Monthly Report – July 2022
HVCC Budget – The annual budget for Hudson Valley Community College was put to a vote in the legislature this month. While all of our legislators are grateful for the college and the positive impact it has on Rensselaer County, many of the minority legislators had recently been approached by concerned constituents regarding the funding of several international trips taken by HVCC President Roger A. Ramsammy, members of his administration, members of the HVCC Board of Trustees, and their spouses. It remains unclear where this funding originated. When pressed by Legislator Doran in an Education Committee meeting, CFO Donal Christian promised to send the appropriate expense reports, but instead the legislators learned that they would have to undergo a legal process that would keep them from obtaining the necessary information in time for July’s legislature meeting. As a result of this, Legislator Doran made a motion to table the budget until the August meeting so the vote could be made once the information they requested was obtained, a motion that was soundly defeated by the legislative majority, who claimed that this was not an issue and that no one was denied access to these records. Legislators Grimm, Doran, Fleming, Nichols, Weaver, and Zalewski, having been denied pertinent information on the budget, had no choice but to vote no on passing it.
Urging the Closure of the S.A. Dunn Landfill – The legislature unanimously passed a resolution urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to oppose the renewal of the operating permit for the S.A. Dunn Landfill in the city of Rensselaer. The landfill, which is located 500 feet from the city’s public school, has had a severely negative impact on city residents since its creation, and the city would benefit greatly from its closure.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, August 9, 2022 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
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