Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages: News: News [Digital Towpath]

03/29/08 Winter Economic Engine Rally
April 17, 2008

AATV President, Bill Farber had an opportunity to hear from snowmobiliers, business owners, chamber officials, and economic developers on Saturday, at a forum designed to remind policy makers of the importance of snowmobiling in the Adirondacks. Bill reassured the group that he and the local governments he represents are very aware of the significance of snowmobiling, and that AATV will continue to remind policy makers of that fact. THe following is a news release on the meeting:

Adirondack Groups Rally

For Winter's Economic Engine

Snowmobiling called critical to winter survival for many communities

LONG LAKE, NY - More than 50 people - including local government leaders, economic development officials and snowmobilers - called on state officials Saturday to recognize the need for protecting the Adirondacks' winter economic engine.

"Here today, on the ground in the Adirondacks, snowmobiling is the winter economy," said Bill Farber, president of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages.

Speakers at the afternoon conference represented the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, the Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce, Sen. Betty Little's office, the New York State Snowmobile Association and others.

The meeting, held at the Long View Lodge in the heart of the Adirondacks, was in response to a recent Adirondack Park Agency decision to place an arbitrary cap on the amount of snowmobile trails in the Adirondack Park.

The threat represented by the APA's decision - which would impact existing trails on privately owned land that is purchased by the state in the future - imperils the already tenuous winter economy throughout the Adirondacks.

Todd Shimkus, president & CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce, spoke of the broad economic benefits of snowmobiling and pointed to an industry estimate that snowmobilers spend $3,000 per season on tourism-related businesses, including food, lodging and other needs.

Referencing a comment by the state's Albany-area economic development official at the last APA meeting who suggested snowshoers might replace snowmobilers as a viable economic force, Shimkus noted: "We have over 200 brochures in our racks - I couldn't find one on snowshoeing," though there was a comprehensive brochure showing existing snowmobile trails.

Long Lake Supervisor Gregg Wallace told the crowd, "We've got to do everything we can to ensure snowmobiling continues in the Adirondacks. This is an issue of survivability, not just sustainability."

Fred Monroe, executive director of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board called for more balance between environmental and economic protection in the Adirondacks.

"There needs to be a study of economic impact on snowmobiling in the Adirondacks," Monroe said.

SURVEYS are in the Mail!!
April 16, 2008

The Adirondack Park Regional Assessment surveys have been mailed to local governments. If you have not received your study, please contact the Project Manager:

James M. Martin, Project Manager

The LA Group, P.C.

40 Long Alley

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

(518) 587-8100

Project Vision

"This partnership effort represents a new approach to solving long-standing development problems in the Adirondacks while protecting the resources and qualities making the Park a great place to live."

J.R. Risley, 2007 President, AATV

The project is supported with funds provided by the New York State Department of State Under the

Quality Communities Grant Program

Regional Assessment Project
February 15, 2008

ADIRONDACK PARK REGIONAL ASSESSMENT STUDY

REGIONAL MEETINGS COMPLETION

Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages (AATV) and Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), and the Towns of Chester and Arietta, sponsors of the Adirondack Regional Assessment Study have completed a series of regional meetings throughout the Adirondack Park. These meetings were well attended and guests provided input to the economic/community development research project that is nearing completion. The survey aspect of the project will be distributed to all 103 towns and villages in the park and will develop a critical database of information to support Park-wide economic development planning. The steering committee appreciates the time, effort and input that was given by attendees at these

meetings. For further information on the project, feel free to contact the Project Manager:

James M. Martin, Project Manager

The LA Group, P.C.

40 Long Alley

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

(518) 587-8100

Project Vision

"This partnership effort represents a new approach to solving long-standing development problems in the Adirondacks while protecting the resources and qualities making the Park a great place to live."

J.R. Risley, 2007 President, AATV

The project is supported with funds provided by the New York State Department of State Under the

Quality Communities Grant Program

Smart Growth Program
September 17, 2007

DEC OPENS ADIRONDACK SMART GROWTH APPLICATIONS

$1 Million Available for Municipalities

New York State has opened up the application process for $1 million in grants to Adirondack Park communities, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. An official Request for Application (RFA) has been mailed to more than 100 units of local governments in the Park and has been posted on the DEC website (www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/37874.html ).

