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March 1, 2010

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="">  Most municipalities endorse a county planning office to oversee development

By DENISE A. RAYMO The Press Republican Mon Mar 01, 2010, 10:28 PM EST

PAUL SMITHS — Most municipalities generally support the idea of Franklin County spearheading some kind of planning effort.

But local representatives say it is crucial that they remain in the loop throughout the fact-finding process, with guaranteed participation in the final decision before legislators vote.

About 35 people from 16 of the county's 25 municipalities were recently asked to consider joining a grant application for up to $50,000 to study whether hiring a planning person, assembling a small staff or creating a full-blown planning office is the best way to spur economic development.

Letters of support for the grant application are to be submitted to Camoin Associates before March 12.

Camoin is working with the Adirondack North Country Association to secure up to $50,000 for a Local Government Efficiency grant, administered through the State Department of State.

There is a 10-percent matching fund needed if the application is successful.

Planning assistance
If created, the one-stop planning shop would guide, advise and support each town, village and school district to carry out economic priorities in their community.

Some projects could involve consolidation of duplicated efforts between municipalities, which would save money on hiring separate consultants.

John Tubbs, executive director of the county's Industrial Development Agency, said a centralized planning effort works for everyone because everything prospective investors need to know about the communities is in one place, including data on soil and water properties, infrastructure, Geographic Information System mapping, wetlands, U.S. Census information and workforce abilities.

And the communities themselves can use that information and the technical assistance of the planning staff on their own grant applications to make them stronger and more likely to have success.

"There is a level of expertise to access with the planning department," Tubbs said.

Cost questioned
Many attending agreed to the advantages such an arrangement could bring, but they want to know how much it will cost their taxpayers and whether they will have input at the end.

Exact figures will not be available until the data from the towns and villages is compiled. But, when creating a planning office was discussed at a previous meeting, it was suggested a staff of two to five people would cost between $200,000 and $350,000 a year.

"Do towns have an opportunity to say what we think, and is there give and take?" asked Malone Village Mayor Brent Stewart.

"It's easier to go along with (the application) if there is full participation later on to be sure some of our thoughts are listened to."

Tubbs promised openness with the municipalities throughout the process and said the County Legislature has the final decision.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com

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