SARATOGA SPRINGS-Matthew Veitch, Supervisor of Saratoga Springs, today announced his intention to push for $250,000, to be included in the 2009 budget for a new trail grant program for Saratoga County.

“Saratoga County has always been about growth.  Job creation, new economic development and residential developments, and other economic incentives are a part of what has made Saratoga County a great County,” Veitch said.  “I support these types of initiatives, but believe we need to balance our development with open space preservation and trail building initiatives.  A trail program that can assist the City of Saratoga Springs, and the towns within the County with their trail projects, is something that will improve the quality of life for all residents.”

The outline of the plan is similar to the Open Space Preservation grant program that the County already administers.  Individual Towns and Cities within the County can apply for the funds through a grant application.  There are certain criteria on which types of trail programs would receive priority funding.  The criteria at this time is still not specific, and details on exactly how the grants would be given would be up to a proposed ‘trail committee’ that would be formed at the Board of Supervisors next year.  Supervisor Veitch believes that going through the budget process this year is how this initiative should begin.

“I urge all my fellow Supervisors to support this initiative.” Veitch said.  “I intend to bring this proposal up at our next Economic Development Committee meeting.  The Economic Development Committee would then vote to make a recommendation to the Law and Finance committee to include these funds for trails in the budget.  In the past, the County Supervisors have voted in favor of implementing the Green Infrastructure Plan.  It is now time for us to commit more funding to its various programs.  As we move forward through our budget process at the County, I will plan on meeting with each of my colleagues to ask for their support of this important initiative.”