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Town board backs Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway resolution and offers a support letter
Summary
The board passed a resolution supporting the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and agreed to provide a letter of support; a Syracuse-based consultant said the byway would link sites across the state and could generate tourism dollars without local financial obligations for signage.
Nikkita Jankowski, who said she represents Bellside Communications and was engaged by the steering committee of the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State, described a proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway that would link sites across the state from New York City to Niagara, including Auburn and Syracuse.
Jankowski said Maryland’s byway has produced millions in local economic impact and that the New York effort seeks municipal resolutions supporting a route that will be administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). She told the board that NYSDOT assumes the cost of official byway signage along the route, that existing billboards would be grandfathered and that municipalities make no financial commitment under the NYSDOT process.
Councilor Bernard moved the resolution in the packet and the board approved it by voice vote; members also agreed the board would provide a letter of support. Jankowski offered a template and said she would draft the letter if the town would sign and submit it.
Ending: The Town Board passed the resolution supporting the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and agreed to submit a letter of support to the steering committee and NYSDOT. Staff and local tourism partners were invited to coordinate on potential informational signage and interpretive opportunities.
