Vote follows debate over program rules
Putnam legislators voted on Tuesday (Aug. 20) to reject properties in Philipstown and four other towns for inclusion in the county’s agricultural district, two weeks after tabling the matter over a disagreement about the program’s requirements.
By a 5-3 vote, the Legislature denied George Whipple’s application to add Castle Rock and three other Philipstown properties to the district. The Putnam Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board earlier had voted 9-2 to allow the designation.
The Legislature’s vote also affected four other operations approved by the board: Big Red Barn Farm in Putnam Valley and Kascade Enterprises in Carmel, which board horses; and Lobster Hill Farm in Southeast and Ridge Ranch in Patterson, which breed livestock.
Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley, joined William Gouldman of Putnam Valley and Erin Crowley of the Town of Carmel in voting to accept the Agricultural Board’s recommendations.
Established by the state in 1971, the Agricultural Districts program is intended to “conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement” of farmland. The benefits to farmers include being exempt from “unreasonable” local laws that might restrict operations.
