BILL NUMBER: S9135

SPONSOR: RITCHIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "Firefighter Peyton L. S. Morse Memorial
Bridge"

 
PURPOSE:

Designates the bridge on state route 180, crossing the Chaumount River
in the town of Orleans, county of Jefferson, from the Town of Orleans
library to the La Fargeville Central School campus, as the "Firefighter
Peyton L. S. Morse Memorial Bridge."

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 344-n, which
designates the bridge on state route 180, crossing the Chaumount River
in the town of Orleans, county of Jefferson, from the Town of Orleans
library to the La Fargeville Central School campus, as the "Firefighter
              

Peyton L. S. Morse Memorial Bridge."

Section 2: States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide
for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway system as designated pursuant to section 1 of this act. The
designation will be for ceremonial purposes only, and the official name
of such bridge will not be changed as a result of this act.

Section 3: Effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Peyton Lane S. Morse was a beloved member of his community, devoted
volunteer and generous young man who tragically died in March of 2021.
This legislation serves to pay tribute to Mr. Morse, his contributions
to his community and the legacy he leaves behind.

He was born on May 3, 1999 in Watertown, New York and graduated from La
Fargeville Central School in 2017. In 2021 he graduated from Siena
College, where he mentored students as a resident advisor and served as
a volunteer with the Shaker Road-Loudonville Fire Department.

In 2021, Peyton began his "dream job" as a City of Watertown Firefight-
er, but tragically passed away shortly thereafter during a training
exercise at New York State Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

He will be remembered for his legacy of generosity, positivity and hard
work. Community service was a cornerstone of his life and he was
involved in a number of local organizations as well as a member of the
LaFargeville Volunteer Fire Department, where at the time of his pass-
ing, he was Assistant Fire Chief. Peyton's generous nature extended
beyond his earthly life and by being an organ donor, he was able to save
the lives of three people after his passing.

Peyton Lane S. Morse leaves behind a legacy that will long endure the
passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served
and befriended. Through this legislation, which will name a bridge in
his honor, we can in one small way ensure this young man is never
forgotten.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

This legislation would effectively have no fiscal impact on state and
local governments. The New York State Department of Transportation would
be required to develop signage to mark the bridge.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.