Greene County authorizes submission for Haines Falls pedestrian project amid questions over local match and resolution language

Greene County officials on the record authorized the county to submit a grant application for the Haines Falls Pedestrian Improvement Project but repeatedly stressed the authorization must remain contingent on external funding commitments.

The board voted to authorize the submission of the application for what speakers described as a maximum project cost of $940,300, with an estimated funding split of 80% from a federal highway grant and 15% from the New York State Department of Transportation. "Greg Manning is doing the application for free," said Speaker 2. The remaining 5% has been requested from Senator Michelle Hinchey's office, Speaker 2 added, and the group said they expect to know whether that pledge will be secured by the March 12 application deadline.

Why it matters: Board members said they support the project'which was presented as a pedestrian and bicycle connection of roughly a third to a half mile improving access to Hunter, Haines Falls and North-South Lake'but emphasized they do not want the county to be left paying match costs if the outside commitments do not materialize.

Board concerns and details: During discussion several members urged revising the resolution text so it identifies funding sources rather than naming a particular elected official. Speaker 1 said, "Perhaps the language in the resolution should say where the money's coming from, not in a particular politician who's elected to office." Speaker 3 asked that the county only authorize filing the application that night, not commit to disbursing county funds until awards and reimbursement details are confirmed. Speaker 2 said the application language may follow established templates and he was not certain whether removing funding references would be acceptable to the grant program.

On potential county exposure, officials estimated the local share if Senator Hinchey's 5% did not come through would be approximately $35,000 to $50,000, not the larger $930,000-plus figure referenced as the total project maximum. Speaker 2 said, "It will likely be less than that" and that the engineers are refining costs; board members requested a line-item breakdown and a square-footage estimate for materials and labor before final commitments are made.

Maintenance: The board also asked who would maintain the new sidewalk. "The town will own the sidewalks, and it will be a shared services" arrangement between the village of Tannersville and the town of Hunter, Speaker 2 said.

Outcome and next steps: The board called the vote on the authorization. Several members responded "Aye"; two members were noted as opposing on the record. The motion was carried. Staff said they will provide a more detailed cost breakdown (by square footage) and clarified the project remains contingent on award and successful reimbursement documentation. The application deadline was cited as March 12, with announcements on awards expected by October.

Votes at a glance: "Authorizing top grama submission, Haines Walls Pedestrian Improvement Project" ' motion carried; opposition noted on the record. Other routine consent items on the same agenda (assessment roll chargebacks, contract change orders, vehicle purchases, and several intergovernmental agreements) were also called and carried in the meeting; those items were presented and approved largely without extended debate.

What remains unresolved: Board members asked staff to return with the requested line-item cost breakdown and to clarify whether grant-application language can omit naming a particular officeholder as a source of the 5% match. The county will proceed with filing the application but repeated that costs will be contingent on award and reimbursement procedures.