County, Chenango Greenway enter talks of license agreement for county-owned property
NORWICH - County officials are considering a lease agreement with the nonprofit Chenango Greenway Conservancy which would give the organization control over public land on Upper Ravine Road in Norwich.
Prospects of an agreement went before the county’s Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee earlier this month, continuing a conversation that was started earlier in the summer. While not entirely committed to the idea of leasing land to Greenway, the county is mulling over a few options that would give Greenway more flexibility when it comes to use of the 400-plus acre property.
The county presently has a license with the Galena Growlers, a nonprofit youth mountain biking organization, to use trails on the Upper Ravine Road property for recreational riding and competitions. The organization has said it supports Greenway’s control and maintenance takeover of the property.
Yet there are sticking points to a possible agreement, said County Attorney Alan Gordon, including whether or not the county would be responsible to enforce rules and restrictions that might be imposed by Greenway as the leaseholder.
Greenway said there wouldn’t be a need for the county to plow or maintain access to the property. But it has expressed worries about ATV use and hunting that might undermine its mission to enhance public access and trails.
“The agreement provides that the Conservancy would have the right to develop rules regarding use of the property,” said Gordon. “In the past, the county has never restricted use of our forested lands. We've always allowed anyone to use it, as long as it was legal activity. By placing restrictions on it, it forces us to enforce those as the property owner.”
Gordon added the county would still have oversight of rules put in place by Greenway and that the agency would need to report to the county prior to rule changes. A license agreement would be revocable at any time.
“It’s a policy issue that I think the [Buildings and Grounds] Committee needs to discuss,” said Gordon. “To what extent do we want to start restricting the use of forested lands that we own?”
“I think the Greenway would be a good steward of the property,” said Afton Supervisor John Lawrence, chair of the county’s Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee. But he said there’s some hesitation when it comes to the county’s role in enforcing rules and restrictions.
Committee members agreed that they would like more answers before greenlighting a lease or license agreement with Greenway. The notion has stalled in committee until officials get more input.
“I personally need some more information,” said Norwich Supervisor Stanley Foulds, citing concerns from individuals who rent land from a neighboring landowner on Upper Ravine Road. “This is a county-owned property. Anybody should be able to use it at any time.”
The Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee hopes to speak with representatives of the Chenango Greenway Conservancy at its next meeting in September.
In addition to talks of a possible licensing agreement with the county, the Chenango Greenway Conservancy is currently pursuing purchase of the stone quarry adjacent to the county’s property on Upper Ravine Road. The organization began fundraising in March, setting a $300,000 goal to cover the purchase and improve site accessibility.
Prospects of an agreement went before the county’s Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee earlier this month, continuing a conversation that was started earlier in the summer. While not entirely committed to the idea of leasing land to Greenway, the county is mulling over a few options that would give Greenway more flexibility when it comes to use of the 400-plus acre property.
The county presently has a license with the Galena Growlers, a nonprofit youth mountain biking organization, to use trails on the Upper Ravine Road property for recreational riding and competitions. The organization has said it supports Greenway’s control and maintenance takeover of the property.
Yet there are sticking points to a possible agreement, said County Attorney Alan Gordon, including whether or not the county would be responsible to enforce rules and restrictions that might be imposed by Greenway as the leaseholder.
Greenway said there wouldn’t be a need for the county to plow or maintain access to the property. But it has expressed worries about ATV use and hunting that might undermine its mission to enhance public access and trails.
“The agreement provides that the Conservancy would have the right to develop rules regarding use of the property,” said Gordon. “In the past, the county has never restricted use of our forested lands. We've always allowed anyone to use it, as long as it was legal activity. By placing restrictions on it, it forces us to enforce those as the property owner.”
Gordon added the county would still have oversight of rules put in place by Greenway and that the agency would need to report to the county prior to rule changes. A license agreement would be revocable at any time.
“It’s a policy issue that I think the [Buildings and Grounds] Committee needs to discuss,” said Gordon. “To what extent do we want to start restricting the use of forested lands that we own?”
“I think the Greenway would be a good steward of the property,” said Afton Supervisor John Lawrence, chair of the county’s Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee. But he said there’s some hesitation when it comes to the county’s role in enforcing rules and restrictions.
Committee members agreed that they would like more answers before greenlighting a lease or license agreement with Greenway. The notion has stalled in committee until officials get more input.
“I personally need some more information,” said Norwich Supervisor Stanley Foulds, citing concerns from individuals who rent land from a neighboring landowner on Upper Ravine Road. “This is a county-owned property. Anybody should be able to use it at any time.”
The Ag, Buildings, and Grounds Committee hopes to speak with representatives of the Chenango Greenway Conservancy at its next meeting in September.
In addition to talks of a possible licensing agreement with the county, the Chenango Greenway Conservancy is currently pursuing purchase of the stone quarry adjacent to the county’s property on Upper Ravine Road. The organization began fundraising in March, setting a $300,000 goal to cover the purchase and improve site accessibility.
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