Norwich City Republicans on Wednesday night endorsed a full slate of candidates for the Nov. 2 election, including six candidates for City Council and six for Board of Education, in addition to backing Mayor Peter Nystrom for reelection.
Nystrom cited economic development projects underway and in planning stages, and he and others urged voters to support Republicans in the fall to bring city and school budgets and taxes in check. Several candidates voiced support for creating a city community center, either at a central location or in schools.
“As a mayor, I always try to keep taxpayers first in mind,” Nystrom said. “I always try to promote the city.”
manich@leaderherald.com
JOHNSTOWN The Johnstown Senior Citizens Center recently received a sprucing up from the city Department of Public Works.
Center Executive Director Diedrie Roemer, who is also associated with the local Lions Club, reported recently to the Common Council that she wanted to thank DPW, which got the facility “cleaned up this spring.”
She thanked the DPW staff for also hanging flags on Main Street and “making our city a welcoming place.”
“We are looking forward to the beautiful hanging flower baskets coming in May,” Roemer stated. “The Lions Club is accepting donations for the flowers, which can be mailed to P.O. Box 305, Johnstown, NY 12095.” She said any amount is “very much appreciated.”
manich@leaderherald.com
JOHNSTOWN The city’s internal control officer is urging more immediate action by the Common Council on a city investment policy adopted over a year and a half ago.
In his Dec. 22 report to the council, ICO Darryl Purinton said the policy needs review by the council. He said action by the policy involving investment of city finances only goes so far through City Treasurer Michael Gifford.
“I recommend that the Common Council address the implementation of the policy,” Purinton stated in his report. “The city treasurer has implemented as much of the policy as possible given the limitation on his authority.”
manich@leaderherald.com
JOHNSTOWN The city Water Board last week publicly released details of the Water Department’s proposed 2021 budget, which was adopted by the board Nov. 30.
The spending plan shows $1,692,400 in revenues and $1,972,600 in expenses. The budget indicates that there will be a $280,200 shortfall, which will be made up from reserve accounts.
The water budget for 2021 is still proposed because it is part of city government’s overall tentative budget that is still being worked on by the Common Council, Mayor Vern Jackson and City Treasurer Michael Gifford.
Water Board officials have said the department would be adding several new employees at a more than $275,000 price tag including a new superintendent under the department’s 2021 operating budget.