After six months in office, it’s time to take a look at some of what has been achieved by the new Town Board.
We implemented a difficult and
long overdue sewer rate increase after intensive analysis and a series
of public hearings. We’ve overhauled the planning department with a
series of excellent appointments and an emphasis on the use of in-house
resources instead of expensive consultants. We created a formal system
for tracking and spending Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS)
fees so that infrastructure issues can be addressed and our parks
revitalized. Efforts to improve the Hampton Manor Park have included a
volunteer cleanup, new playground equipment, the return of the gazebo, a
new mural and rebuilt chimney for the Lakehouse, and a developing plan
for a new walkway. We’re seeking grants to improve the Town Park and
are investigating the possibility of restoring swimming to the pond in
the Park.
We restored the question and
answer format to Town Board meetings and added public comment to
pre-Board meetings. We’ve established an Honor a Veteran Program. We’ve
held several meetings with residents of Hampton Manor concerning the
drinking water in the Manor. Efforts to revitalize Columbia Turnpike
include a Rapid Action Plan that will incentivize redevelopment of small
businesses, redrafting of the Town’s Building Code and Zoning Ordinance
to facilitate a stronger code enforcement program, and working with
landowners to improve appearances. The Weathervane is gone. We signed a
new contract with our Police Officers and hope to do the same soon with
our DPW employees and the Bruen Rescue Squad. We’ve modernized the
information technology in Town Hall by replacing our obsolete servers
and purchasing new computers.
What’s next? We’re preparing for an independent audit of the Town’s finances for 2015.
Our summer camp opens on July 5th and once again it is
fully enrolled. Road paving is scheduled for July 25-27. In August
we’ll pass a new Code of Ethics, one that will further remove politics
from the business of our Town government. We’re researching accounting
software for the Town Comptroller and new designs for our website.
There’s much to be done but we’re excited about what has been achieved
to date.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
From Supervisor Jack Conway.....
The demolition of the Weathervane began today. It should take 3 or 4
days to complete the demolition and site clean up. That building stood
for almost 75 years but has been vacant the last 8. This Town Board
was adamant that the building had to be taken
down but we got a great response from the property owners, who agreed
that it was an important first step in revitalizing Columbia Turnpike.
It's going to take a lot of cooperation between the public and private
sector to make things happen and today showed
the promise and possibility of getting that done.
Today was noteworthy for several other reasons. It marks the END
of the decline of Columbia Turnpike. It is the opening salvo in a major
code enforcement push on 9&20. And it lays the groundwork for a
Rapid Action Plan that will provide significant incentives
for redevelopment on that corridor. This Town Board has made code
enforcement and the revitalization of 9&20 very high priorities.
Today is only the beginning.
Monday, May 23, 2016
From the East Greenbush Town Website
Commissioner of Public Works Position Opening
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Town of East Greenbush, New York is seeking a Commissioner of Public Works. The candidate must have a strong knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering, and the design and construction of water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, highways, buildings and other public works facilities, including water and wastewater treatment plants. The candidate performs work of considerable complexity and difficulty, including supervision of a large department and project management.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of experience in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and related public works activities, of which four (4) of the years shall have been in a responsible supervisory capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
A Professional Engineer’s license issued by the State of New York at time of appointment is highly preferred, but an otherwise exceptional candidate without such a license will be considered.
The position is an appointment of the Town Board, with a residency requirement that can be waived at Board discretion.
Please email cover letter, resume, list of references and salary requirements by July 1, 2016 to Lisa O’Brien, Administrative Assistant to the Supervisor, at lobrien@eastgreenbush.org. To learn more about the Town of East Greenbush, visit our website at www.eastgreenbush.org.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Town of East Greenbush, New York is seeking a Commissioner of Public Works. The candidate must have a strong knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering, and the design and construction of water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, highways, buildings and other public works facilities, including water and wastewater treatment plants. The candidate performs work of considerable complexity and difficulty, including supervision of a large department and project management.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of experience in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and related public works activities, of which four (4) of the years shall have been in a responsible supervisory capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
A Professional Engineer’s license issued by the State of New York at time of appointment is highly preferred, but an otherwise exceptional candidate without such a license will be considered.
The position is an appointment of the Town Board, with a residency requirement that can be waived at Board discretion.
