The Peru Gazette

Albany, May 12, 2026 – A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) to facilitate the sale of Camp Gabriels in the Town of Brighton in Franklin County passed the state Senate today. Senate bill S548 enables the property to be sold or leased and ensures that the funds from the sale go toward forest preserve acquisition in the Adirondack Park. This is the sixth consecutive year Stec’s legislation has passed the Senate and still awaits first passage in the Assembly.

            Passage of this legislation in both houses of the Legislature this year is the necessary first step in making the amendment a reality. It must pass both houses this year, and again in 2027 or 2028 during the new Legislative Session before it can be eligible for voters.

“Earlier this year in her State of the State agenda, Governor Hochul admitted what our region has known for years: the continued dormancy of the Camp Gabriels facility has had a negative impact on our local economy and quality of life,” Stec said. “If we’re going to finally address this, then my constitutional amendment to facilitate the sale of Camp Gabriels is necessary.

“In addition to the economic potential and removing this financial liability from the state, this amendment ensures we continue forest preservation in the Adirondack Park for years to come,” he continued. “This is the sixth year I’ve sponsored and passed this amendment in the Senate. I urge my counterparts in the Assembly to take it up and pass it as well, so we can finally move forward on projects to generate the jobs, revenue and economic activity we’ve needed in Franklin County since Camp Gabriels closed in 2009.”