ROTTERDAM Town mulls switch in hiring authority Planning head would appoint engineer BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.
Rotterdam officials are mulling a code amendment that would allow the Planning Commission chairman to designate an engineer for projects, rather than leaving the decision to the Town Board. The proposed amendment would enable the chairman to appoint a private engineer when one is recommended by the Planning Department. Changing the process would streamline larger projects and allow them to move through the planning process much quicker. “It could shave anywhere from a month to two months from the process,” commission Chairman Lawrence DiLallo said. Projects requiring a town-designated engineer now need to go before the board, even though Rotterdam no longer foots the bill for such services. Town code stipulates that developers must hire an engineer for the town when the planning department advises that one is needed for project review. Often, a developer will need to wait between two weeks and a month before the Town Board can convene to make the appointment. Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the practice was started by former Supervisor John Paolino around the time the town engineer’s position was eliminated in 2003. If the amendment passes, Tommasone said the town will develop a list of preferred engineers. He said the appointment of a town-designated engineer could then be made almost instantaneously, eliminating delays in project review. “It gives more autonomy to the planning commission,” he said. Members of the commission unanimously supported the amendment during their meeting Tuesday. The Town Board will review the law during its meeting next week and is expected to schedule a public hearing in February. Rotterdam began exclusively using town-designated engineers paid for by developers after Paolino eliminated the town engineer’s position in 2003. The Town Board then created a public works coordinator position and put language in the town code stipulating that developers would need to pay for an engineering consultant as part of their administrative fees. Tommasone said the town should eventually reconsider having a staff engineer. In the short term, he said the town should make efforts to..........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01004
I agree with this proposal. My only questions is who decides who the town-designated engineers are? And although I have thought that the idea of having a town paid engineer would be a benefit, I don't think this is the time to add that cost on the taxpayers. If the private sector can offer the same professional service, let them do it.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I agree with this proposal. My only questions is who decides who the town-designated engineers are? And although I have thought that the idea of having a town paid engineer would be a benefit, I don't think this is the time to add that cost on the taxpayers. If the private sector can offer the same professional service, let them do it.
I disagree with it. I may be coming out of my self-imposed hole when it finds its way to a hearing.
I like the fact that this proposal is supposed to save the taxpayer money but when decisions are being made by an engineering firm that may have a hidden agenda or is involved with the actual project that their firm is doing the planning I have a real problem with the credibility of the studies that are given to the town board or planning commission. I still have a problem with the Masullo Estates study being done by the engineering firm developing Helderberg Meadows, conflict of interest IMHO.
Greasin the skids for the former Dem Chair Mike Greasemer's exit? Very interesting...what took ya sooo long Steve? And then to have that "hack" DiLello at the helm???? I thought those days of cronyism died with frank bean. Hey I heard a rumor that Surprise, Surprise Surprise has been handin out assessment reductions to all his Rotterdam NiMo buddies...Only in Rotterdam does this stuff go on uncheck and swept under the rug.
I like the fact that this proposal is supposed to save the taxpayer money but when decisions are being made by an engineering firm that may have a hidden agenda or is involved with the actual project that their firm is doing the planning I have a real problem with the credibility of the studies that are given to the town board or planning commission. I still have a problem with the Masullo Estates study being done by the engineering firm developing Helderberg Meadows, conflict of interest IMHO.
And you don't think there are 'hidden agendas' and 'political positioning' with some of our own public servants? At least you can fire/replace the engineering firm doing the study. Try to fire a town employee! That is even harder yet. I believe that it is time for the government to get out of the employment business. If the private sector can do it....let them. Let them pay the salaries and benefits and insurances. Remember, we can ALWAYS fire/replace the private sector much easier than a town employee. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The only trouble with that theory Bumble is that by the time you fire them the damage is already done. It's seems like politics is the only job that rewards incompetence. PDQ, I'm with you I'm not very impressed with our public works coordinator either, he seems to always side with the developers and not what's best for the taxpayers IMHO.
Last I knew the public works coordinator was just another dept. head like Jim Longo. I dont see how he can side with or against development projects. I didn't think that was his job. From what i have heard the DPW coordinator has made things more efficent and saved the town money. But funny none of the taxes have went down.
The public works coordinator can make decisions concerning a problem which a developer may run into while working on a development. In the past decisions have been made which came back to bite both the town and the taxpayer but greatly benefited the developer IMHO.
To prove my point who in the town approved the substandard storm water sewer system which let the builder off the hook when the system couldn't be done as designed? Why was this problem not referred back to the planning board to be redesigned so that the storm water sewer system would actually work? Take a drive down Bluebird lane and see what a mess it is and the money being spend because someone made a decision that will now cost the town money to correct when the builder should have been made to do the job right in the first place.
Look....the town can use an engineer from the private sector instead of hiring one. We have a zoning board, we have a planning board, we have a town board. They are all there and paid for to oversee the operations of this town. It's end result will ultimately become the town boards responsibility. And again...we can fire the private sector!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
If you read my post you see that the builder couldn't build it as designed. My question is why didn't the developer, engineer, or who ever is supposed to represent the taxpayers in these matters refer it back to the planning board to be redesigned by an engineer. We have had a town board, planning board, and zoning board for many years yet screw up after screw up keeps being approved by someone and in the end the taxpayer foots the bill for the screw ups. I have information on the water problems in this town that you don't have and believe me this type of problem has been going on for many years and it's time that they stop. Where's the comp plan we were promised, the planning board is a joke, and nobody currently that works for this town is protecting the taxpayer from the future costs from poor development.
I agree with everything you are saying Shadow, but where in this swampland, we call Rotterdam can you build without a water problem? There are people who live in Coldbrook, Colonial Manor, Hamburg Street, the west side, the jct who all have wet or damp basements. Sump pumps are not uncommon for anyone in this town. Some of these homes have been around for decades and some are newly built and yet all share the same drainage issues. I do agree that some of these drainage problems were recklessly approved. But drainage problems are apparently Rotterdam's curse.
I guess what I'm saying, is what is the recourse? If an engineer signs off on plans, where to next? The developer? The town board? We all know that it would become a 'he said, she said' fiasco. And the buck would be passed around.IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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