Bath Chamber appeals for Wal- Mart study
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY COLLEEN NEELEY Area residents share their views on a proposed Wal-Mart superstore in the Town of Bath at last week's Bath town board meeting.

BATH - The Greater Bath Area Chamber of Commerce has jumped into the debate surrounding the construction of a 150,000- square-foot Wal-Mart superstore on state Route 54.

Chamber President Bill Caudill late last month sent a letter to the Bath town board requesting the town and village of Bath coordinate "an independent economic impact study" that would assess the long-term effect of a "big-box" store on the region's economy.

Caudill's request, according to his letter, followed the June meeting of the board of directors of the Bath Chamber, where members of the board discussed "at length" the proposed Wal- Mart project. Their conclusion: "The potential divisiveness of the proposed project implores that the decision to approve or endorse such a business be taken with much care and consideration," Caudill wrote.

The letter, written on Chamber stationary, was read out loud at last week's monthly meeting of the Bath town board, where board members listened to a litany of warnings, as well as expressions of support, regarding the Wal-Mart superstore.

Supporters of the development have praised the wider retail opportunities offered by a local Wal-Mart, while critics have predicted dangerous traffic snarls and the closing of numerous local stores.

The Chamber's own suggestion closely resembles a recommendation put forward by Bath resident Scott Ward, of M.J. Ward & Son, who has advised both the town and village boards to collaborate on an economic impact study of the Wal- Mart project. Ward has warned a Wal-Mart superstore would force many local businesses to close or trim inventories.

Neither boards have taken action on the recommendation.

The proposed development currently is under review by the town Planning Board, which is coordinating a state mandated environmental impact study. Town Supervisor Fred Muller has predicted the environmental review could take a year.

In his letter to the board, Caudill said the Chamber's board of directors is concerned the long-term economic impact of a Wal-Mart superstore is outside the purview of an environmental impact study. Chamber board members trust, he said, "the intent of the town, village and town Planning Boards is to focus on the long-term impact on the community, and not on the short-term 'splash' that the (Wal-Mart) opening would create."

Caudill also asked that an independent agency with "no formal or philosophical connection with specific 'big box' corporations" conduct the proposed economic impact study.

Town Councilwoman Robin Lattimer has noted the Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board may be qualified to perform an impact assessment.