The new Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program is geared at helping Park communities develop plans that foster sustainable development, environmental protection and community livability. DEC will be assisted by the Department of State and the Adirondack Park Agency in the implementation of the program.

"The Adirondack Park is America's largest, and one of the oldest, state parks in the country, a mosaic of public and private lands. It also is the home of 130,000 permanent residents, more than 115 municipal governments and dozens of hamlets that help define the character and culture of the park," Grannis said. "The continued protection of the Park starts with the protection of its communities and residents - and this grant program will help provide the financial resources they need to invest in planning for their future."

Grannis had announced the launch of the program in July. The rapid completion of the formal application "reflected my commitment to get this grant process ready to go as soon as possible," the commissioner added. DEC has now finalized the application process and guidelines, including the following grant categories:

•n Village, Hamlet and Town Center Revitalization.

•n Sustainable Economic Development.

•n Cultural, Environmental and Natural Adirondack Resources.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 15. The Department anticipates announcing grant awards in January.

A series of workshops have been scheduled, with the assistance of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, to brief potential municipal government applicants on the grant program. (The schedule is detailed below.)

Parties can apply for local, regional or Park-wide planning grants geared at addressing the special conditions of the Adirondack Park. Municipal- and local-government applicants are encouraged to work with higher education institutions and non-profit organizations with expertise in park-related matters. Awards, covering 100 percent of project costs, will be made on a competitive basis.

The Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program is modeled after the national "smart growth" movement, which promotes strategic planning to achieve growth that balances the need for economic development with protection of the natural and built environment. Governor Eliot Spitzer provided $2 million in the 2007-8 state budget for ``Smart Growth Funds'' and earmarked half to go to Adirondack Park communities.

"We are committed to working with local officials and other stakeholders in the Park to improve the economy and community livability in the Park and its many hamlets, villages and town centers," Grannis said.

Local officials expressed support for the initiative.

"Planning for the future is an important responsibility of any municipality, including those within the Adirondack Park," said Senator Betty Little, R-Queensbury. "Our Adirondack local governments face some unique challenges. With very limited tax bases, they sometimes lack the resources needed to turn good planning ideas into reality. This program makes available a new source of funding to help our Adirondack communities and the people they serve. I am hopeful many will seize the opportunity by applying this fall and I appreciate Commissioner Pete Grannis' and the DEC's initiative in making this funding available."

The Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages encouraged communities to apply.

"We are looking forward to working with the Department to present these workshops around the Park that will provide the attendees with the tools needed to make good strong application for smart growth grants," said Association President J.R. Risley, Inlet town supervisor. "The funding available to communities within the Adirondacks can be used to take a hard look at current issues that each town, village and county might be experiencing. It can also be used to look in to the future and plan for what will be the best for their unique situation."

Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grants Program Public Workshops

Date Location Time

Sept. 25 SUNY ESF Ranger School 4 to 6:00 PM

257 Ranger School Road

Wanakena, NY 13695

Sept. 27 NYS DEC Regional Headquarters 4 to 6:00 PM

1115 State Route 86

Main Conference Room

Ray Brook, NY 12977

Oct. 3 NYS DEC Warrensburg Office 4 to 6:00 PM

Conference Room

232 Golf Course Road

Warrensburg, NY 12885

Oct. 4 Adirondack Museum at Blue Mt. Lake 4 to 6:00 PM

Auditorium (left of driveway)

Routes 28N & 30

Blue Mt. Lake, NY 12812

AATV Representatives meet with Governor-Elect Spitzer's environmental advisor.
December 28, 2006

Representatives of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages (AATV) and the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board met with Governor-Elect Spitzer's environmental advisor Judith Enck at the Capitol on December 15, 2006. Ms. Enck assured the representatives that Governor-Elect Spitzer is committed to developing policies to improve the economy of the Adirondack Park whie protecting its natural resources. The meeting included discussions of Adirondack state land acquisitions, the Adirondack economy and affordable housing. AATV Executive Director Carol Hart was appointed to Governor-Elect Spitzer's Energy and Environment Policy Committee and attended its final meeting and presentation to Governor-Elect Spitzer in New York City on December 14, 2006.

Annual Meeting
June 05, 2006

Association of Towns Conference
February 25, 2006

Update on 2006 Conference