JOHNSTOWN — The Fulton County Board of Supervisors on Monday declared itself the lead agency in the state Environmental Quality Review process for a Hales Mills Road waterline project in the town of Johnstown.
Supervisors in 2015 hired Environmental Design Partnership of Clifton Park to prepare preliminary engineering plans. County officials have for the last few years talked about developing the Hales Mills Road area near Gloversville’s Walmart to attract more new businesses. The new waterline will be part of the county’s ongoing Smart Waters initiative.
The board on Monday classified the Hales Mills waterline project as an “unlisted action” and proposed it serve as the lead agency. As lead agency, the Fulton County Board of Supervisors can conduct a coordinated SEQR review and issue a determination of significance.
County Planning Director James Mraz was authorized to distribute copies of an environmental assessment form and project documents to all involved agencies. They will be asked to consent to the board as lead agency and will be given 25 days to respond.
In other action:
∫ The board requested state legislation to designate certain Fulton County waterways as inland waterways. The waterways are: the Cayadutta Creek, Kennyetto Creek, East and West Caroga lakes, Mayfield Lake and Northville Lake.
∫ Supervisors approved spending $12,200 in 2013 state grant funds to purchase two VHF hi-band frequencies to address interference problems in Sheriff’s Department radio transmissions.
County Administrative Officer Jon Stead said the county won’t be able to gauge success until the frequencies are established.
“We won’t really know until we set it up,” Stead said.
∫ The board passed a resolution in memory of former Caroga Supervisor Bruce H. Busch, who died Saturday. He served on the board from 1984 through 1993, serving as chairman in 1990.
“He was a very distinguished guy,” Stead said. “He took his job very seriously. He had a great financial mind.”
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
