Milton asks Boys Scout council for another chance at land
After several missed deadlines, town wants to make deal happen
The town has already missed five deadlines and was denied a sixth. But that didn’t stop the Town Board for asking the Twin Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America for yet another extension in the possible $1 million purchase of the 300-acre camp Boyhaven.
The Town Board passed a resolution on Monday night to ask for more time. In exchange, the town would offer the Boy Scouts up to $20,000 in cash for its patience — money that may or may not be added to the purchase.
The board also voted to further complicate the deal by seeking an additional 30 days in order for residents who oppose the plan to come up with 504 signatures. Those petition signatures would force a public vote on the land, which also could sink the deal.
“We have a lot of irons in the fire,” said Councilman Benny Zlotnick, who took over the negotiation after lead negotiator Larry Woolbright stepped down. “We are moving forward with another deal. I know this has been a contentious issue. We are working hard to make it happen. I will speak with the Boy Scout council tomorrow.”
More than a year ago, Woolbright, at the behest of former Town Supervisor Dan Lewza, was put in charge of negotiating the deal with the Boy Scouts for the nearly 100-year-old wooded property on Route 29 and Middle Grove Road. The town borrowed $500,000 for the land, which it is holding in the bank. The remainder of the funds were to come from an anonymous donor. The deal started to unravel when the donor withdrew, said Woolbright, after the Ballston Journal and town attorney and developer Frank Rossi Jr. pressured the donor to reveal himself, in case the donated money was made criminally. At the same time, the town missed four of its deadlines to close on the property.
The Boy Scouts, who have said they would like the land preserved as a park and not sold to a developer, gave the town more time, thus a fifth deadline. When the town did not act after three meetings, the Boy Scouts said it would go back out to bid.
Woolbright, clearly frustrated with the inaction, stepped down from leading the project.
“I’ve done everything I could do,” Woolbright said. “I was getting a lot of calls. I told people to start calling the supervisor. I’ve done everything I was asked to do and everything I was supposed to do. There is nothing more.”
The permissive referendum is exactly what Rossi was seeking. He says he has no interest in buying and developing the property.
Rossi, who also threatened to sue the anonymous donor for stepping away, has said many people are against the proposal. His sister, Gina Marozzi, said she expects the seniors living in more than 100 apartments will likely oppose the deal because an increase in taxes will force rent increases.
Zlotnick is confident, if a referendum is called, it would pass in favor of purchasing Boyhaven by an overwhelming margin.
He also said he is disappointed that the town hasn’t been able to get the job done.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that a few vocal people with their recommendations and threatening letters could cost the town so much,” Zlotnick said.