Busy agenda for Schenectady County Legislature meeting

Closeup of Schenectady County Office Building — PHOTOGRAPHER: - -

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SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady County Legislature rescheduled its regular monthly meeting for Thursday due to a late winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow in some spots.

When lawmakers finally do meet on March 16, they will have a busy agenda, including votes on approving an additional school resource officer for the Duanesburg Central School District and the appointment of a new director for the Schenectady County Veterans Service Agency.

The legislature typically meets on the second Tuesday of the month following its monthly committee meetings that take place a week earlier. This month’s meeting was delayed after the county declared a state of emergency Monday ahead of a winter storm that dumped heavy, wet snow on the region beginning late Monday night and continuing all day Tuesday.

Also on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting is a resolution urging state lawmakers to pass legislation giving the county the authority to issue a $250 tax rebate to property owners receiving the basic, enhanced and credit STAR tax rebates.

A total of $9 million was set aside by the legislature to fund the rebate as part of the county’s 2023 operating budget, but final authority for the program must be granted by the state. Approximately 34,500 property owners are expected to receive the rebate if approved.

County lawmakers are also set to approve a local law granting a 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers with at least two years of service after holding a public hearing on the proposal earlier this month.

The proposed law comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul approved legislation last year allowing municipalities to approve local ordinances granting volunteer emergency workers the exemption and requiring local governments already extending a tax break to such workers three years to conform to the new standard.

Municipalities throughout the region have been taking the issue up, including Rotterdam where lawmakers approved the tax break earlier this month.

Schenectady County currently allows volunteers firefighters and ambulance workers a 10% property tax exemption for up to $3,000 of their assessed home value.

Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, will also provide the legislature with a briefing outlining the legislature with an annual update outlining the development authority’s accomplishments this past year. The annual hearing is required under law.

Lawmakers will also honor the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from Duanesburg schools following successful seasons with a set of ceremonial resolutions. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will also be honored with a resolution ahead of St. Patrick’s Day on Friday.

The meeting will take place at the Schenectady County Office Building, 620 State St., beginning at 7 p.m.

Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: [email protected] or by calling 518-395-3120.