CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. -- As crews start to smooth the ground for Beech Nut's new home in the Town of Florida it's 20 miles down the road in Beech Nut's hometown where things are starting to get rocky.
“We have been ignored. Totally and drastically by everybody,” said Canajoharie Mayor Leigh Fuller.
Canajoharie residents filled village hall after hearing the board may file an Article 78 lawsuit in response to Beech-Nut's move.
“In the process to obtain the money to move Beech-Nut, Canajoharie was never mentioned about what monetary relief would take place,” said Trustee Jeffery Baker.
The board said the environmental impact study didn't take into account the impact on village taxpayers who are still paying millions for water and sewer facilities built for the company.
“If everything in the village stays status quo, water and sewer rates in the village will rise 250-percent,” said Baker.
Residents in Canajoharie fill their Village Hall after hearing officials are considering a lawsuit in response to Beech-Nut's decision to move to the town of Florida. Mark Repsaky reports.
“It's a very dismal looking picture. We have to worry about our tax payers,” Fuller said.
There are some though who say taxpayers do have something to lose if the village files the Article 78. Primarily new businesses interested in coming here.
“What's the chance of another company coming in if that's the way we treat a 100-year old company,” asked Town of Canajoharie Supervisor Bob McMahon. “We feel if Article 78 is filed Beech Nut will leave Canajoharie high and dry.”
Some say that's the way things are headed anyway and in the year since the company announced the move there's been little progress .This they hope will pick up the pace.
“2010 is too late. They are out the door, the door is closed and we're in trouble,” said Fuller.