Councilman Mark Hennessey

Weekly Rundown: April 26 2009

2009-04-26T19:15:00.001-07:00

This week was busy again. Talked with some of our neighbors in New Scotland about issues related to development their. Had a town board meeting where we had a presentation from Peter Iwanowicz from the Governor's office aboyt the Governor's Climate Smart Communities Initiative. We adopted a resolution, drafted by Councilman Kotary, centered on makign our town more climate-smart. I seconded the motion. It was great first step towards re-evaluating our towns consumption and output as well as planning ahead for what climate change could look like.

As a parent, its an issue I am deeply concerned about. We also discussed a thank you letter we recieved from the Nature Conservancy for the town's work to protect and enhance the Environmental Protection Fund.

On Friday I was lucky enough to take part in a tree planting at Elsmere School to honor Earth Day and learned that the whole school had learned about reducing trash and changing patterns of consumption. I was very happy to see so many well informed students!

Text of Nature Conservancy Thank You Letter

2009-04-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2009
Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham
Town Board Member Mark Hennessey
The Town of Bethlehem
445 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054

Re:   Town Resolution No. 5: Resolution in support of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund

Dear Supervisor Cunningham and Board Member Hennessey:

On behalf of the 70,000 member of The Nature Conservancy of New York, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your support for environmental funding in the New York State budget this year. The resolution passed by the Town of Bethlehem in support of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) was a helpful tool that led to green victories included in this year’s State budget.

The Nature Conservancy worked with partners including local governments like Bethlehem, conservation organizations, agricultural interests and recreational groups to urge State lawmakers to protect environmental funding. We are pleased that the budget includes $222 million for the EPF this year. At $17 million more than the amount included in the State Deficit Reduction Bill adopted in February, the Fund will continue to benefit communities throughout the State, including your town. After hearing from communities including Bethlehem
about the impact of the EPF in their communities, State leaders recognized the importance of environmental funding in a difficult budget year. We are hopeful that your town will be able to build upon the work you have already completed with support from the EPF, including the fishing platform at Henry Hudson Park. We believe municipalities will benefit from new appropriations for EPF programs including the Farmland Protection Program, the Waterfront Revitalization Program, and the Municipal Recycling and Parks Programs.

In addition to the good news regarding the EPF appropriation this year, the resolution from the Town of Bethlehem was helpful in ensuring that the adopted budget continued the stable funding structure of the EPF through continued dedication of revenue from the existing State Real Estate Transfer Tax. A proposed “sweep” of cash from the EPF for general fund relief was also eliminated from the budget, which will ensure that funding is available for critical environmental programs.

Thank you, once again, for your resolution in support of the Environmental Protection Fund. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you in the future to protect State funding for important local initiatives
in your community and throughout New York.

                                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                   Paul Hartman
                                                                   Director of Government Relations

The Rundown

2009-04-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

This week was pretty busy. Besides doing the normal stuff, I spent some time on Wednesday at a Kiwanis meeting and Saturday morning doing volunteer work cleaning up 9w in Glenmont. The Kiwanis club is doing a Pancake breakfast in May and it is a great opportunity to help out a great local club. Spent most of the rest of the week working on tree-related issues. Also got a copy of a great thank you letter to myself, Supervisor Cunningham and the rest of the Town Board because of work we did to protect the Environmental Protection Fund. I'll post it as a link on Wednesday.

Another Why for High Speed Rail.

2009-03-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a weekend in New York City and spent about an hour in traffic. