067.2012 Tahawus Railway RESOLUTION SUPPORTING APPLICATION OF SARATOGA AND
NORTH CREEK RAILWAY, LLC BEFORE THE SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO PROVIDE RAIL SERVICE ON THE
EXISTING APPROXIMATELY 29.71 MILES OF RAIL TRACK KNOWN AS
THE "TAHAWUS LINE" RUNNING FROM NORTH CREEK, NEW YORK
WITH TERMINUS AT NEWCOMB, NEW YORK
RESOLUTION NO.: 67,2012
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Ronald Montesi
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHEREAS, Saratoga and North Creek Railway, LLC has applied to the Surface
Transportation Board for permission to reactivate the Tahawus line, and
WHEREAS, once approved for use, Saratoga and North Creek Railway, LLC intends to
utilize the Tahawus line to haul freight and support economic development, and
WHEREAS, existing rail lines have become an increasingly important alternative for shipping
and receiving for small to medium size Adirondack businesses as the price of gasoline and diesel fuel
increases, and
WHEREAS, the North Country Regional Economic Council Plan identified rail importance as
a major component of the region's economic health and calls for the retention of all existing rail lines,
and
WHEREAS, the rehabilitation and use of the Tahawus rail line as proposed by Saratoga and
North Creek Railway, LLC holds the potential for additional future passenger and tourism services,
while accommodating freight shipments to existing businesses, and
WHEREAS, the application of Saratoga and North Creek Railway, LLC to reactivate the
Tahawus line has been met with vehement opposition by Protect the Adirondacks!, Inc., as well as
resistance by the NYS DEC, Division of Lands and Forest, and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Queensbury Town Board that leaving these existing tracks
in place and unused is a waste of a community asset, and
WHEREAS, if a viable proposal for use of this existing infrastructure is made and will be
pursued (as we understand it has) then the tracks should be used for this purpose — otherwise, if no
future use of the rails is deemed feasible or likely should other alternative uses for this rail bed be
pursued so that this asset does not continue to deteriorate and remain in limbo, unused for any benefit
as has been the situation for many years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby expresses strong support for the
application of Saratoga and North Creek Railway, LLC to the Surface Transportation Board for
permission to operate the Tahawus line, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board believes that leaving the rail line in place, unused in any
way is not to the public's benefit and that it should be allowed to be put to use, preferably as currently
proposed by Saratoga and North Creek Railway, LLC, but ultimately if no rail use will be pursued in
the near future than for some other public use, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to send a
certified copy of this Resolution to the Surface Transportation Board, the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forest, the Essex County Board of Supervisors,
the Hon. Elizabeth O'C. Little, the Hon. Teresa Sayward, the Adirondack Association of Towns and
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Villages and such other officials and entities as deemed appropriate by the Town Board, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor and/or
Town Clerk to take such other and further actions as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this
Resolution.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of January, 2012, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Montesi, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mr. Metivier
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