SHERBURNE – While state officials continue to work out the details involving the closure of the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne, area politicians and residents have begun asking their own questions.
Department of Environmental Conservation and Division of Land and Forest representatives contacted Monday morning said it is not known if the Rogers park and trails will remain open to the public following the scheduled Dec. 31 closure of the education center.
All comments regarding the center’s future operation were deferred to the New York State Division of the Budget in Albany. Calls to DEC officials in Albany Monday also deferred information about any 2011 services to the budget office.
Rogers Director Marsha Guzewich said she had no information on the future of access to the park land, saying a decision had not yet been made.
Guzewich is one of five full-time employees whose positions are being eliminated by the end of the year. Guzewich confirmed the center, which has been operating wildlife and nature educational programs since 1968, will close by Dec. 31 and that all programming beyond that date has been cancelled.
Thursday, DEC officials confirmed Rogers and Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center in Dutchess County would be among those to close as the governor’s office attempts to save $250 million by laying off nearly 900 state workers by the end of the year.
Governor David Paterson said 898 state employees across a number of state agencies would be affected, including about 150 from the DEC, at least five of whom work at the local Rogers Center.
New York State Division of the Budget spokesman Erik Kriss reported DEC officials were looking into reaching out to local entities to see if they might be able to take over the center’s operation.
Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Decker said he had not been contacted.
“The county was looking at a similar situation when the state announced the closing of Hunts Pond. But some of the state’s requirements are very restrictive. They make it very hard for us to make anything work. If that’s the case we may have some issues, but I’m more than open to listening to whatever they might want to say. I think it’s a shame to lose a part of our community,” said Decker.
Decker said he hopes something could be worked out to at least keep the grounds of the facility open to the public, though he wasn’t even sure if closing them was a part of the state’s plan.
“It’s an important and popular facility in Chenango County. To be honest with you, I don’t know why every time the state has to close something they have to close it in Chenango County,” he said.
Town of Sherburne Supervisor William Craine said he was also not aware of any contact by state officials and added that he had taken a morning jog through Rogers’ trail system for at least the last 35 years.
He also said he looked forward to supporting any organization working to keep the center open.
Senator James L. Seward’s office reported receiving a number of phone calls and e-mails after the DEC announced the closure last week.
“The senator would support a local effort to replace the loss of state funding and has opposed the governor’s budget, including these cuts,” said Seward’s Chief of Staff Duncan Davie.
Davie said the senator felt the governor’s plan had “misplaced priorities.”
“We’re receptive to local officials moving in, most certainly,” he said.
Calls and e-mails to Assemblyman Gary Finch of the 123rd District last week have still not been returned.
Laurie Trotta, president of the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc, a volunteer group that has long contributed to the site, said she and her board were meeting with state officials Monday to review the closure.
A Facebook fan page called “Save Rogers Conservation Center” currently has more than 3,800 members. It can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Rogers-Conservation-Center.