Land Bank Legislation, Buy Fair Tickets Online

This week, Governor Cuomo signed into law legislation I sponsored (S.6731) that increases to 20 the allowable number of land banks in New York State.

Land banks, entities that take control of problem properties and then redevelop or dispose of them in a manner consistent with the public's interest, are a proven strategic tool for cities and counties where the number of vacant properties outpaces the private market's ability to deal with them. Land banks are proving to be effective tools to reduce blight and advance community revitalization.

In less than two-and-a-half years, eight land banks have been created. Now this successful program will be accessible in communities around the state that are currently considering the formation of land banks to improve dilapidated and abandoned properties and see them back on the tax rolls. Under law, only ten land banks may exist in New York State. In order to empower these municipalities, New York must increase the number of land banks permitted.

State Fair Tickets Available Online

Making plans to attend the New York State Fair this year? For the first time, tickets can be purchased in advance online at a savings of more than 40%. The fair runs from August 21 to September 1.

The secure website sells five products including the single-day ticket, which will be mailed free of charge to buyers:

• $6 single-day advance sale ticket. That's a 40% savings over the $10 charge for admission at the gate during the Fair.
• $30 Frequent Fairgoer ticket book, which contains 6 days' worth of tickets. That's a 50% savings over the full general admission price.
• $20 single-day rides wristband voucher. The voucher saves $5 over the weekday price and $10 over the weekend price. The wristband allows a fairgoer to ride the all-new Wade Shows Midway rides all day.
• $70 voucher for the Mega Pass, which allows a fairgoer to ride Midway rides all day every day of the Fair.
• $5 daily parking pass

How to Get Rid of Propane Tanks

OCRRA has a guide to safely and properly disposing of used or old propane tanks. Information is available on the OCRRA website.

Public Comment Sought on Proposed Gas Compressor Station

In June, a workgroup was established to identify residents' health concerns regarding a proposed gas compressor station in Sheds in the town of Georgetown. The proposed gas compressor station would be added along an already existing gas pipeline. A compressor station would help transport natural gas from one location to another by compressing the gas, thereby increasing its pressure and providing the energy to move the gas through the pipeline.

The workgroup was started by a concerned group of community members and elected officials from the town of Georgetown, town of DeRuyter, and also includes the Madison County Health Department. The workgroup seeks to collect information and feedback from the community to ensure that any local concerns are considered during the evaluation of the proposed project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Residents from the towns of Georgetown and DeRuyter are encouraged to provide their health concerns and feedback to the workgroup by August 15. Comments may be submitted in writing to: 995 State Route 26, PO Box 103, Georgetown, NY, 13072; by email to Georgetowncompressorproject@gmail.com or by phone at (315) 837-4299.