Putnam County moves to amend Tilly Foster Farm conservation easement to expand usable areas

Putnam County planning staff and outside counsel told the Physical Services Committee on Feb. 10 that the county is moving forward with an amendment to the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) conservation easement for Tilly Foster Farm.

Andrew Negro, outside counsel, said the county acquired about 130 acres through donation and plans to add that acreage to the WAC easement while amending the easement’s use areas around building footprints and barns. Negro said the amendment would expand usable area by about 24 acres. He confirmed a prior typographical error in reported acreage was corrected during the environmental review process and that the documents were re‑circulated with no additional comments from involved agencies.

Commissioner Barbara Barosa said the change will allow the county greater flexibility to hold programs and events — for example, permitting Cornell Cooperative to start a seedling program in the back fields — without seeking WAC approval for each event. Negro emphasized that the WAC agreement remains in effect and the council retains regulatory control over the easement areas.

Legislator Montgomery, who said she has been critical of using the site for non‑agricultural events, stressed she wants to ensure the agricultural portion of the farm remains protected as the property evolves and suggested allowing fishing. Negro and Commissioner Thomas Feighery said the 120–130 acres being added will be farmed and that the access road will be improved.

Chairman Gouldman moved to pre‑file the necessary resolution to move forward with the easement amendment process; Legislator Sayegh seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The amendment will return to the Legislature for final approval after the lead‑agency and easement amendment steps are complete.