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La Grange board endorses land-conservation grant for nearby farm; two members recuse
Summary
The La Grange Town Board voted to endorse the Duchess Land Conservancy's application for a state farmland-protection grant to buy development rights on parcels that include about 16 acres in La Grange; Supervisor Marino and Deputy Supervisor Condan recused themselves because their homes border the proposed easement.
The La Grange Town Board voted Feb. 18 to authorize a letter of support for the Duchess Land Conservancy's application to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program to purchase development rights on Robert Misella's farm, two small parcels totaling about 16 acres on the town's eastern edge.
Erin Hogland, senior director of conservation and stewardship for the Duchess Land Conservancy, told the board the overall project covers roughly 200 acres and that "two of which fall within the town of La Grange on the very eastern edge of town, comprising about 16 acres off of North Cross Road." She said the property, historically known as the Wisman Farm, is actively farmed for hay and includes prime and statewide important soils that the program prioritizes.
Supervisor Marino announced he and Deputy Supervisor Condan would recuse themselves from consideration of the request because their homes are adjacent to the area that would be encumbered by the proposed conservation easement. Marino said he had confirmed the potential conflict with the town attorney and that both members would exit the meeting room while the board discussed the request.
Following the presentation the board considered a resolution that "support[ed] the Duchess Land Conservancy's application" and "authorize[d] the transmittal of a letter indicating said support." The motion was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Gian Graasso; the board carried the motion by voice vote with the two recusals noted.
Hogland said the conservancy has worked with the town on prior farmland-protection efforts and that protecting the parcel would expand locally conserved acreage to more than 1,000 acres under DLC stewardship. She also noted on-site features including freshwater wetlands and roughly a half-mile of Jackson Creek frontage that the DLC and state program view as important for water-quality and farmland-protection goals.
Next steps: the DLC will proceed with its grant application to the state program with the town's letter of endorsement. The board discussed scanning and emailing signed copies for administrative convenience; Marino and Condan did not sign due to their recusal.
(Reporting note: quotes and attributions come from the meeting transcript and were reviewed for spelling and clarity; the municipal name is rendered as La Grange per local usage.)
