McLaughlin Talks Water, Farming, Money In State Of The County
By Doug La Rocque
Speaking to a packed room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin delivered his second State of the County address on Wednesday morning, January 9. The executive covered a myriad of issues, one of them being the water problems in both Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh. He said the County cannot accept anything but a new clean source of drinking water for the Village in the near future, and again mentioned the Tomhannock Reservoir as a preferred source. He called upon both the state and federal governments not to drag their feet on the matter. A New York State study of where the best source for an alternative drinking water supply might be, is due back sometime in April.
County on Solid Financial Footing
Mr. McLaughlin recapped what he said was a very productive year for the County in 2018, citing the unanimous passage of a 2019 budget with no tax increase, an agreement with the largest union representing county employees before the current pact expired, and the upgrading of the county’s bond rating from A1 to AA3. This he said came about in part due to his administration’s efforts to save two million dollars in personnel costs, as well as negotiating a new insurance agreement for County retirees, that saves them 45% on the premiums, reduces the County’s share of the cost by $500,000 and maintains the current level of benefits.
Unfunded Mandates
Like his predecessor Kathy Jimino, he hammered Governor Cuomo for continuing to mandate the counties provide numerous programs without any financial contribution from the state. He said currently 90 cents of every tax dollar collected by the County goes to pay for these mandates, and wondered just how much more the County could do for its residents with a little relief. He also admitted he is not hopeful of that relief anytime soon, noting the state legislature is now controlled mostly by downstate (New York City) Democrats, whose philosophies and priorities are not in sync with those of upstate New York.
Roads are a Priority
The Executive made it a point to highlight the volume of work completed on county highways this year, and pledged it would continue this coming construction season. Speaking to The Eastwick Press after his address, Mr. McLaughlin said the County is trying to persuade the NYS Department of Transportation and the Capital District Transportation Committee to do a complete traffic study of the Route 7 corridor from the Collar City Bridge eastward to Center Brunswick. He called the traffic on the road atrocious and noted the last study is more than 18 years old. Traffic, particularly near the Walmart and Brunswick Plazas, westward, has been a very contentious point brought forth by residents in that area, particularly as it concerns the proposed 201 unit Valley Avenue Apartment complex. The developer is currently working to complete an Environmental Impact Statement that includes traffic, as ordered by the Brunswick Planning Board.
Full Report Next Week.
The Executive’s address was delivered just prior to The Eastwick Press publication deadline, so a complete report will appear in our next edition.