On another topic, Kasprzak was asked about the recent move to put Lake Forest Retirement Community and Pine Harbour Assisted Living Center on the tax rolls. He said it was initiated by the Plattsburgh City School District.

"If it is initiated, I have a responsibility to pursue it," Kasprzak said.

He said almost 40 percent of the properties in the city are tax exempt, for a number of reasons.

Kasprzak said the bottom line is that every year the city should be sending out questionnaires to determine a property's right to tax-exempt status and that those properties should go on the tax rolls if they don't.

State Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward said there are far too many tax exemptions across the state. As an example, she said more than $4.5 million in exemptions exist in Willsboro alone, a town of about 1,900 residents.

Sayward urged support for a bill co-sponsored by Little that would allow non-profits to continue exemptions for the property they use for their function but not on all their holdings.

"If there is money being made, taxes should be paid," Sayward said, to a loud round of applause.

dheath@pressrepublican.com