Senator Patricia Fahy who has been hosting similar budget sessions throughout her district said that community meetings before the pandemic, when she was an assemblywoman, “never had a great turnout.” Now, the meetings, with the chaos of federal cuts, are well attended.

Altamont’s tax rate for 2025-26 is set to increase 2.25 percent, from about $2.20 per $1,000 of assessed value to $2.25 per $1,000. The corresponding tax levy will increase from $329,271 to $338,976. 

A majority of the 43 operators, laborers, and mechanics in the potential bargaining unit have signed cards choosing the Civil Service Employees Association as their bargaining representative, according to the union. 

“Let’s clarify what this is and what this isn’t," Chief Executive Officer Donald Csaposs said, opening a conversation on the topic during the IDA’s March meeting. “We’re not here to pass any policy revisions ... We’re here to have a very preliminary discussion of what workforce housing in Guilderland might look like as it relates to the provision of financial assistance by the IDA.”

The spending plan comes right up against the state-set levy limit but does not pierce it. This means a simple majority vote can pass the budget. While spending is up 1.88 percent from last year, the tax levy is up 2.3 percent.

Jason Southwood of Albany is seeking permission to convert the former seasonally-operated Cone Zone at 2028 Western Ave. to a year-round retail cannabis dispensary. 

An Enterprise compiling of Crossgates’ property-tax payments show the mall is due to save millions of dollars due to successfully lowering its assessed value.

Supervisor Peter Barber went through a long list of events happening in town near Earth Day, which is on Tuesday, April 22, this year.

 Laviano is naming his newly completed complex on Western Avenue the Joseph J. Laviano Plaza in honor of his father.