TROY, NY (August 20) – In order to continue leading the charge with lead service line replacement work in Troy, Mayor Carmella Mantello, Council President Sue Steele, and Pro-tem Majority Leader Tom Casey have collaborated to introduce new legislation that will expedite the replacement process. This bipartisan collaboration underscores the city’s unwavering commitment to ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all residents.
“No parent should be afraid to turn on their tap,” said Mayor Mantello. “This bipartisan effort between the Executive and Legislative branches reflects our shared mission to protect the health and well-being of our community by providing every household with access to clean, safe drinking water. We are hopeful that the Attorney General and Comptroller share our urgency in addressing this matter.”
Council President Steele said, “I’m glad to see both branches of city government coming together on this critical issue. Troy’s children are waiting for lead-free pipes and state officials need to offer municipalities the necessary guidance. This multi-pronged bipartisan strategy demonstrates the urgency all city officials feel in finding a speedy solution to lead pipe replacement.”
Pro-tem Majority Leader Casey said, “Lead pipe replacement remains a priority for everyone involved. Troy is proud of our progress in identifying and replacing lead pipes. This legislation will guide us towards the next steps of the Lead Pipe Replacement Program.”
Various municipalities throughout New York are also experiencing difficulties accessing government funding to replace lead pipes. Currently, any town, city or village needing to replace privately-owned lead pipes are currently unable to bond for these efforts Syracuse and Rochester have experimented with legislation to ease the roadblock, which the City of Troy has taken into consideration when drafting the policy. Any town, city or village needing to replace privately-owned lead pipes are currently unable to bond for these efforts.
The administration and Council are putting forth legislation that requests the State Legislature declare a public health emergency in the City of Troy, in addition to a bond resolution.
Another piece of legislation requests the State Attorney General and Comptroller issue a letter outlining their support for Troy to bond for privately owned lead pipe replacement. A letter of support would allow for the city to more confidently take the next step towards issuing bonds for private replacement.
There has been uncertainty surrounding the city’s ability to bond for the replacement of privately-owned lead service lines. On Thursday, the City Council will be voting on a bond resolution for $12.8 million in funding for lead service line replacement. This dollar amount matches the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement Project, funded through the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Department of Health, and meets the necessary first steps for the grants and interest free loans for $12.8 million.
The Mayor, Council President, Pro-tem Majority Leader, and full Council are committed to ridding the city of lead through 2025 and beyond.
The resolutions will be presented and acted on at the upcoming finance meeting on Thursday, August 22nd at 6pm.
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