Rensselaer City Newsletter February 2023

In last month’s newsletter, we briefly touched on the outstanding city Audits and some residents wondered why they were not done or why there are outstanding Audits.

When Mayor Stammel took office in 2020, he found that the previous Administration failed to submit 5 outstanding annual Audits to the NYS Comptroller’s Office beginning with the year 2014. Mayor Stammel took action and hired auditors and personnel needed to move the audits forward. Unfortunately, it has been a time consuming process and difficult to provide suitable documentation since a large number of internal transfers between accounts were not documented and many receipts were for transactions were not available.

Since 2020, the City has completed 3 Audits and continues to push forward with a 4th (FY18-19), to be completed in the next few months. The next Audit on the docket will be FY19-20. The FY19-20 Audit should be finalized fairly quick since 1/2 of that fiscal year, Mayor Stammel was in office, and the City has been doing its due diligence in ensuring all documentation, policies and procedures are in order. The City has been working with the NYS Comptroller’s Office to ensure it continues to do its due diligence with handling finances.

Mayor Stammel has been a fierce advocate for our seniors, especially those living in Van Rensselaer Heights and Renwyck Place. When the apartment buildings were unsafe and in disrepair, Mayor Stammel was asked to intervene. Millennia received $10M for each building from HUD, both the Van Rensselaer Heights Site at 460 Forbes Ave and the Renwyck site at 18 Fourth Ave. Mayor Stammel pushed hard to ensure the buildings were renovated and provided modern, clean and safe housing for our seniors.

Throughout the prolonged rehab process, the Mayor worked closely with Millennia Companies® to keep the project moving forward, despite many unforeseen challenges. The Mayor, Millennia and residents would meet regularly during all phases of the construction.

Thankfully, the project at Van Rensselaer Heights is complete, and it residents are happy, although general maintenance and repairs are ongoing. This is just another step towards making Rensselaer an even better place to call home.

Click the link below to learn about all of the amazing upgrades at Van Rensselaer Heights:

https://www.facebook.com/LiveMillennia/videos/558807432772947

Mayor Mike Stammel 518-426-9511

Office of the Mayor mike.stammel@rensselaerny.gov

Highlights in this month’s issue

New Broadway Housing

Fort Crailo Truck Traffic

Café Twelve 04

Common Council Meetings take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

New Housing on Broadway

If you have seen or heard there is a new housing development going up on the 1000 block of Broadway. The Bonacquisti Brothers Construction is moving along quickly and the 15 unit 1 and 2 bedroom apartments will be leased in the coming months.

The Bonacquisti Brothers Construction recently went under contract for the vacant land at the intersection of Broadway and 3rd Ave Extension interested in building a mixed use development that will provide store fronts on the 1st floor

and housing above. We will keep you updated on both projects!

Fort Crailo Neighborhood Truck Traffic

On February 7th, a Community Forum was held by the City Planning Department, the Capital District Region Planning Commission and the Capital District Transportation Committee to discuss the truck traffic in the Fort Crailo neighborhood.

The larger trucks are bypassing the John Warren Express Way at 9J and entering the

neighborhood. The neighborhood streets are narrow and are not designed for truck traffic.

A number of neighborhood residents attended the forum and expressed their ideas. While discussions will be ongoing, it is a great 1st step in resolving the issues.

Spotlight on Local Business

Café Twelve 04 is a small business owned and operated by Chris Phelan, an Army Veteran who served in Afghanistan.

The Café serves up fresh donuts, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, refresher drinks, lunch sandwiches and holds Taco Tuesday each Tuesday evening. The Café is located at 1204

Washington Ave across the street from the entrance to Eastland Park. Brunch is served Wednesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM. Taco Tuesday is held each Tuesday evening from 3 PM to 7 PM. To learn more about Café Twelve 04 or to place an order online, visit their website at cafetwelve04.com or find them on Facebook at Face-

book.com/cafetwelve04.

