Lewis legislators table decision on railroad purchase

LOWVILLE — Lewis County legislators delayed for one month a decision on whether to buy a pair of rail lines.

“There’s too much unanswered questions,” said Legislator Paul M. Stanford, D-Watson.

Lawmakers voted 10-0 to table three resolutions authorizing the purchase of the 10-mile Lowville and Beaver River Railroad line between Croghan and Lowville from the Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad Corp. for $425,000. The corporation, a subsidiary of Genesee Valley Transportation, Batavia, would then grant the county the 17-mile Lowville Industrial Track from Lowville to West Carthage for $1.

Legislators also set a committee-meeting-of-the-whole for 8:30 a.m. Monday to continue discussions on the matter.

Mr. Stanford first tried to table the matter for two months, but the motion failed by a 6-4 vote, with Legislators Charles R. Fanning, R-Copenhagen; Philip C. Hathway, R-Harrisville; and Jerry H. King, R-West Leyden, joining him in support.

County officials would use a $450,000 state Environmental Protection Fund grant, awarded in 2010, to buy the rail lines and cover legal fees and other ancillary costs.

However, Mr. Stanford expressed concern about future costs to local taxpayers and the lack of consultation with landowners along the rail lines. “I don’t want anybody in my front yard with a shotgun,” he said.

Legislator Richard C. Lucas, R-Barnes Corners, chairman of the legislative Economic Development Committee, suggested that answers to most lawmakers’ questions are readily available, but Mr. Hathway said he still has a laundry list.

Under the plan, the railroad company would remove tracks from the donated spur so it could be developed as a recreational trail, but the Lowville-to-Croghan spur would remain intact to potentially allow the Railway Historical Society of Northern New York to operate a scenic railroad from its depot in Croghan.

“We need to preserve this for future generations,” Laurie A. Halladay, the society’s secretary/treasurer and part-time curator, told legislators.

A scenic railroad could also mean “mucho bucks” in tourist dollars, she said.

Joseph Z. Onyon, president of the Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association, also spoke in support of the rail purchase, and legislators received several letters of support.

However, retired Lewis County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director Ned E. Cole urged lawmakers to do their “homework” to ensure the project does not add law enforcement, maintenance and other costs that will be borne by county taxpayers.

“You need to do due diligence,” said Joanne Dicob, whose town of New Bremen property is along the rail line.

Mrs. Dicob complained of the secrecy involved in the project’s newest incarnation and suggested the line is deteriorated and would require much time and money to fix.

“Who will pay to upgrade the tracks?” added Linda M. Sandri, the county’s Democratic Party chairwoman.

Helen I. Pogge, a member of the Railway Historical Society, replied that her organization had restored a 1948 locomotive with essentially volunteer help, and members would do the same with the tracks if given the opportunity.

Legislators also tabled a proposed tipping fee hike on trash to allow time to discuss the matter with Casella Waste Systems, the area’s largest hauler.