City of Rensselaer - Official Site

Great news! The City of Rensselaer has launched an official web site at http://www.rensselaerny.gov, already populated with some announcements and events. Thanks to everyone involved in finally making this happen!

This is a work in progress, but it's a good start. The top row of menus seems most complete, and contact information about the various City Departments seems pretty robust. (Highlights include a History of the city and the ever-popular: Recycling and Curbside Pickup Guidelines)


I hope that they will eventually include agendas and minutes of council meetings, planning boards, etc., as I know they have them in electronic format now.

Stammel Leads Recount

The Record: After recount, Stammel winner in District 6

...
Stammel, a Republican, led Democratic challenger John Mooney by a mere four votes based on unofficial results released Tuesday evening. After absentee ballots were counted Friday, he is ahead by a count of 1,189 to 1,163.

Democrats Win Rensselaer

The Record: Wrapup of Rensselaer County town races

Mayor: Daniel J. Dwyer
Common Council President: Harry Adalian
City Clerk: Maureen Nardacci
City Treasurer: Susan L. Lupian
Ward 1: Marion Webber
Ward 2: James D. VanVorst
Ward 3: Philip Elacqua
Ward 4: Gretchen Euvrard
Ward 5: Dominick M. Tagliento Jr.
Ward 6: Brian J. Stall
Ward 7: James F. Casey Jr.
Ward 8: Richard J. Mooney
Ward 9: Margaret M. VanDyke

Times-Union Local Politics: Down to the absentees in Rensselaer

The city of Rensselaer’s next representative on the Rensselaer County Legislature will be determined by the absentee ballots.

Take a look at the Alderperson votes by ward. I hope we take advantage of the 2010 Census to redistrict and combine some of these wards, which would lower our cost of government. Do you really think we need more than 5 or 6 wards?

T-U Endorses Mayor Dwyer

Times-Union Editorial (blog version): Mayor: Dwyer

Times-Union: Business is issue in mayor's race

Debate Cancelled

The candidates debate planned for Thur. Oct. 22nd has been canceled.

Here is the list of candidates. A few have links to web sites or biographies - you should check those out.

UPDATE: Harry Adalian, Democratic candidate for President of the Common Council, has posted his planned opening and closing remarks on his blog.

As you know the debate was canceled as there were issues with our Republican counterparts. I regret not being able to spend an evening with you and will miss the exchange of information for your benefit.

If you are a candidate who has also posted your positions on your web page, blog, Facebook page, etc., please e-mail bathonhudson@gmail.com.

Rensselaer City Candidates 2009

Mayor:

Daniel J. Dwyer (D), Incumbent
Edward S. Kosinski (R, I, C)

President of Common Council:

Harry Adalian (D): Web; Facebook; Twitter
Gloria Fonda (R, I, C)

City Clerk:

Maureen G. Nardacci (D, I), Incumbent
Ashlee E. Giacalone (R, C)

City Treasurer:

Susan L. Lupian (D) , Incumbent
Claude P. Manna, Jr (R, I, C)

Alderpersons:
Ward 1:

Marion L. Webber (D)
Dawn M. Gillan (R, I, C)

Ward 2:

James D. VanVorst, Jr (D, I)
Albertine M. Felts (R, C), Incumbent

Ward 3:

Philip J. Elacqua (D)
William J. Lithgow (R, I, C), Incumbent

Ward 4:

Gretchen A. Euvrard (D)
David M. Gardner (R, I, C )

Ward 5:

Dominick M. Tagliento, Jr (D), Incumbent
Bernard Maskell, Jr. (R, I, C )

Ward 6:

Brian J. Stall (D, R, I, C ), Incumbent

Ward 7:

James F. Casey, Jr (D)
Frank J. McClellan (R, I, C)

Ward 8:

Richard J. Mooney (D, I), Incumbent
K D MacDonald, Jr. (R, C)

Ward 9:

Margaret M. VanDyke (D)
Dennis R. Walters, Jr. (R, I, C)

Rensselaer County Legislator, District 6 (City of Rensselaer)

John M. Mooney (D, W)
Michael E. Stammel (R, I, C), Incumbent

If you see any mistakes above, or if you are a candidate with a web page, blog, Facebook page, LinkedIn profile or professional biography that you want linked to your name, please e-mail bathonhudson@gmail.com.

There's a Ward Map in the City Clerk's office, or find your Ward at NYS Polling Place Lookup (they call it "Election District").

Attend the League of Women Voters Candidates' Debate at the Rensselaer High School Auditorium, Thur., Oct. 22nd, 7-9p.m if you have questions or comments for the candidates.

Meet Your Candidates

Thanks to Rich Mooney for posting the following election season events on his 8th Ward Website.

