Authorizes the town of Southampton, county of Suffolk to establish road improvement districts within substandard road zones designated by the town pursuant to the general municipal law

BILL NUMBER:S4418A

Title of bill

An act authorizing the town of Southampton, Suffolk county, to establish road improvement districts within substandard road zones designated by the town pursuant to the general municipal law

Purpose or general idea of bill

To authorize the Southampton Town Board to establish road improvement districts within substandard road zones designated by the town pursuant to the General Municipal Law.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. An act to permit the Town of Southampton to establish a special road improvement district or districts pursuant to Article 12 and 12-A of the town law.

Section 2. The purpose of a road improvement district in the town of Southampton shall be to permit the town to improve private substandard roads located within substandard road zones designated by the Southamp- ton Town Board, pursuant to Article 15 of the General Municipal Law, in order to meet the standard for dedication and acceptance into the town highway system. Such improvements, construction, or reconstruction shall be subject to and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the highway law with procedures established by the New York State Department of Transportation. Once improvements are completed, said road shall be dedicated and accepted into the town highway system.

Section 3. Provides that any road improved pursuant to this act which is dedicated and accepted into the town highway system shall thereafter be maintained as a public highway. Such maintenance shall become a general town charge and no longer a charge of the road improvement district. Once all private substandard roads located within such district have been dedicated and accepted into the town highway system, the district shall be deemed dissolved and discontinued.

Section 4. Provides for an immediate effective date.

Justification

There is approximately 117 miles of unimproved roadways in the Town of Southampton. Passage on many unimproved roads is becoming more and more difficult by residents because they are in dire need of significant repair. With the increased frequency and intensity of coas- tal storms hitting the area, potential safety concerns have also arisen because the hazardous conditions of unimproved roads could severely hinder a resident's access to help during an emergency situation. As such, the Southampton Town Board has been in discussions with members of an advisory committee formed by concerned residents on finding a way to make it easier and less expensive to maintain areas of troublesome unim- proved roads.

This legislation would offer a solution to allow the Town of Southampton to address the concerns of affected residents by authorizing the South- ampton Town Board to establish road improvement districts within substandard road zones designated by the town pursuant to the General Municipal Law.

Prior legislative history

2013: New Legislation.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.