Monthly Report – April 2024
New East Greenbush Senior Center Gains Approval After Lengthy Discussion Over Process
During a recent Public Forum of the Rensselaer County Legislature, residents voiced their concerns about the County’s plan to move the current Senior Center in Rensselaer to East Greenbush. The administration stated after review, there were no other options but to move the Center to East Greenbush.
At the meeting of the Aging Committee, Legislators Ken Herrington and Mark Fleming, were unhappy with the lack of information presented to them and tabled the resolution to finance the project pending a more extensive review and formal presentation of the project.
A detailed presentation on the scope of the project, as well as a preview of the site, design, cost and timeline was presented, but unfortunately to only a select number of GOP members before the resolution was reinstated for a vote at the April 9th meeting of the Legislature. Members Herrington and Fleming, representing both sides of the aisle, took issue with the lack of transparency and inclusion in the process. In addition, they stated that many questions remained unanswered regarding the lease agreement, the Siemens contract for construction and upfitting, and the purchase of kitchen and audio-visual equipment.
At a Special Rules meeting held just before the April 9th meeting of the Legislature, members of the Aging Committee who were among those intentionally left out of the process, voiced their concerns, and requested answers. In addition, they suggested, that going forward, the leadership follow the rules of the Legislature which insures open and transparent government.
Although the legislators were disappointed in the process from the County Executive’s office, in the end everyone supported the resolutions in order to keep the project on schedule, as our senior citizens should not suffer from an administration that lacks transparency.
A December opening is projected.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
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