City officials are divided over a proposed repayment plan from the city of Rensselaer for its $3 million water debt to Troy. Democratic Councilman John Brown wants to consider an upfront $600,000 payment from Rensselaer toward settling the debt, which includes penalties and interest. A schedule for further repayment would follow, he said. If the City Council were to accept this proposal, the city would drop its lawsuit against Rensselaer over the unpaid water charges. Brown said resolving the water debt was one of his campaign issues.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian said Brown’s proposal doesn’t consider what’s best for Troy taxpayers. The mayor said Rensselaer had agreed to a previous payment plan, then did not adhere to it. He also criticized Brown for talking to Rensselaer officials in December before he was sworn into office as a City Council member.
The Public Utilities Committee was set to meet Thursday to discuss the proposal, but the meeting was postponed until Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, who was invited to explain the proposal to the City Council’s Public Utilities Committee, can attend. Brown said he hopes to hold a committee meeting on January 24 if Dwyer is available.
Troy enforces cell law
City police will use a $15,000 state grant to help them to crack down on people who talk on their cell phones while driving. The monies were appropriated by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
The department is focusing on areas near high schools and colleges because data shows drivers ages 16–24 are most likely to get into accidents because of illegal cell phone use. In particular, police will be concentrating on Burdett Avenue near Troy High School and RPI and Vandenburgh Avenue near LaSalle Institute and Hudson Valley Community College when looking for drivers on cell phones.
Officers will use unmarked police cars and will write citations according to a zero tolerance policy. Officers began patrolling early this month and continue the effort into the early summer.
