PRESS RELEASE
January 11, 2008

Majority Concerned by Minority Obstruction on Sewer Project

Members of the majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature said they are concerned about opposition by the minority to a sewer district project, saying failure to undertake the project could drive up costs and jeopardizes future shared services projects.

Legislators termed the opposition to the expansion of a monofill by five Democrat legislators at the January 8 legislative meeting as irresponsible and unnecessary. Moreover, majority legislators said they believe Democrats were confused and disorganized and believed the measure would be passed without their support.

The monofill project requires a bond, and bonds require a two-thirds vote. With two Republicans lawmakers absent, all Republicans voted for the $635,000 project bond, with one Democrat voting yes and five voting in opposition. Majority legislators said they believe Democrats were not aware a two-thirds majority was needed.

The opposition and delay could drive up the overall cost of the project, majority legislators noted.

“I think that Democrats got caught playing a very unnecessary and irresponsible political game with the sewer district project. In doing so, they have delayed an important project and will quite possibly end up costing the county more money,” said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

“The Democrats thought they could play politics with this issue and vote against the project while still seeing the project move forward. Only this time, their childish games blew up on them,” said Majority Leader Robert Mirch.

Democrats tried to claim that they are waiting for a long-range plan on sewer district projects to be formulated. Majority legislators noted Democrat Legislator Brian Zweig has served on a Sewer District Reconstruction Committee and that in May a revised list of sewer district projects was presented. The monofill project was originally estimated to cost $1 million, meaning the $635,000 project cost is more than $330,000 lower than originally expected.

In addition, all six members of the Democrat minority represent communities in the county sewer district. The Republican caucus includes members who do not represent communities in the district.

One of the communities represented by four Democrats, East Greenbush, has expressed an interest in a shared services agreement with the sewer district. Without the monofill project, the sewer district will not have the capacity to handle even the current flow of wastewater.

“We have made every effort over the past several months to involve Democrats in the operation of the sewer district. It’s sad to see that cooperation met with unnecessary political games,” said Legislator Martin Reid.

A monofill is similar to a landfill, with residual materials from the wastewater treatment deposited at the site. The project has been discussed for years and without the construction, the county will be forced to contract at a higher price to dispose of the materials off-site.

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