Dedicates a portion of the state highway system in the town of Lewisboro, county of Westchester, to Nathaniel Reynolds

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham

Designates a segment of Route 35 in Lewisboro as ceremonially dedicated to Captain Nathaniel Reynolds, with required signage, but no change to official highway name or operations.

PRINT NUMBER 9446B

Bill Summary: S.9446 (2025-2026) – Dedicates a portion of the state highway system in Lewisboro to Nathaniel Reynolds

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to dedicate a specific portion of the New York state highway system in the town of Lewisboro, Westchester County, to Captain Nathaniel Reynolds.

The dedication is ceremonial and informational in nature, recognizing Captain Reynolds without changing the official highway name or affecting its ownership or administration.

Key provisions and changes

Adds a new section 344-s to the Highway Law:

It designates the following segment as being dedicated to Captain Nathaniel Reynolds:
The portion of state Route 35 beginning at its intersection with state Route 121 and proceeding in a generally northerly direction to its intersection with North Salem Road, in Lewisboro.

Signage and maintenance:

The Commissioner of Transportation must ensure adequate signing for the dedication.
Signage must state: “Highway Dedicated to Captain Nathaniel Reynolds.”

Nomenclature and impact:

The dedication is ceremonial; the official name of the highway (and its legal designation) is not changed as a result of this act.
The plan is designed to avoid confusion and minimize disruption to commerce.

Who is affected

Geography: Residents, businesses, and travelers in Lewisboro, Westchester County, who use the segment of Route 35 described in the bill.

Administrative: New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will install and maintain the ceremonial signage.

Public recognition: Captain Nathaniel Reynolds is publicly commemorated through this ceremonial designation.

Procedural and timing aspects

Effective date: Immediate (the act takes effect upon enactment).

Legislative history:

Introduced in the Senate by Senator Harckham.
Co-sponsored by Pete Harckham.
Referred to the Transportation Committee, with subsequent amendments and re-references noted in the action history.
Recent actions show amendments and re-commitments to Transportation in June 2026, with the bill labeled as 9446B after amendments.

Practical impact and considerations

The bill creates a symbolic honor rather than altering jurisdiction, funding, or transportation operations.

Signage will require careful placement to ensure readability and minimize any potential confusion for motorists and commerce.

No changes to the statutory name of the highway; the dedication is additive for ceremonial purposes only.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison to similar ceremonial highway dedications in New York or outline potential local context for Lewisboro residents.