Monthly Report – July 2024
Substance Abuse Prevention in Various School Districts – At the July monthly meeting, a resolution (G/289/24) was unanimously approved to allow the County Department of Mental Health to enter into agreements with various school districts that would provide prevention staff and substance abuse prevention services for the upcoming school year. The school districts included are Averill Park, Berlin, East Greenbush, Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, and Troy.
Regional Business Workforce Development Services – Legislators also unanimously approved an agreement for business workforce development services under the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. These services include performing placement, retention, training, and other services that will benefit employers and job seekers.
HVCC Budget – The legislators unanimously approved the $106,105,178 budget for the 2024-2025 school year. This is an increase of 7.2% over last year’s school budget. Part-time students will still pay $211 per credit hour.
Dunn Landfill – A resolution was sent to the floor this month urging Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny the permit renewal for the Dunn Construction and Demolition Landfill. While the DEC has acknowledged that the initial approval to open a landfill next to a school was a mistake, it is believed that the DEC has failed to complete thorough testing of air quality and health effects, causing major concern. This resolution was unanimously passed.
Water Quality Month – August has been declared as National Water Quality Month. This was done in hopes of spreading awareness to the importance of water and to the fact that water quality is a global problem. We encourage everyone to help by refraining from disposing expired medications down the sink or other appliances, choosing nontoxic household products, avoiding putting anything but water down storm drains, and much more. By doing so, this would lower the amount of pollution in our waters which would, in turn, lessen health risks. So, please help keep our water safe! Happy National Water Quality Month!
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday August 13th, 2024 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
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