Please email cover letter, resume, list of references and salary requirements by July 1, 2016 to Lisa O’Brien, Administrative Assistant to the Supervisor, at lobrien@eastgreenbush.org. To learn more about the Town of East Greenbush, visit our website at www.eastgreenbush.org.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
We dodged a bullet
This study was just brought to my attention. Looks like East Greenbush would have had a major problem if that Casino Thingy had been permitted to go forward as desired by the all-knowing insiders. They should be ashamed of themselves for what they tried to dump on their neighbors.
11:13 a.m. | Apr. 12, 2016
As four casinos push to open their doors early next year, a report from the Rockefeller Institute of Public Policy found minimal growth in gambling revenue for states over the last decade and intangible costs associated with increased wagering options.
According to the report, which is funded by former ambassador Harry Blinken, state revenue from gambling grew by 1.8 percent between 2008 and 2015 — largely attributable to new casinos in Maryland and Ohio. Additionally, gambling revenue (including lottery revenue) declined slightly in 2015 for the second consecutive year.
"State officials considering expansion of existing gambling activities or legalization of new activities should weigh the pros and cons carefully," study author Lucy Dadyan wrote.
Here is the study: http://bit.ly/1Q4InFx
Institute report finds low growth in gambling revenue
By Jimmy Vielkind11:13 a.m. | Apr. 12, 2016
As four casinos push to open their doors early next year, a report from the Rockefeller Institute of Public Policy found minimal growth in gambling revenue for states over the last decade and intangible costs associated with increased wagering options.
According to the report, which is funded by former ambassador Harry Blinken, state revenue from gambling grew by 1.8 percent between 2008 and 2015 — largely attributable to new casinos in Maryland and Ohio. Additionally, gambling revenue (including lottery revenue) declined slightly in 2015 for the second consecutive year.
"State officials considering expansion of existing gambling activities or legalization of new activities should weigh the pros and cons carefully," study author Lucy Dadyan wrote.
Here is the study: http://bit.ly/1Q4InFx
Friday, April 1, 2016
Jack Conway's Supervisor's Report for April 1st.
On April 13, 2016 the East Greenbush Town Board will hold a public
hearing on the proposed sewer user rate increase at 7:00 p.m. in Town
Hall. Comprehensive information on the proposed rate increase is
available on the Town’s website, www.eastgreenbush.org. We hope residents will come to the hearing and share their views.
The rate increase follows a series of irresponsible Town Board decisions made by several administrations. In 2008 the Town entered into a service agreement with the Rensselaer County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) to borrow $6.55 million for sewers at 5.1% interest requiring an annual debt service payment of $400,000/year until 2048. Efforts to refinance that debt are failing because the Town doesn’t have adequate documentation of how the money was used. In 2013 we undertook a $15.6 million upgrade to our Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). After closing on long term financing in August 2016, the town will owe another $700,000/year for 30 years. No arrangements were made to pay these bills. The sewer user rates haven’t been increased since 2011 even though we knew the WWTP bill would come due this year.
The approval and lack of oversight for the RCWSA service agreement, and the inaction of previous Town Board members to adequately address the WWTP financing has led to the unavoidable and unpleasant necessity to increase revenue. It has been suggested that we should generate the revenue solely from the tax levy, which would result in an 8% tax increase in the 2017 budget, a cost that would also be borne by non-users of the sewer system. An 8% tax increase would depress property values and further discourage commercial investment in our Town. We ask that you review the proposed increases, and note that the General District, which serves more than half the residents in Town, will still have rates that are among the lowest in the Capital District after the increase has been implemented.
We have to stop the profligate spending habits and irresponsible fiscal planning of the past. Come to the public hearing and share your views with us.
The rate increase follows a series of irresponsible Town Board decisions made by several administrations. In 2008 the Town entered into a service agreement with the Rensselaer County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) to borrow $6.55 million for sewers at 5.1% interest requiring an annual debt service payment of $400,000/year until 2048. Efforts to refinance that debt are failing because the Town doesn’t have adequate documentation of how the money was used. In 2013 we undertook a $15.6 million upgrade to our Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). After closing on long term financing in August 2016, the town will owe another $700,000/year for 30 years. No arrangements were made to pay these bills. The sewer user rates haven’t been increased since 2011 even though we knew the WWTP bill would come due this year.
The approval and lack of oversight for the RCWSA service agreement, and the inaction of previous Town Board members to adequately address the WWTP financing has led to the unavoidable and unpleasant necessity to increase revenue. It has been suggested that we should generate the revenue solely from the tax levy, which would result in an 8% tax increase in the 2017 budget, a cost that would also be borne by non-users of the sewer system. An 8% tax increase would depress property values and further discourage commercial investment in our Town. We ask that you review the proposed increases, and note that the General District, which serves more than half the residents in Town, will still have rates that are among the lowest in the Capital District after the increase has been implemented.
We have to stop the profligate spending habits and irresponsible fiscal planning of the past. Come to the public hearing and share your views with us.
Monday, March 28, 2016
From Save East Greenbush.....
We did it! With the generous support of all of you
we have reached our fundraising goal! Our Grand Finale was a smashing
success. Our final payment to our lawyer is in the mail, and we are
free and clear of our obligations as Save East Greenbush.
We are very grateful to all the individuals and businesses who have donated their time, money, and goods and services, not only for this most recent silent auction and event but throughout the course of our campaign, to save our town from a casino. We truly banded together as a community and have much to show for it. We cannot thank you enough for being the town we all fought so hard to save.
We have some loose ends to tie up (a few of you still need to pick up your silent auction items!), but then we will be able to close the books on this chapter in our Town's history. At the end of April we will be shutting down the Facebook page and the website and officially closing out Save East Greenbush, Inc. We encourage everyone to stay involved! Please go to Town Board meetings. Show up to the County Legislature. Stay informed and connected. In fact, the next East Greenbush Town Board meeting is on April 20 at 7 PM. We'll see you there.
Warmly,
Your Friends and Neighbors of Save East Greenbush
We are very grateful to all the individuals and businesses who have donated their time, money, and goods and services, not only for this most recent silent auction and event but throughout the course of our campaign, to save our town from a casino. We truly banded together as a community and have much to show for it. We cannot thank you enough for being the town we all fought so hard to save.
We have some loose ends to tie up (a few of you still need to pick up your silent auction items!), but then we will be able to close the books on this chapter in our Town's history. At the end of April we will be shutting down the Facebook page and the website and officially closing out Save East Greenbush, Inc. We encourage everyone to stay involved! Please go to Town Board meetings. Show up to the County Legislature. Stay informed and connected. In fact, the next East Greenbush Town Board meeting is on April 20 at 7 PM. We'll see you there.
Warmly,
Your Friends and Neighbors of Save East Greenbush
Monday, February 22, 2016
The Final Save East Greenbush Fundraiser
It's been quite the journey. We're coming up on the two year
anniversary of the first Town Board resolution to approve a casino in
East Greenbush. A lot has changed since then (including the Town
Board!). We've worked together to save the town from unwanted
development and from back door deals. We have one last bill to pay off
as Save East Greenbush. Then we can get on with other good works to
further our town's well being.
Meantime, please join us for our final fundraiser on Saturday, March 19 The Elks Club, 683 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
Cocktails at 6 pm (cash bar); Dinner at 7 pm
The SEG Grand Finale will be an evening filled with friends, music, dancing and fun.
Your $50 ticket price includes scrumptious appetizers, gourmet buffet dinner, decadent dessert and of course -- a fabulous Silent Auction! Guests will have an array of auction items from which to choose, including vacations, artwork, vintage items and antiques, jewelry, professional services, gift baskets and much more!
There are 3 ways to purchase your tickets:
Remember: Save East Greenbush saved East Greenbush.
Let's make this final fundraising event our biggest and best yet! See you in March.
Warmly,
Save East Greenbush
Save East Greenbush
http://saveeastgreenbush.nationbuilder.com/
Meantime, please join us for our final fundraiser on Saturday, March 19 The Elks Club, 683 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
Cocktails at 6 pm (cash bar); Dinner at 7 pm
The SEG Grand Finale will be an evening filled with friends, music, dancing and fun.
Your $50 ticket price includes scrumptious appetizers, gourmet buffet dinner, decadent dessert and of course -- a fabulous Silent Auction! Guests will have an array of auction items from which to choose, including vacations, artwork, vintage items and antiques, jewelry, professional services, gift baskets and much more!
There are 3 ways to purchase your tickets:
- Purchase your tickets online: http://saveeastgreenbush.nationbuilder.com/seg_grand_finale?utm_campaign=grand_finale&utm_medium=email&utm_source=saveeastgreenbush
- Send a check (payable to Save East Greenbush) to: Save East Greenbush, P.O. Box 115, East Greenbush, NY 12061
- Or, or call Larraine at 518-477-9613 to reserve your tickets
Remember: Save East Greenbush saved East Greenbush.
Let's make this final fundraising event our biggest and best yet! See you in March.
Warmly,
Save East Greenbush
Save East Greenbush
http://saveeastgreenbush.nationbuilder.com/
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