BILL NUMBER: S7158
SPONSOR: O'MARA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 412 of the laws of 1990 relating to authorizing
the commissioner of environmental conservation to lease a portion of
state land to public television station WSKG, in relation to leasing
such land, tower and associated utility lines to the Tioga county emer-
gency services, the Newark Valley central school district, the Berkshire
fire department and the town of Berkshire highway department
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL:
Authorizes the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to lease state
land to the Tioga County bureau of fire, the Northern Tioga emergency
medical services, the Newark Valley central school district, the Berk-
shire fire department and the town of Berkshire highway department.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends chapter 412 of the laws of 1990 relating to authorizing
the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to lease a portion of
state land to public television station WSKG.
County Bureau of Fire, the Northern Tioga emergency medical services,
the Newark Valley central school district, the Berkshire fire department
and the town of Berkshire highway department. The lease shall be made
upon such terms and conditions as the commission determines, provided
the lease does not exceed twenty years.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Since 2004, the Berkshire Emergency Group has leased the radio tower
site from the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation. This tower
serves as the primary communication hub for Tioga County emergency
services, the Newark Valley Central School District, the Berkshire Fire
Department, and the Town of Berkshire Highway Department.
Moving forward, the Tioga County Bureau of Fire will become a leasehold-
er and will integrate the county's fire and EMS services through the
radio tower. Northern Tioga Emergency Medical Services, the Newark
Valley Central School District, the Berkshire Fire Department, and the
Town of Berkshire Highway Department will continue to rely on the tower
for their communication needs.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chap 412 of 1990; repealed Chap 33 of 1979
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.