August 2019
The following are highlights of the August meeting:
Local Law: This month, the Legislators unanimously passed amendments for a local law establishing a one year moratorium on solid waste management facilities. The amendments will see the environmental protections extended to other tributaries and drinking water sources throughout the county.
Early Voting: The Republican majority defeated a resolution to establish an Early Voting site, in the City of Troy, in committee which derailed it from making it to the floor for a vote of the full legislature. The city of Troy has the greatest population of residents that rely on public transportation, among them the elderly, poor, minorities and students. With selected early voting sites in Brunswick (a 2 mile walk from the CDTA bus stop) and Schodack (no bus service from Troy) residents, representatives from civic organizations, and elect officials, who attended this month’s Public Forum, voiced their concerns on the perception of voter suppression and asked for reconsideration.
Health: The Rensselaer County Legislature passed a resolution authorizing the distribution of computer tablets and laptops for the Rensselaer County Department of Health to help fight the opioid epidemic. The new technology will enhance the department’s capabilities to collect accurate data. The data will then be processed to aid the battle against the opioid epidemic.
The Legislature also unanimously passed a resolution to create the position of Lead Risk Assessor. The State Legislature passed a law to lower the blood lead level in children and this new position will ensure that those new standards are met, keeping the children of Rensselaer County healthy.
Youth: The Legislature passed a resolution to have the Department of Youth and CDTA enter into an agreement that will provide transportation for members of the Boys and Girls Clubs to Grafton State Park. With the absence of swimming pools, this will provide a place for the children of Troy to swim and find relief from the heat.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 270-2890.
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