Saratoga County staff update covers open-space projects, timber harvest, fish stocking and regional trail planning

County planning staff gave the Saratoga County Trails and Open Space Committee a multipart update on open-space and trail projects, timber harvest activity, fish stocking plans and regional trail connections.

Jason, a staff member with the Office of Planning and Economic Development, told the committee the Town of Monroe open-space project is nearing closure and that applications for the 2025 farming and open-space and trails grant programs were distributed on March 11; the farming/open-space deadline is June 13 and the trails deadline is July 11. He said several ongoing trails grants are moving toward completion with municipal partners.

Jason described a timber harvest under way in the town of Barrow. He said the harvest is classified as "3B timber," is mostly red pine intended for poles, and that the contractor hired a subcontractor, Ryan Sweeney Tree Service, to perform the cutting. He said the…