North End Neighborhood Association, Pot Luck and Meet the Candidates Night
First Baptist Church, 1101 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY
Thur., Oct. 8th, Dinner at 6, Meeting at 7pm

Meet the 8th and 9th Ward Alderperson Candidates Rich Mooney and Peggy Mink-VanDyke
Angie B's, 1204 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY
Thur., Oct. 15th, 6-7p.m.

League of Women Voters Candidates' Debate
Rensselaer High School Auditorium
Thur., Oct. 22nd, 7-9p.m.

Rensselaer's History Research Center

Rensselaer's 8th Ward (Rich Mooney): History Lessons about our City

The Record (For Greenbush Life): Dedication of the History Research Center slated

The public is welcome to attend the formal dedication of the Rensselaer City History Research Center. at 2 p.m. Oct. 4. The dedication, display and reception will be held at the center on the second floor of Rensselaer City Hall, 62 Washington St., Rensselaer.

The Research Center is dedicated to provide materials for research and information about the City of Rensselaer and its predecessors, Bath on the Hudson , East Albany and Greenbush. ...

Today's posts both involve renovated schools - the Rensselaer City History Research Center is located in the former Fort Crailo Elementary School, where the City Hall moved in 2008. To learn more:

• The Informed Constituent, July 2008: Rensselaer Police Move to New HQ Amid Fanfare
• The Informed Constituent, March 2007: Rensselaer City Hall Moves, Historical Artifacts Found

Funds for Flood Prevention

News Channel 13: Rensselaer gets $1M for flood damage [video]

Thirteen months after flood waters slammed into Rensselaer, causing millions of dollars in damages, the city is getting some help.

The Record: State funds received for flood prevention

The new money, which is coming from two funding sources in the Assembly, will go towards clearing the areas along the Mill and Quackenderry creeks since collapsed culverts and restrictors likely caused the flooding.

Earlier Posts:

• Flood Followup
• Red Cross Flickr Set

Legislative Mailer Controversy

News Channel 13: Forgery charge in Rensselaer legislative race

RENSSELAER -- The opponent for a legislative seat in Rensselaer County is crying foul over mailers sent out to drum up support for the incumbent republican Mike Stammel.

UPDATES:

Times-Union Local Politics Blog, Sept. 14: Democrats want special prosecutor in Rensselaer

The Record, Sept. 16: Union chief backs from ‘forgery’ flap

RENSSELAER — The union leader whose signature appeared on a political mailer without his knowledge said Tuesday that some politicians have gone too far with the issue.

Water Quality Report

Download the annual Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2008 at Rensselaer...Online!, a web site that is open to the community to post information (see their site bylaws). Thanks to CraigW for posting this.

For those who might not know, Rensselear, NY buys our water from the City of Troy, which gets it from the Tomhannock Reservoir, about 20 miles northeast of us. To learn more, download the report...

From the 8th Ward

Rich Mooney (Ward 8 Alderman) just updated his new web site with a big block of news: http://sites.google.com/site/rensselaers8thward/home/upcoming-events

Go to Rich's site to see photos from the North End Picnic, as well as the latest news about a restroom for Riverfront Park, the new Rensselaer Library, and the Broadway Infrastructure project.

To supplement, here is the Press Release for the Stimulus Funding for Broadway:

City of Rensselaer (Rensselaer County) – Broadway Infrastructure Improvements. The City of Rensselaer will use $627,224 to replace sewer lines along Broadway.

I think that is less than 10% of the expected cost of the entire Broadway project, but every little bit helps. Here is an old post from last year's public forum: Broadway Meeting.

Rich is on Twitter too: Mooneyrich. You can see his latest tweets on the top of my sidebar. He's doing a great job, so check it out.

Stammel Seeks Reelection

The Record: Stammel runs for Legislature

...
Legislator Mike Stammel, a Republican who represents District 6, said he was urged to seek another term in the office by residents from multiple political parties who appreciated his work in addressing constituent issues, working to stabilize county property taxes, supporting a county budget that did not raise the tax rate, and opposing tax and fee increases approved by the state Legislature.
...

Stammel seeks re-election

Garbage Day

The rules of Garbage Day are unwritten, which causes frustrated questions at neighborhood meetings, even from long-time residents. In response to an e-mail inquiry, I asked for more info at City Hall.

Trash: Call the Solid Waste Dept. at 462-9616 to ask when pick-up is at your address. There are no guidelines based on wards or streets. A trash can is not required, but will protect bags from crows, dogs, etc. Monday holidays may push back pickup a day.

Lawn Waste: We were told "Thursdays" in the North End meetings, but according to City Hall, paper leaf bags are not picked up on any particular day. They send someone out when the bags start to accumulate. [UPDATE 9/10/09 - pickup in the North End will be Wednesdays, "guaranteed"]

Bulk Pickup: You must call the Solid Waste Dept. at 462-9616 on a Monday to schedule collection of items too large for regular garbage. Put the items out on Thursday - they'll get them on Friday. When I did this, they said that all the items must fit in the bed of an ordinary pick-up truck. If you have more than than this, or can't haul it to the curb, I'd recommend 1-800-GOT-JUNK.
UPDATE: See Comments for more good info. on bulk pickup.

