Geraghty charts course for county gov't

QUEENSBURY | Warren County will be focusing on expanding and improving mental health services, cellular coverage, rural healthcare and EMS services while investing time and money into tourism initiatives, county Board of Supervisors chairman Kevin Geraghty told county officials in a recent presentation of the county's goals for 2025 and achievements over the past year. "There will be challenges in 2025, but we will continue to focus on the most important projects and priorities that will make this county one of the best places to live in the state and the country," he said at the board of supervisors' January meeting. Geraghty said the county government will be focusing on initiatives that create good-paying jobs. "We'll be continuing efforts to retain and attract new businesses, particularly in technology and healthcare-related products, maximizing tax benefits for start-ups and small businesses," he said. Geraghty also said that paving and rebuilding roadways would continue to be a priority, noting that the county invested $5.1 million into improving roadways in 2024, an increase of $1.1 million over the prior year. In addition, Warren County appropriated $3.2 million to repair roadway storm damage and to upgrade culverts. He also said the county would be prioritizing enhancements to recreational infrastructure — through investing nearly $8 million of Occupancy Tax revenue — to support tourism. Also, he said that the supervisors would be revisiting the fate of the county-owned rail line. While railway operators have failed over three decades in their efforts to provide passenger service or freight hauling, a subsequent recreational rail-bike attraction has flourished. However, many people in the region have advocated converting the railway to a rail trail for bicycling — such bike paths have reaped substantial economic benefits elsewhere in the Northeast U.S. Some people have advocated for such a bicycling trail to be developed alongside the county railroad tracks so Revolution Rail could continue its operation which has proven to be a major tourist attraction. "In 2025, we'll begin discussions on options and alternatives for the Warren County rail line," Geraghty said. Also, Geraghty noted the need to work with neighboring counties to establish a regional morgue in the face of ever-increasing costs of autopsies, as such expenses are now burdening municipalities. In addition, Geraghty noted that boosting access to emergency medical services, particularly fast-response Advanced Life Support in the county's rural areas, was vitally important. He pledged that the county would work with all its municipalities on this objective. "We will be developing a strategy for addressing these critical services," he said, noting that the county's aging population was a principal factor driving the need for efficient, quality EMS care.

Signup for our newsletter

Geraghty charts course for county gov't

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS