Re-Elect

LaGrange Town Supervisor

Jon  J.  Wagner

Open Space

Supervisor Wagner at an Open Space rally Fall 2008

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Supervisor Wagner saw the need to preserve open space early on in his term as a Town Councilman. The Master Plan which was completed in 2005 did not contain a "stand alone" open space plan. The first Open Space Committee was put into place by Wagner when he was elected Supervisor. That committee completed the task of developing an Open Space Plan. That work was completed by citizen volunteers assisted by a proffesional planning company. The process was typical to the methods employed by Supervisor Wagner. Hundreds of LaGrange voters participated in workshop sessions to develop the plan. Large land owners and our remaining Family Farmers were consulted for their input toward the plan.

One very important need that our remaining farmers described to the Supervisor, was their need for tax relief to stay in business. Specifically, the farmers spoke of the need to gain fire tax relief on that portion of their land that serves to support crops. Supervisor Wagner met several times with the LaGrange Fire Commissioners, and that relief was granted.

That action has made the difference in whether or not our largest remaining farms keep farming. The loss of those farms to residential development would have been disastorous to the charecter of our town, and would have precipitated the need for increased services to those new properties. The relief from fire tax on undeveloped land was identified as a good technique for open space preservation in the LaGrange plan. The implimentation of the tax relief served as the first step and has kept our farmers in business.

During the process, the participants learned that LaGrange taxpayers see open space preservation as a priority for their town. Repeated surveys confirmed that fact. On election day 2008, the question was put to the voters and they overwhelmingly voted to give the Town Board the authority to bond up to two million dollars for the preservation of open space.

Supervisor Wagner is committed to a transparent process for deciding what lands will be preserved through the bond authority. The Open Space Implementation Committee has submitted a draft application, which is being reviewed. The Town Board will approve the final applications before it is used.

The application will use a point system based on the criterea set forth in the LaGrange Open Space Plan. The Open Space Commeett is consulting with the Dutchess Land Conservency for assistance in the application review process.

Public information sessions will be set prior to ANY money being committed toward preservation of specific parcels.