294.2017 Ballot Proposal #3 Forest Preserve Land RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT BALLOT PROPOSAL #3 THAT CREATES A
LAND ACCOUNT TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC PUBLIC HEALTH AND
SAFETY CONCERNS FOR USE BY TOWNS, VILLAGES AND COUNTIES
HAVING NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE OTHER THAN USING
FOREST PRESERVE LAND
RESOLUTION NO.: 294, 2017
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHEREAS, the New York State Forest Preserve lands, in many instances, border local and
state highways where local government needs to use a portion of land to straighten a dangerous
road, replace a culvert to prevent floods, create a safer bike path, drill a water supply well, or install
broadband and other critical infrastructure, and
WHEREAS, a proposed New York State Constitutional Amendment will create a land
account with up to 250 acres of State Forest Preserve land eligible for use by towns, villages and
counties that have no viable alternative to using State Forest Preserve land to address specific public
health or safety concerns, and
WHEREAS, as in exchange for the land removed from the State Forest Preserve, another
250 acres of land will be added to the State Forest Preserve, subject to New York State legislative
approval, and
WHEREAS, the proposed Amendment also will allow bicycle trails and certain public
utility lines to be located within the width of specific highways that cross the State Forest Preserve
while minimizing removal of trees and vegetation, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Constitution has been amended to allow such projects in
the past, requiring approval by two separately elected New York State Legislatures and a Statewide
Referendum, and
WHEREAS, there exists currently a New York State Department of Transportation land
bank for New York State road projects which has a longstanding record of success, and
WHEREAS, if approved by the voters of New York State, Ballot Proposal 43 would
eliminate the time-consuming and costly bureaucratic process for completing important road
maintenance, utility installation and bicycle path creation projects in the Adirondacks and Catskills,
a process not faced by communities in any other region of New York State, and
WHEREAS, the Amendment has wide bipartisan support from local governments,
environmental protection organizations, business groups, recreational enthusiasts, and others for
two simple reasons in that it is for the public good and it is rooted in plain old common sense, and
WHEREAS, this Amendment represents the best possible solution to longstanding or
continuing issues, which local government leaders have worked for many years to resolve, and
WHEREAS, Ballot Proposal 43 on November 7, 2017 warrants the support of all the voters
of New York State,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Queensbury Town Board does hereby support Ballot Proposal 43 on
November 7, 2017, which is deemed critically important to our communities, the State Forest
Preserve, the environment and the People of the State of New York, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to forward
certified copies of this Resolution to the New York State Association of Counties - 540 Broadway,
5th Floor, Albany, New York 12207 and the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages —
P.O. Box 777 Mayfield, New York 12117.
Duly adopted this 211d day of October, 2017, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Brewer, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish