Mill Brook residents decry Green Acres Mall PILOT

A vociferous crowd of about 100 residents packed the gymnasium at the Forest Road Elementary School on Nov. 2 for a monthly Mill Brook Civic Association meeting. The primary topic of interest was the Green Acres Mall PILOT agreement, which likely caused tax increases for thousands of people.

“Of course we’re optimistic,” State Senator Todd Kaminsky said. “We’re not sitting here saying all hope is lost, but I also am not gonna tell you that everyone in government is working seamlessly together and this is a great plan and we have to go out there and execute it. We’re at the beginning.”

Many residents have been up in arms since learning that the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency granted a $6 million tax reduction for the Green Acres Mall beginning this year. The mall will receive a similar cutback every year through 2022. The financial burden was shifted to other classes of properties, and the mall comes off the tax rolls for 10 years, per the contract.

“Is there a list of politicians that voted for this or accepted this?” one resident yelled out during the meeting. “Give us the list, we’ll get their asses out!”

Last month, Santino announced plans to remove the IDA board, which he said would be discussed at the Nov. 15 Town Board meeting. Hempstead Town, the village and District 24 have each announced plans to sue the IDA over the agreement.

Nick Ciccone contributed to this story.