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Conservation Advisory Board urges exploring New York State open-space grant; trustees ask staff to check landowner interest
Summary
The Conservation Advisory Board presented a state open-space conservation grant (awards $50,000–$3.5 million, no local match required) and suggested candidate parcels; trustees asked staff to run title checks and confirm landowner willingness before pursuing an application with a mid-April deadline.
The village’s Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) presented on March 17 a state open-space conservation grant opportunity that would fund land acquisition or conservation with awards ranging from $50,000 to $3.5 million and does not require a local match.
A CAB representative described possible target parcels including a school-owned tract near Vickers Creek (which CAB members said raised erosion and liability concerns), a parcel adjacent to the Department of Public Works yard, and several small northern parcels that could create connections to Hastings Hillside Woods and Chauncey Park. The presenter said the grant can cover acquisition-related costs such as title reports, appraisals, surveys and some post-closing site improvements.
Trustees discussed timing: backup materials in the packet listed an earlier deadline but staff said the current application window extends into mid-April, giving limited time for any application this year. Several trustees urged staff and CAB members to prioritize parcels where prior outreach to owners exists and where title reports or title searches can be obtained quickly.
Village staff and trustees noted standard application requirements: a letter of agreement from the landowner is required for the application, title work and an understanding of liens or encumbrances are needed, and the application is stronger if the parcel abuts existing parkland. Trustees asked CAB and staff to further investigate owner interest and prepare any necessary title documentation to be ready should the village decide to apply.
Next steps: CAB will continue vetting parcels; staff will check titles and owner interest and return to the board with a recommendation on whether to submit an application this cycle or next.
