Warren County authorizes grant application and capital project for railroad feasibility study

The Warren County Public Works Committee voted to authorize pursuit of a railroad feasibility study after staff described a funding opportunity through Empire State Development. Presenters said the grant amount would be $100,000 with a 50/50 match and that a $50,000 award had been secured; the committee approved moving the item forward and asked the chair to sign the grant agreement.

Committee discussion covered timing and funding sources. Staff said if authorized, procurement for a consultant could begin in the next few months and consultant invoices could start within four to five months. The committee also voted to establish a capital project for the study and to refer the source of the local match to the finance committee. The motion to authorize the grant carried with one vote opposed (Mr. Beatty).

Presenters and committee members emphasized a public process for the study and noted the county had previously passed a resolution to exit routine railroad operations; the feasibility study is intended to determine whether and how the county should manage or dispose of the rail asset going forward. The committee discussed likely start and procurement timelines and will review funding-source recommendations from finance before finalizing the local match.