Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation sponsored by New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) which authorizes the Town of Southampton to establish road improvement districts. The bill (A.6429-A/S.4418-A) was sponsored by Senator Ken LaValle in the Senate.

There are approximately 117 miles of unimproved roadways in the Town of Southampton. Passage on many unimproved roads is becoming a more and more difficult by residents because they are in dire need of significant repair. With the increased frequency and intensity of coastal storms hitting the area, potential safety concerns have also arisen because the hazardous conditions of unimproved roads could severely hinder a resident's access to help during an emergency situation.

This legislation offers a solution to the Town of Southampton to address concerns by authorizing the Southampton Town Board to establish road improvement districts within substandard road zones designated by the Town. Such improvements, construction, or reconstruction shall be subject to and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the highway law with procedures established by the New York State Department of Transportation. Any improved road dedicated and accepted into the Town highway system shall thereafter be maintained as a public highway. Such maintenance shall become a responsibility of the Town and no longer the road improvement district. Once all private substandard roads located with in such district have been dedicated and accepted into the town highway system, the district shall be deemed dissolved and discontinued.

This law is effective immediately.