often out of date and generally do not govern sale prices. One member noted the listed sale price was the fire company’s asking price and that in this case there had been no MLS listing or standard real estate marketing. After discussion, the legislature moved to establish Capital Project No. 178 and authorize purchase of the property (tax map ID 139-6-9, Athens, NY).
The motion was seconded and brought to a vote; multiple members said "Aye," and at least one member stated opposition after hearing the public comment. The motion carried.
The discussion and the subsequent vote were framed as a county decision about property acquisition and facilities planning, with members citing broader county needs (record storage, highway crew relocation) in support of the purchase. The public commenter’s request for records was acknowledged and a FOIL request was promised by the speaker.
Votes at the meeting also included multiple budget amendments, contract authorizations, lease agreements, digitization of county clerk records, and numerous correcting assessment roll resolutions across towns; most motions were routine and carried without extended debate.
"According to the real property tax... the full market value of that property is only $422,791," public commenter Mr. Izzo told the legislature and asked whether an appraisal had been conducted and who negotiated the sale. Izzo said he would file a Freedom of Information request for negotiation and appraisal records.
Board members responded that assessment rolls are often out of date and generally do not govern sale prices. One member noted the listed sale price was the fire company’s asking price and that in this case there had been no MLS listing or standard real estate marketing. After discussion, the legislature moved to establish Capital Project No. 178 and authorize purchase of the property (tax map ID 139-6-9, Athens, NY).
The motion was seconded and brought to a vote; multiple members said "Aye," and at least one member stated opposition after hearing the public comment. The motion carried.
The discussion and the subsequent vote were framed as a county decision about property acquisition and facilities planning, with members citing broader county needs (record storage, highway crew relocation) in support of the purchase. The public commenter’s request for records was acknowledged and a FOIL request was promised by the speaker.
Votes at the meeting also included multiple budget amendments, contract authorizations, lease agreements, digitization of county clerk records, and numerous correcting assessment roll resolutions across towns; most motions were routine and carried without extended debate.
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