| BOLTON -- In the
hopes of preserving public access to Lake George, the
Town Board is asking the state to help it buy the
Norowal Marina for $4.5 million.
The marina on Sagamore Road is the nearest launching
point for 350 of the state's island campsites. Built in
1946 by the Lamb family, the marina has been run since
1974 by Walter "Buzzy" Lamb. On Tuesday, Lamb, who is
60, said he is ready to retire but has turned down $6.5
million offered by developers. He wants Norowal to
remain open to the public.
Supervisor Alexander Gabriels III said if the marina is
developed into housing -- a lakewide trend -- it would
have tremendous implications for tourism in Bolton and
beyond.
Gabriels said the Town Board would borrow $2 million
to cover its portion, a debt he hopes would be repaid
using money earned at the launch. The town is home to
2,200 year-round residents who pay a property tax rate
of 71 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The supervisor
said the purchase -- the town's first foray into
commercial real estate -- would not raise tax rates.
"Having the marina in Bolton is critical to the
livelihood of the town and access to the campsites,"
Lamb said in an interview from his winter home in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla.
In August, the Town Board hired a consultant to
prepare a feasibility analysis of Norowal. The report
concluded that buying the marina was likely to ensure
public access in the future as well as provide a place
to park boat trailers -- a feature that Gabriels said
doesn't exist to the same extent at neighboring marinas.
Lamb said there is space to park a mix of 250 cars,
trucks and trailers. There are 70 slips along the docks,
of which Lamb rents out 36 for seasonal use.
"Because of the topography of the shoreline, the
money is in condos and single-family houses," Gabriels
said. "There is money to be made in leasing dock space
to upland property owners, but it's not best for the
public good."
The supervisors said the town would likely maintain
Lamb's prices. Day parking is $6 per vehicle and $15 to
launch a power boat.
No one at the state level has responded formally to
Bolton's request.
"The Department of Environmental Conservation is
interested in maintaining public access, and we
recognize how important a marina is to the campgrounds,"
said DEC spokesman Michael Fraser. "This was recently
brought to our attention. We will sit with town
officials and other interested parties."
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