BILL NUMBER:  S953

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act requiring resolutions be passed prior to the metropolitan
transportation authority's approval for improvements to the mainline
railroad track for the purposes of building a third track


 PURPOSE OF BILL :

To provide the localities which would be affected by the
implementation of a third track on the Long Island Railroad line to
have the opportunity to approve or disapprove such action.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1 precludes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
from approving any changes to the mainline railroad track, for the
purposes of building a third track, until the following communities
adopt a resolution approving such project:

* Bellerose Village
* Floral Park
* Garden City
* New Hyde Park
              

* Mineola
* Westbury
* Town of Hempstead
* Town of North Hempstead
* Town of Oyster Bay

Section 2 precludes the MTA from approving any improvements to the
mainline railroad track, for the purposes of building a third track,
unless 2/3rd of the above-mentioned communities adopt the
aforementioned resolution.

Section 3 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The MTA/LIRR's proposed Third Track project has the potential to have
devastating impacts on the local communities within the main line
corridor. The residents of Bellerose Terrace (Town of Hempstead),
Bellerose Village, Village of Floral Park, Village of New Hyde Park,
Garden City Park (Town of North Hempstead), Village of Garden City,
Village of Mineola, Carle Place (Town of North Hempstead), Village of
Westbury, New Cassel (Town of North Hempstead) and Hicksville (Town of
Oyster Bay) will be required to bear the brunt of this project and
will be subject to an abatement in their quality of life due to
declination of property values, increased noise pollution and
increased traffic on the major north-south roadways which will not
have grade crossings eliminated, among other factors.

The local municipalities will realize a loss of potential tax revenue
resulting from the taking of properties via eminent domain as well as
irreversible changes in the character of their neighborhoods.

Local municipalities, who will be so heavily impacted by a project of
this magnitude, must be empowered to preserve and protect their
residents and the future direction of the communities they are charged
with governing.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :


2007-08:  S.7037, Referred to Transportation; Motion to petition filed
and lost.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the State.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.