Supervisors commit $20K for railroad future study
NORWICH – Discretionary funds under the direction of Chenango County’s Planning & Economic Development Committee were granted Wednesday for a consultant’s study of the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad line through the area.
In the fall of 2005, the Cooperstown-based railroad filed the initial documents required to begin abandonment procedures of its right-of-way between Chenango Forks and Sherburne. The railroad cited underutilization. Later in 2006, the line shut down after being damaged by record-breaking floods in the region.
County officials, Commerce Chenango executives and the Industrial Development Corporation have been trying to remedy the situation ever since. The IDA has held a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement with the railroad since 1982.
According to Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter, three options have developed from discussions with NYS&W officials: The IDA would take ownership of the tracks and bank them for future economic development, develop a rails-to-trails system, or create a scenic railroad linking Chenango County to northern destination sites such as Old Forge.
The NYS&W has two years before they officially file for abandonment with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
“This continues to be a high priority item for the IDA. We need professionals with experience,” Carpenter told the committee, “people who know what programs and funding sources are out there for us.”
Carpenter requested $20,000 from the committee’s set-aside pool for economic development. She said the Chenango County Area Corp. would be applying for a grant in order to kick in $10,000 for the $30,000 contract. If the grant isn’t awarded, the Area Corp. would tap into profits from the sale of the Eaton Center, she said.
During discussion, committee Chairwoman Linda E. Natoli, R-City of Norwich, said businesses and organizations in the county should be supporting the study, not government.
“Why aren’t people who use the railroad ponying up for it instead of the government footing the bill?” she asked. “I have a problem with county government paying for two-thirds of the cost of this.”
The line is operational from Sherburne to Utica, and serves four businesses in the county. Carpenter said when contacted, one of those, Chenango Valley Pet Foods, was concerned only about “having enough notice to know when to change to truck transportation.”
Despite having a quorum, Natoli said she would have preferred that all members of the committee be present for the vote. Ross P. Iannello of New Berlin and James J. McNeil of the City of Norwich were absent.
“We have options, but we really don’t know how advantageous they are without this study,” Jerry Kreiner, R-Plymouth, said. “I think this is important. We spend millions on other things that aren’t even discussed.”
Kreiner made a motion to approve the request. Town of Greene Supervisor Jack Cook seconded.
“Time is going to be of an essence here, what with the power line right-of-way contract and abandonment procedures,” Cook said. The NYS&W has a contract with New York Regional Interconnect to utilize its right-of-ways for its much-publicized power line project.
In the fall of 2005, the Cooperstown-based railroad filed the initial documents required to begin abandonment procedures of its right-of-way between Chenango Forks and Sherburne. The railroad cited underutilization. Later in 2006, the line shut down after being damaged by record-breaking floods in the region.
County officials, Commerce Chenango executives and the Industrial Development Corporation have been trying to remedy the situation ever since. The IDA has held a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement with the railroad since 1982.
According to Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter, three options have developed from discussions with NYS&W officials: The IDA would take ownership of the tracks and bank them for future economic development, develop a rails-to-trails system, or create a scenic railroad linking Chenango County to northern destination sites such as Old Forge.
The NYS&W has two years before they officially file for abandonment with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
“This continues to be a high priority item for the IDA. We need professionals with experience,” Carpenter told the committee, “people who know what programs and funding sources are out there for us.”
Carpenter requested $20,000 from the committee’s set-aside pool for economic development. She said the Chenango County Area Corp. would be applying for a grant in order to kick in $10,000 for the $30,000 contract. If the grant isn’t awarded, the Area Corp. would tap into profits from the sale of the Eaton Center, she said.
During discussion, committee Chairwoman Linda E. Natoli, R-City of Norwich, said businesses and organizations in the county should be supporting the study, not government.
“Why aren’t people who use the railroad ponying up for it instead of the government footing the bill?” she asked. “I have a problem with county government paying for two-thirds of the cost of this.”
The line is operational from Sherburne to Utica, and serves four businesses in the county. Carpenter said when contacted, one of those, Chenango Valley Pet Foods, was concerned only about “having enough notice to know when to change to truck transportation.”
Despite having a quorum, Natoli said she would have preferred that all members of the committee be present for the vote. Ross P. Iannello of New Berlin and James J. McNeil of the City of Norwich were absent.
“We have options, but we really don’t know how advantageous they are without this study,” Jerry Kreiner, R-Plymouth, said. “I think this is important. We spend millions on other things that aren’t even discussed.”
Kreiner made a motion to approve the request. Town of Greene Supervisor Jack Cook seconded.
“Time is going to be of an essence here, what with the power line right-of-way contract and abandonment procedures,” Cook said. The NYS&W has a contract with New York Regional Interconnect to utilize its right-of-ways for its much-publicized power line project.
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