To the Editor:

The town of Berne is inviting nominations for membership to the Board of the Game Farm Road Project.  This will be a working board comprised of seven individuals both eager and interested in the future of the property and its uses.

Candidates may be self-nominated, or nominated by someone familiar with the nominee’s interest in the project.  Those nominated by others will be contacted to confirm their willingness to serve.  The board will represent the diversity of the community and a diversity of interests in the project’s development.

In January of 2015, Berne purchased the Game Farm Road property with the financial assistance of grants from The Open Space Institute Land Trust and the Albany County Capital Resource Corporation.

The Open Space Institute works to preserve and protect critical habitats from loss to development. It supports communities demonstrating interest in preserving rural lands by providing grants to assure conservation of the land. Open Space considered the town of Berne as a potential buyer based on the town’s demonstrated interest in preserving rural lands within its borders.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy supported the purchase, helping to craft a conservation easement that assures the rural nature of the property will be preserved.

The 355-acre parcel offers many opportunities for economic development and diverse recreational activities.  The Albany County Capital Resource Corporation, an offspring of the Albany County Industrial Development Agency, recognized this when it granted the town  $125,000 funding toward the purchase.  The existing lodge and the retreat center on the property hold great potential for local employment and business. 

The $125,000 Capital Resource Corporation grant, together with a grant of $237,500 toward the purchase price from the Open Space institute Land Trust, allowed the town to purchase the property with $112,500 of town funds going toward the purchase.

Development of the Game Farm Road Property will proceed through several phases.  In this, the start-up phase, a board will be selected, the terms of governance defined, a set of strategies developed, and visioning workshops for public input scheduled and implemented.

The governing board will suggest policy, shape activities, evaluate and recommend uses, work with The Friends of the Game Farm Road Property, and oversee the operation of the project.  The board’s recommendations will be submitted to the Berne Town Board for final approval.

Nominations will be accepted through March 20.  Application forms may be found on the town of Berne website, or obtained from Berne’s town clerk, Anita Clayton, at the Berne Town Hall.

Karen Schimmer, council member

Berne Town Board