Seven area organizations and municipalities received state grants Tuesday morning during a brief presentation at the Cooperstown Fire Department.

Senator James Seward, who has represented the area for the last 18 years, made the grant announcements.

During her introduction, village mayor Carol Waller commented that Seward "is so dedicated that even when he's unopposed, he's out campaigning."

"The awards help organizations and local governments afford important initiatives that might otherwise be out of reach because of the cost or because it could pressure local taxes," Seward said.

The senator said the grants will enhance the quality of life, build community and improve the local economy.

"I have long felt the state could be a financial partner with local organizations and governments," he said, adding that by directing some state resources to these local entities it will help relieve pressure on local taxpayers.

The Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department will receive $10,000 in state funds to be applied to the purchase of the new, $110,000 ambulance which replaces a 1991 model.

Fire chief Jim Tallman said the new ambulance was paid for with funds from the village's reserve fund, but that the department pledged to replace the funds so they would be available for the next equipment purchase. So far, he said, the department has raised $45,600 toward the cost of the ambulance.

"Senator Seward has always been an avid supporter of volunteers in this area," Tallman said as he thanked the senator.

The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce will receive $50,000 to provide comfort stations, or restrooms, for the village's 100s of thousands of visitors each year.

Tourism plays an important role in the local economy and it is important to make visitor's stays as comfortable as possible, Seward said.

The grant announced Tuesday will be coupled with a similar one awarded to the village last year from Assemblyman Bill Magee. The site plan for the restroom, which is planned for the Main Street entrance to Doubleday Field, was approved recently by the village planning board.

"This is a wonderful example of a partnership between the chamber and village government," chamber executive director Polly Renckens said about the restroom project.

The town of Otsego received two grants. One in the amount of $23,500 to help with formulation of a comprehensive plan and a second for $42,500 to fund renovations to the town hall.

"It sometimes takes just a little bit of help to get a project off the ground," town supervisor Tom Breiten said in his remarks. He said that the town had been working on updating the comprehensive plan and had gone about as far as possible without some outside help.

"This will allow us to finish off the plan," he said.

The New York State Historical Association is in line to receive $100,000 to support its National History Day in New York. NYSHA has sponsored the annual history day for 25 years and impacts 10,000 students statewide.

Brookwood School is earmarked for a $30,000 grant to fund a modular classroom to expand its child daycare component.

Seward said the need for daycare in this area is great - greater than what is available.

"I've been impressed Brookwood School has stepped up to the plate in a big way to meet that need," he said.

The school is embarking on a large expansion program and in the meantime, the grant will allow them to include 24 additional children.

The final grant went to the Cook Foundation which oversees Brookwood Garden on the western shore of Otsego Lake.

Seward said the grant will fund the creation of an information kiosk for visitors to the garden and a more visible sign at the entrance to the property.

"We like to describe Brookwood as Cooperstown's Secret Garden, but we would like this lovely property to be somewhat easier to find," said Patricia Thorpe, president of the Cook Foundation board. "We have a constant stream of visitors from Cooperstown and from across the state, who complain that they never realized that such a treasure existed."

The formal gardens were created between 1915-20 and many original details survive.

The grants announced Tuesday have been appropriated as part of the 2004-2005 state budget, Seward said.