(a) The maintenance of State highways in towns and villages shall include the control of snow and ice. Such work may be done by a county, town, or incorporated village but the county has first preference to perform the work within its boundaries. Any county is authorized to enter into a contract with any town or incorporated village located within the county for the performance of the work of such snow and ice control as a subcontractor.

(b) The contract for such work of snow and ice control on State highways between the State of New York and a participating county is approved by the Department of Public Works and the Comptroller and filed in the Department of Audit and Control. Contracts are in effect for a period of three years and may, at the expiration of the first year of the term of the contract, be extended for an additional period of one year, provided such extension is approved by the Department of Public Works and by resolution of the legislative body of the county.

(c) State highways within cities may be maintained by either of the above methods or by agreement with the city pursuant to section 349-c of the Highway Law.