A side note: The Big C.O. sandwich is a popular breakfast sandwich served up hot at Café Twelve 04 on either Texas Toast or a king sized English muffin. The sandwich consists of two eggs made to order, hashbrowns, bacon, 2 pieces of cheddar cheese, and jalapeño cream cheese.

Photo Compilation byDaveEllis

Dunn Landfill Permit Renewal

York State Department of Environmental Conservation is underway.

Operating permits for the Dunn Construction and Demolition Landfill expired on July 19, 2022. Under New York State Law, the landfill is allowed to continue operations on their expired permits while the permit renewal process with New

To date, there has been one environmental justice hearing held by Waste Connections, the owner and operator of Dunn Landfill. There have also been 3 different notices of incomplete applications (NOIA) issued to Dunn by DEC. Once the renewal applications are accepted as complete, the rest of the renewal process will commence. At that time, DEC will open a 30 day public comment period as well as any scheduled, public hearings. Additionally, a second environmental justice hearing will be held by

Waste Connections. If permits for the facility are renewed, the landfill may operate for another 5 or 10 years. During the original permitting process, documents show the facility to have capacity to operate until at least 2036.

To check on the current permit renewal status as well as to take part in the renewal process, visit stopdunn.org or facebook.com/ DunnLandfill.

Would you like a Stop Dunn bumper sticker or a Close Dunn Dump Now lawn sign to show your opposition to the landfill’s permit renewal? Claim yours, at stopdunn.org.

City of Rensselaer Industrial Development Agency

The City of Rensselaer Industrial Development Agency (CRIDA) is a not-for-profit public benefit agency established by an act of the New York State Legislature under Article 18-A Title 2 Section 903-c of the General Municipal Law. The CRIDA can help qualified businesses and not-for-profit organizations relocate, expand, and build in the

City of Rensselaer. Using tax abatement incentives, the CRIDA can help eligible companies cut the cost of acquiring, equipping, and constructing industrial, commercial, manufacturing and civic projects.

The CRIDA can also assist new and expanding businesses with site selection. To learn more visit www.cityofrensselaerida.com

Meetings of the CRIDA take place at 4:15 pm on the fourth Monday of each month in the Main Conference Room at Rensselaer City Hall, Medias are also broadcast live on the CRIDA’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/cityofrensselaerida

The Public is welcome to attend all meetings.

Common Council Meetings 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Do you want to know what’s happening in your City? Do you want to speak about issues or problems you are having as a resident or do you just want to hear what is happening in real time on the administration of your City?

If so, please attend the City’s Common Council Meetings that are held

every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM at City Hall (see Calendar on last page of this Newsletter.

Public speaking begins at 6:30 PM sharp. Meeting agendas are posted on the City’s website on the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting at:

https://rensselaerny.gov/meetingagendas-and-minutes

We welcome your presence and hope you will join us at these important meetings.

I R E C T O R Y

Economic Development Loan Program

The city’s Economic Development Loan Program is designed to offer below-market rate prime fixed at closing loans to eligible City businesses to encourage economic growth. Money has been appropriated through the City’s Community Development Block Grant/Small Cities Program, as well as through the repayment of previous loans.

For more information on the loan program, check out the City’s website at https://rensselaerny.gov/economicdevelopement-loan-program

Document Shredding Annual Bulk Pick Up

Do you have confidential papers you need to shred? You may bring up to 3 boxes of papers to one of the document shredding days this year.

April 29th 9:00 am 12:00 pm

East Greenbush Town Hall

225 Columbia Tpk, Rensselaer, NY 12144

July 22nd 9:00 am 12:00 pm

Schodack Town Hall

265 Schuurman Road

Castleton, NY 12033

October 21st 9:00 am—12:00 pm

Rensselaer City Hall

62 Washington Street

Rensselaer, NY 12144

Once again the City will be providing bulk pick up for its residents. Please see the schedule below

If your Trash is picked up on Your bulk pick up date is

Tuesday Morning Monday April 24, 2023

Wednesday Morning Monday May 1, 2023

Thursday Morning Monday May 8, 2023

Friday Morning Monday May 15, 2023

Enhanced STAR Exemption

Property owners 65 years of age or older may be eligible for Senior Citizen Tax Exemptions on their primary residence.

