REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
October 1, 2008
Page 4

PRESENTATIONS

Mohawk Valley EDGE

Peter Zawko, Oneida County Empire Zone Coordinator, apprised the Town Board that the Oneida County Zone Administrative Board (ZAB) has requested a technical boundary correction to the Oneida County Empire Zone in the Town of New Hartford. When Oneida County re-drew its Empire Zone boundaries in 2005, it designated 222.1 acres in the Town of New Hartford, 13.9 acres of which fall within various utility easements, which makes them undevelopable for commercial/industrial purposes. The New Hartford Business Park owners approached Oneida County to make a change to the existing boundaries to delete the 13.9 acres of power line easements and replace that acreage with 13.9 acres of prime development property to facilitate the ongoing expansion of the New Hartford Business Park. The Oneida County ZAB would like to have a concurring resolution adopted by the Town that they are in agreement with this revision and for the County to proceed with the revision. Mr. Zawko confirmed the 13.9 acres revision is a “trade”.

Upon Councilman Reynolds’ questioning, Mr. Zawko explained that Mohawk Valley EDGE is involved in economic development, including enticing new business to the Mohawk Valley while helping existing businesses flourish, the Empire Zone Program (tax credits), administering the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA), loan funds (gap financing), work with different partner agencies, site locations and realtors.

Councilman Payne moved that action be tabled until the Special Town Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2008.

Ralph Reed* (amended Oct 22, 2008) and Edmund Wiatr Jr., inquired if the same person owned all the property, and who had approached the ZAB for this revision, respectively. Mr. Zawko responded that the New Hartford Business Park/Lawrence Adler had approached the County. (Amended: Ralph Humphrey)