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Public Safety Tuesday night
Executive Session at the City Council meeting Tuesday night will have discussions of a few things related to real estate in the city, including the status of two different land swaps Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen is looking at.
He would not say what the properties were or why he was interested in them, saying he would discuss them in the future but "this is definitely not the appropriate time."
From what I've heard, it may have something to do with property on the East side of the city, near Saratoga Lake, where residents have expressed concern about the need for a fire or ambulance station.
Here is a segment from an article I wrote last October, when Mathiesen said he was eying some land:
The other land swap, I'm told, is that he may be looking at some kind of land swap with neighbors of the West Side Fire Station, but I've not heard any reasons why.
Also on the executive session, Accounts Commissioner John Franck will also be discussing an Article 7 proceeding — basically a lawsuit filed by someone grieving their assessment. They are usually filed by commercial or rental properties and can take years to settle.
We'll see if we actually hear anything in the open about any of that tomorrow night.
He would not say what the properties were or why he was interested in them, saying he would discuss them in the future but "this is definitely not the appropriate time."
From what I've heard, it may have something to do with property on the East side of the city, near Saratoga Lake, where residents have expressed concern about the need for a fire or ambulance station.
Here is a segment from an article I wrote last October, when Mathiesen said he was eying some land:
"Mathiesen said he has focused in on an area of the Eastern Plateau where a station could be located, but he would not divulge where because his office is currently looking at properties for acquisition by the city.He said with 28 square miles of city to cover, “you can make an argument for more than three stations,” but “the first step is to acquire the land.”I'm told he is hoping to swap a city-owned parking lot for a piece of land on Route 9P. Mathiesen referenced "issues regarding the possible land swaps" Monday morning when asking to be added to the executive session.
“I’ve been putting up with that first step for four years now,” (George Shulof, president of the Interlaken Homeowner’s Association) said. “I’m hopeful, but it’s taken too long.”
Only a small percentage of the emergency call volume goes to the Eastern Plateau, but Mathiesen said most of the responses from the new station would go to the eastern side of the city and to the Northway.
The other land swap, I'm told, is that he may be looking at some kind of land swap with neighbors of the West Side Fire Station, but I've not heard any reasons why.
Also on the executive session, Accounts Commissioner John Franck will also be discussing an Article 7 proceeding — basically a lawsuit filed by someone grieving their assessment. They are usually filed by commercial or rental properties and can take years to settle.
We'll see if we actually hear anything in the open about any of that tomorrow night.
Labels: Accounts Commissioner John Franck, City Council, Eastern Plateau, Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen
posted by Unknown at
1:52 PM
4 Comments:
Thank you commissioner Matthiessen for looking to the future. Sometimes public safety means spending a few extra dollars. Please continue your excellent job of managing the safety of the residents and guests of Saratoga springs.
Campaign treakier that's all that is,ask him why fire trucks and ems are answering calls on the westside??
@8:13
Huh!! That makes no sense what so ever, go back to sleep.
The current program with all available expenses included would not cash flow positively even at 93% of the calls. This can be well documented. The only way a program like this would be acceptable would be to have a private carrier like Mohawk Ambulance take over the complete city, Pay rent in three locations including the current main firehouse which belong to the taxpayer, collect rent on all three locations including a percentage of the revenue and than and only than will it create revenue for the city and provide proper coverage. The proposed program would add a purchase of a Fire Truch, a new ambulance, additional FF's and will inflate the citites yearly and long term costs in a negative way. This plan needs to be fine tuned and the Council should take the lead and not Chief Williams and his upper administrative staff who are increasing their pension costs at an alarming rate. A financial is available that would explain all this but hasn't been presented to date but will shortly. This is beginning to seem like a tax and spend Democratic Party of the past and payback for election support for some members of the Council. Lucian - I would be more than happy to share the financial with the Saratogian. Please respond on this blog and I will contact you.
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