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Lansing Town Board Members may significantly raise agricultural rent on a large portion of the 156 acre land that may become a town center some day.  In recent years local farmer Ray Sill has leased the land.  But board members are considering raising the rent five times higher than they previously charged.  Councilman Ed LaVigne estimated that the Town could add an additional $6,500 per year.  But board members had questions about what a fair rent would be.

"There are other farmers that are land hungry, depending on what they want to grow there," said LaVigne.  "Multiply $65 by 100 acres and you have to have an increase of assessed value of roughly $4.25 million back.  It's a big chunk of money every year.  It's found money."

After researching prevailing rates, board members said the fair value of the land should be based on the tillability of the land.  The low end of the price range would be $25, but it could go as high as $60 to $90 per acre.  Town Attorney said that former Councilwoman Connie Wilcox said last year that local farmers she had consulted thought $75 per acre would be a fair price.

Officials noted that farmers would pay more for a longer lease.  But with town center plans uncertain the Board may not be able to extend a lease that long.  Councilman Robert Cree repeatedly asked what a fair value would be, but there was no definitive answer.

In 2013 Lansing paid New York State $294,800 to have deed restrictions removed from the 156 acres on Route 34B across from the Town ballfields.  Lansing had purchased the land in 1992 for $109,500, but the deal included restrictions dating back to 1933 that limited it's use to parkland and recreation.  With the deed restrictions removed, some Lansing officials were gung-ho to begin work on a town center.  But that process has been stalled.

While a town walking trail has been established on the property about 85 acres has been farmed by local farmer Ray Sill for a number of years.  Deputy Supervisor Sharon Bowman says the Town has been charging Sill $15 per acre.  Board members did not know whether Sill would be interested in renting the land at a greater price.  They noted that local farmers are not generally aware that the Town leases the land.

Town Attorney said the board is charged with getting the fair value of the property because it is public land.  No official rate was set Wednesday, but board members noted they will have to act fast if the property is to be leased for this season.

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