John E. Lawler - Town Supervisor

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

Message from the Supervisor

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

The Governor’s most recent Executive Covid-19 order prohibits all public gatherings of more than 10 people.  I am deeply disappointed that as a result of that order the Town has reluctantly cancelled our traditional Christmas Parade which culminated in our tree lighting ceremony along with a visit from Santa. I know that we will all miss this wonderful long standing Waterford tradition.  However, the Town of Waterford has started the decorating of Soldiers and Sailors Park, and while we cannot gather together at the park, please join us on Saturday, November 28th at 7:00 PM  when will live stream the tree lightning ceremony on the Town Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/waterfordnewyork/.  Also, members of the community have expressed interest in decorating a community Christmas tree with ornaments. This is a fun way to share Christmas with our friends and neighbors and the Town is providing a tree at the park for ornament decorations by the community.   

Please remember that the tree lighting ceremony is a “virtual only’ event.  When decorating the community Christmas tree please keep in mind that outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited by Executive Order of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving and Holiday season. 

 Momentive Assessment Lawsuit Settled

After lengthy negotiations and extensive legal action which included our retaining the services of a nationally recognized commercial appraisal firm, the Town of Waterford and the Waterford-Halfmoon School District have agreed to settle the assessment lawsuit.

In their lawsuit, Momentive had demanded that the property’s taxable assessed value be reduced from $195 million to $54 million. They also demanded a total refund in excess $12 million from the School District, Town of Waterford and Saratoga County for overpayment of taxes from 2016 – 2019.

The settlement establishes a taxable assessed value of $95 million and a total refund of $5 million to Momentive. The refund will consist of an approximate $3.5 million from the School District, approximately $1 million from the Town, and $500,000 from Saratoga County. The settlement prohibits any further assessment challenges by Momentive for a period of 5 years.

The $1 million Town refund and the ensuing loss of future tax revenues as a result of the reduction in the assessment is expected to negatively impact the Town’s 2021 operating budget. The Town Board will make every effort to offset this by reducing operating expenses and utilizing surplus funds to minimize the impact on Town taxpayers.  

The final settlement reduced the potential tax refund liability by more than 50% and prevents Momentive from bringing future assessment challenges for five years. Given the potential for a much larger refund and an even greater reduction in the taxable assessed value, we are confident this settlement is in the best interest of our tax payers.

History of Waterford, NY

The Town of Waterford is situated in the southeastern corner of Saratoga County, 12 miles north of Albany at the junction of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, and the junction of the Erie and Champlain Canals. It is the home of the “Waterford Flight”, the highest set of lift locks in the world.

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2020 Final Town Tax Assessment Roll

The 2020 Final Town Tax Assessment Roll has been completed and is available for inspection in the Town Clerk's Office during regular hours. The information is also available on the County's website; https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/2020-final-roll/

Scroll down and click on the Town of Waterford link and you will have access to the entire Final Roll.

To find a particular property, owner, or address, use the “Find” box. Many residents feel it is important to know the assessments on their properties. If you need help reading the Roll or understanding its abbreviations, the Assessor is usually available to help (call for an appointment: 235-9907).

Using either of these methods can help you decide if your assessment is fair or needs review. If review is your choice, go to www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/grievancebooklet.pdf or telephone your Assessor.

Harbor Visitor Center

Gateway to New York's Canals

Make Waterford part of your vacation this year!

View Live Video - Lock 2 View

View Live Video - Hudson Mohawk View

Waterford Harbor Visitor Center
One Tugboat Alley
Waterford, New York 12188
(518) 233-9123

Moor along the shores of historic Waterford - 1,000 feet of Linear floating docks and 600 feet of concrete wall available.

Services include:

• Water
• Showers
• Electric
• Pump-out

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