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By
Kate Perry-- February 6, 2004
TROY
- It's all about "doing" this year in Troy.
According to Mayor Harry Tutunjian's first State of
the City address, the plans have been made, and it's
time to increase revenue, decrease unnecessary spending
and make an easy way for new people and businesses to
call Troy home.
Thursday
night, Tutunjian made his remarks in front of an abundant
crowd and bevy of media in the City Council chamber
in City Hall. Throughout his speech, Tutunjian complimented
the momentum toward positive changes the city has gained,
but pointed more toward his future goals for Troy.
Two
of Tutunjian's original proposals created to encourage
home building and improvement piqued the interest of
many. The Filling-In Program would allow people to buy
lots and build homes while paying only taxes on the
lot for the first five years. The Reinvest in Troy Program
would allow residents to make improvements on their
homes while spreading out the assessment increase over
a period of a few years.
Councilman
Jack Mahoney, D-District 2, said the Filling-In Program
is an excellent idea.
"I
really like the incentive for house purchases," he said.
"I think it's an excellent way to get people to look
past the tax issues and get interested enough in the
city to invest here."
In
addition to his own initiatives, Tutunjian was looking
to finish a few old ones. By the end of spring, he said
South Troy will finally be rezoned to complement existing
businesses and promote new growth. The Hoosick Street
Corridor will also be rezoned in the same time period
to allow for new businesses.
Within
the next year, the mayor said the final phase of construction
on Congress Street will be completed. He also made mention
of an exciting opportunity at the nearby Ferry Street
intersection that would involve the city, the county,
Troy Housing Authority and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Russell
Ziemba, a Highland Avenue resident, was pleased by the
mayor's address but is reserving judgment for a while
to make sure that Tutunjian makes good on all of his
promises and reveals specifics on some.
"It
was generally good, but I think details are important,"
he said. "I hope Harry is able to follow through on
these things."
Mahoney
and Council President Marjorie DerGurahian, R-at-large,
both said they are pleased with the work they have seen
Tutunjian do in his first month in office, largely the
product of his Troy Action Team, which he also talked
about in his address.
"So
far, we have cleaned up the alleys in Lansingburgh,
including one with nine tons of trash, and billed them
more than $2,200 for the cleanup. We have shut down
eyesores in North Central, one that was a haven for
drug dealers and illegal late-night activity," the mayor
said. "We have forced businesses in South Troy to comply
with City Code after years of not doing so."
Tutunjian
also mentioned that the city Web site is in new hands
and will be updated regularly.
On
the financial side, Tutunjian noted the darker news,
stating that contractual salaries will increase by $700,000
in 2005 and health care and benefits will go up more
than $950,000. Tutunjian said the city has already saved
the equivalent of a 1 percent tax increase with the
knowledge that those added expenses loom around the
corner.
To
increase revenue, Tutunjian talked about selling water
and collecting on long overdue bills owed to the city
by other municipalities, like the city of Rensselaer
and its water bill that exceeds $1 million.
Tutunjian
concluded his speech by describing the new hierarchy
he has created in city government.
Public
Safety Department heads and the corporation counsel
will answer to him, departments dealing with infrastructure
and economic and business development will report to
Deputy Mayor Jim Walsh, Department of Public Works,
code enforcement, solid waste management and information
services are the charges of Deputy Mayor for Constituent
Relations Dan Crawley and all financial operations and
the human resources will be under the direction of Comptroller
Deborah Witkowski.
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