Troy City Council from left to right: Ryan Brosnan, Bill Keel, Katie Spain McLaren, President Sue Steele, Majority Leader Thomas Casey, Eileen Soriento, and Aaron Vera. (Erica Bouska – MediaNews Group)
TROY, N.Y. — Troy City Council President Sue Steele said after Thursday night's finance committee and special meeting that the council has found a rhythm.
From approving a bond for a new fire engine to approving mayoral appointments like Vice Mayor Seamus Donnelly, several ordinances and resolutions were passed, and some caught the attention of a committee made up of all council members and the council president. There was a problem. Departments and Heads of Government; and; Sale of surplus real estate located at 744 Pauling Avenue.
Several people were confirmed in attendance at the special meeting, one of whom raised several questions and concerns. City Engineer Russ Reeves will assume the additional role of public works supervisor. Mayor Carmela Mantello said the finite structure of each department is inefficient and that a system where departments work more closely together would result in a better system overall.
“I promised the people of Troy that I was going to look at the department differently,” the mayor said. “People are going to be more engaged and really understand that our department is one big unit and we work block by block.”
After being asked, Reeves said he was comfortable taking on both positions, which previously overlapped with utilities. His position at the utility will be part-time, but Steele expressed concern, calling it an “unusual arrangement.”
His nomination passed unanimously, with one veto, Councilman Aaron Vera (D), citing a previous working relationship.
“It's not against Russ Reeves, per se, but it's the mayor's plan to take a portion of that salary and give it to him,” Steele said after the meeting. “Water treatment plants require full-time personnel.”
Some moves are blurring the lines between departments and unions, she said, such as the president of the Troy Union of Public Employees, who also serves as head of infrastructure. But Mantello said she has full confidence in Reeves' ability to wear both hats and work with the code department.
Other changes, she said, are more meaningful, not less, and are trying to think more creatively about all positions in the city.
“They're very used to having a position here, filling that position, and then letting that department do the job,” Mantello said. “No. The departments are going to help each other. They are going to work together.”
This property sale raised some concerns in Congress and the public sphere for several reasons. Community members expressed concerns about the new owner, David Mullinio. He had previously alleged that he did not fill out the proper permits for other properties he owned.
Councilors expressed questions and concerns about the use of the property. It is currently zoned and was once used for commercial purposes, but officials noted that Mulinio has expressed an intention to build it as apartments with storage facilities on the bottom floor.
Whether that can be done depends on further approval from the council, but representatives of Mr. Mulinio at the meeting said that Mr. Mulinio and the other parties purchasing the property will not be able to rezone the property or cancel the project. He said he was willing to take that risk without any guarantees. approved.
Republican Majority Leader Tom Casey said he understands the concerns but will review everything Murinio plans to do and thoroughly review all documents he has submitted.
“I will definitely make sure that the new owners monitor everything that is going on there and make sure that it is filed in line with the provisions of the law, and I'm sure the administration as well. He said he would “make sure everything was done properly.”