Recycling: Get a blue bin from the Solid Waste Dept. Put your plastics (any numbers) and glass in the bottom. Paper and cardboard can go in paper bags or be bundled.

Electronics Recycling: We have one annual disposal opportunity in April at Taft Furniture in Albany. City Hall will have coupons. Until then, try eLot Recycling in Troy. They also take batteries and compact fluorescent bulbs.

Household Hazardous Waste: No collection. We're outside their region, but I was able to pay to use the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority. They do collections twice a year.

Rensselaer does not have a web site, and they should. You can't find phone numbers for the City online, except in the County Services Directory. (I extracted and OCR'd the City of Rensselaer 2009 Directory.) If you take time out of your work day to call or visit City Hall for basic info that should be online, please request a web page.

8th Ward Website

Rich Mooney, Alderman for Rensselaer's 8th Ward, has just started a web site. This is great news!

Rensselaer's 8th Ward Home

I expect Rich will keep us updated about City Council business, and you should keep an eye on his site even if you don't live in the 8th Ward (the part of the North End which is south of Washington Ave.)

For instance, Rich says that on Monday, July 27 there will be a special Council meeting to try to pass the 2009-10 budget. Learn more on his Upcoming Events page.

UPDATE: Follow Rich on Twitter

Plan to Ban Texting While Driving

Times-Union: Four months before state ban, Rensselaer moves ahead with own texting law

The statewide ban on texting while driving goes into effect Nov. 21 but that's not soon enough for Rensselaer.

Mayor Dan Dwyer said he wants to get a citywide ban on the books by Aug. 1.
...
The city's Common Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday on the issue.
...
The public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the Community Room at City Hall, 62 Washington St.

You don't have to spend much time watching traffic on Washington Ave. to see that many drivers are talking on their cell phones (and not hands-free). This increased noticeably this year, and there seems to be no visible effort to enforce the existing law. There should be a team spotting these folks as they come off the I-90 ramp, and flagging them down. We'd need at least 60,000 tickets to get enough revenue to pave Washington Ave., so let's get busy!


UPDATE: WNYT News Channel 13: Rensselaer considers its texting ban

WNYT via Twitter:

Rensselaer held a public hearing on its plan to pass texting while driving ban before the state's ban goes into effect. No one showed up.

Stimulus Funds for Broadway Sewers

Press Release: GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of over $11 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding for projects that will help to modernize New York’s infrastructure. ... The NYS CDBG awards include:
...
City of Rensselaer (Rensselaer County) – Broadway Infrastructure Improvements. The City of Rensselaer will use $627,224 to replace sewer lines along Broadway. The City’s population of 7,666 persons will directly benefit from the project and 56.9 percent of the population qualifies as low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 23

Noted in The Record: Cohoes water lines in stimulus. Follow all the awards through the press releases at recovery.ny.gov.

Third Rensselaer Audit

The Record: Audit: City wrongly paying for benefits

RENSSELAER — City employees not covered by collective bargaining units received health benefits totaling $126,000 last year though there was no resolution authorizing them to receive the benefits, according to an audit by the state comptroller.

In addition, elected employees and appointed officials did not contribute to the cost of their health insurance plans and the city was unable to provide all original time records for the city’s police chief.

UPDATE: Link to third audit report: City of Rensselaer, Internal Controls Over Payroll and Personal Services

Mayor Promises City Web Site!

Last night's neighborhood association meeting was packed, and it was clear that everyone wanted to know more about what the Rensselaer City Council and Planning Board are doing. People were requesting more transparency and information available online. After repeated requests for a city web site, Mayor Dwyer promised to make the phone calls to make it happen. It can't be soon enough!

The council and board members wish more people would come to their meetings, and I think people would be more active if we could see agendas and minutes online. And it would save the City a lot of phone calls if new residents had somewhere to learn things like when leaf bags are collected, etc. Most of us don't have time during the workday to call or visit City Hall to collect this kind of information - it's much better to be able to find it online when we need it.

County Stimulus Wish List

The Record: Rensselaer County's stimulus wish list

A Rensselaer County government committee will be seeking the help of higher lawmakers at the federal and state level as it works to prioritize some 250 requests countywide for federal stimulus money that are on file with the state.

The stimulus list for Rensselaer County can be read here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/16088859/Stimulus-Wish-List. This list is marked as being from NYWORKS (www.recovery.ny.gov), the New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet. It is a "second draft" list dated March 25, 2009. If you want a copy of this as a PDF file, please e-mail bathonhudson@gmail.com. (It's a 3.5MB file - not searchable.)

It's almost impossible to tell which city most of these are from. Some do specify City of Rensselaer, but mostly you have to guess based on street names. Many critical projects are not "shovel ready" - we would need to bond out considerable engineering costs for planning first.