- At Tuesday’s meeting, the council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign a $33,040 contract with Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. to help the controller’s office speed up the process of reconciling accounting records from July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015.
- The council authorized the mayor to sign a 2-year, $25,000 per year contract with TGW Consulting Group, Inc. who will provide grant writing and consulting services for the city.
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According to Controller Matt Agresta, work on the 2013-2014 Annual Update Document has been completed. Agresta said he will submit the document to NY State this week and then wait for the state to accept it.
“Until that time, [the state] could have an issue with something…we may need to make adjustments. I don’t think that will be the case. But until we receive word back from them that it’s been accepted, in my mind, it’s still a draft until we get to that point,” said Agresta.
- Agresta said after talking with Montgomery County officials, he expects the city to be able to save approximately $15,000 in filing fees to the county by consolidating the deeds for all the properties that are being foreclosed on into one document. However, Agresta said the city will still need to pay for individual forms for each property to be filed with NY State. Previously, the council approved the transfer of $60,000 to cover foreclosure paperwork costs.
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Recently, the HFM Prevention Council received a $250,000 grant from NY State to start a “adolescent substance use disorder clubhouse” in the City of Amsterdam.
According to Alderman Jim Martuscello and Mayor Michael Villa, the Creative Arts Center on East Main Street in Amsterdam will be the site of the clubhouse, and that the grant money will be used toward the repair, maintenance and utility costs associated with the building.
Martuscello credited former mayor Ann Thane’s administration for applying for the grant and mentioned that she had recently sent a letter recommending that the arts center serve as the clubhouse.
“The good thing is that now that building will be staffed, it will be occupied,” said Villa.
According a press release from the governor’s web site, “These community-based clubhouses will promote peer-driven supports and services in a non-clinical setting for young New Yorkers in recovery or at risk for substance use disorders.”
- Mayor Michael Villa said earlier in the week that he had appointed Richard Leggiero and Lisa Choat to the city’s ethics board. On Tuesday he said that Al Mancini had also been appointed.
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February 2, 2016 common council highlights
Tim Becker
Tim Becker is the owner of Anthem Websites Inc. which publishes The Compass. He serves as both editor and a writer.