NY A10377

Amends Highway Law to define "low-volume roads" as town highways with average daily traffic under 400 motor vehicles, classified into six categories: low-volume collector roads, residential access roads, resource/industrial access roads, agricultural land access roads, farm access roads, and recreation land access roads.

Authorizes town boards to designate low-volume agricultural or recreational access roads with fewer than 50 vehicles daily as "minimum maintenance roads," excluding farm access roads and roads serving individual year-round residences.

Requires towns to issue detailed findings 45 days before public hearings on minimum maintenance designations, including traffic volume analysis, property access confirmation, safety determinations, and maintenance standards developed with the town highway superintendent.

Mandates minimum maintenance roads continue as part of the town highway system and be maintained at levels allowing passability and functionality, with maintenance practices potentially done less frequently but consistent with state guidelines.

Permits property owners to petition for discontinuation or modification of minimum maintenance designations after 24 months have passed since a previous petition denial, and allows town boards to discontinue designations if in the public interest.