Senior Citizens have until March 1, 2023 to apply for such exemptions with the submission of renewal applications being required annually.

For information please call or write the Assessor at City of Rensselaer, Sharon Martin, City Hall, 62 Washington Street, Rensselaer NY 12144 or 518462-5421

Building Department

The Building Department issues building permits and conducts inspections under the locally adopted International Building Code, enforces the local Zoning Code, conducts inspections to issue Certificates of Occupancy, and conducts construction site inspections under the local Erosion & Sediment Control law.

Building Permits are required for all structural, roof, and siding work as well as certain types of repair work. Residents are encouraged to contact the department to determine if their project will require a permit.

Homeowners and Contractors will be asked to demonstrate proof of insurance before being issued a permit. Typical turn-around time for a building permit is 7 to 10 days. Please be advised that building department requires at least 24 hours notice before scheduling a building inspection. If you are looking to do work on your existing city home, plan new construction, or are relocating a business to our city, please contact our office so we can assist you with our local rules and application procedures.

New City of Rensselaer Employees

The City of Rensselaer is excited to welcome our newest employees to the city.

Four Police Officers have recently graduated from the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy and will soon be out on the streets protecting the residents of Rensselaer. Congratulations to:

Officer McCoy

Officer Smith

Officer Kippen

Officer Hannigan

Welcome to the City of Rensselaer Police Department and welcome to the team!

Lou “Sonny” Lourinia joined the Building Department in mid December to lead the Department as interim Building Inspector. Sonny previously served as Building Inspector in the early 2000s. Outside of working part time for the city, Sonny is a professional electrician.

Dave Ellis has joined the Building Department as a Code Enforcement Officer. Dave joins the Building Department with experience in residential construction, including framing, insulation, electrical and plumbing. Dave has an extensive background in residential wiring, studying the profession in school. Dave is currently taking courses through the NYS Department of State’s Division of Building Standards and Codes.

Rensselaer Seniors Spotlight

The Rensselaer Senior Center at 50 Herrick Street is directly across from the Amtrak station in the McManus Center. The Rensselaer Senior Center is open to all residents of Rensselaer who are retirement age and serves lunch each weekday from 12-1 PM with various events taking place during the week beginning at 10 AM. Events include line dancing, musical entertainment and art. Numerous trips take place throughout the year including boat rides on Lake

George. Gloria Fonda serves as Director of the Rensselaer Senior Center through the Rensselaer County Department of Aging. To learn more about the Center and find out how you can become a member, you may call 518-4632166. To learn more about the Rensselaer County Department of Aging as well as services available to seniors within the county, you may visit rensco.com/159/Aging

March Events and Weekly Programs

SPECIAL EVENTS

March 7th

Mayor Stammel joins the Seniors for Lunch the 1st Tuesday of each month!

March 17th

Enjoy the sounds of Bobby T on March 17th singing all your favorite Irish songs. Corned Beef dinner will be served at 12:00 noon. Reservation are required, call 518-463-2166 to reserve your spot now!

March 21st

Make Your Own Sunday Party a New Moon Celebration

Enjoy making your own Sundays. Must attend the lunch to join in.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Lunch Served every weekday 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

Line Dancing every Tuesday and Wednesday 10:15 am 11:30 am

Silver Sneakers every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1:00 pm 2:00 pm

Art every Friday 10:00 am 12:00 pm

Spotlightinto events atRensselaer Senior Center

City of Rensselaer Events and Meetings

MARCH 2023