Sunday April 28, 2024 
Councilman Jack Rogers Reports to the Town of North Greenbush
In the matter of the Town approving a Memorandum of Agreement to upgrade Vision benefits. This is in the best interest of the Town and its employees. This resolution was approved.
The Board approved investment of available town funds with the New York Cooperative Liquid
Asset Security System (NYCLASS). The Town Board authorized the Comptroller to invest available funds and he will update the board monthly on these investments.
The Town Board approved additional Summer and Beach staff for the 2023 summer at Snyder’s Lake.
A resolution to apply for funding through 2023 Consolidated Funding Application process for NYS Department of State Smart Growth Community Planning & Zoning Grant was approved. This grant will assist in the development of a Town Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan.
The Town Board approved the purchase of two lawn mowers to maintain Town property.
A public hearing was approved for the 10% Tax Exemption on residential property for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. A public hearing has been scheduled for August 10, 2023 at 6:30pm.
A Request For Qualifications (RFQ) seeking services from an energy service and project management company to assist the Town in becoming more energy efficient was approved. The Board approved signing a contract with Siemens, Inc.
Check out the town website for information, announcements, and town board meeting minutes at townofng.com or contact me at jrogers@nullnorthgreenbush.org. I also post information on my Facebook page Councilman Jack Rogers. You can attend meetings in person or live stream at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/northgreenbush. Get involved and informed about what is happening in the Town of North Greenbush.
Next Town Meetings are scheduled for:
•Planning Board 7/24/23 at 6:30PM
•Zoning Board 8/9/23 at 6:30PM
•Town Board 8/10/23 at 7:00PM
Congratulations to all Recent Graduates,
Councilman Jack Rogers
Rensselaer County Legislature Majority – July Meeting Report
The Rensselaer County Legislature held their July meeting last Tuesday. Ahead of the meeting, Legislator Rob Bayly and Tom Grant awarded the grand prize for the Legislature’s Earth Day Poster Contest to Max Kilgallon from Gardner Dickinson School in Wynantskill.
The Legislature approved contracts to provide prevention staff and substance abuse prevention services to several school districts, namely Averill Park, Berlin, East Greenbush, Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, and Troy, for the upcoming school year. These critical services, provided by the Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health, aim to support and benefit the youth in our school districts, and we are pleased to endorse these efforts.
In addition to routine budgetary transfers and contract renewals, the Legislature unanimously passed a resolution proposed by Legislators Wayne Gendron and Brian Stall. This resolution urges New York State to oppose the closure of the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital. Input and support from the Legislature Minority were included in the resolution.
The Legislature Majority adopted another resolution, appealing to Governor Hochul to veto a recently passed law that would require certain elections to be moved to even years. The Majority believes that this law, approved by the State Legislature, lacks uniform application across the state and infringes on each county’s rights under the state constitution. The potential implementation of this law would result in longer and more confusing ballots.
The Legislature also passed its annual resolution to participate in “Turn the Towns Teal” during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This initiative aims to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors. Legislator Tom Grant, Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman proposed the resolution and the entire Legislature supported the effort.
You can stay connected with us on Facebook: “Rensselaer County Legislators”, or contact our Majority Office at 518-270-2880.
Rensselaer County Minority Office – July 2023 Monthly Report
HVCC Budget – The legislators unanimously approved the $98,967,577 budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year for Hudson Valley Community College, which is an increase of 7.6% over last year’s school budget. Part-time students will pay an additional $ 11 per credit, raising the cost from $ 200 to $ 211 per credit hour.
At the same meeting HVCC was honored for receiving two awards of excellence from the World Federation and Polytechnics for the college’s outstanding contributions in advancing professional and technical education and training for the global economy.
County Animal Shelter – Upon the urging of many county residents, as well as representatives of the NYS Humane Association, the Minority legislators submitted a resolution (P/23) requesting the legislature to establish a bipartisan committee to research the physical and financial requirements needed to address the establishment of a county wide animal shelter. Under NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 7, Section 114(1), each town and city, and each village in which licenses are issued shall, and any other villages and any county may, establish and maintain a pound or shelter for dogs.
Sadly, the Majority legislators refused to vote in favor of the resolution and wouldn’t let it get to the floor for a full vote of the legislature. Deputy Minority Leader Cindy Doran addressed her disappointment in the meeting and promised to re-submit the resolution next month.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located at
99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, August 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
www.rensselaercounty.org & follow us on Facebook: “Rensselaer County Legislature – Democratic Team”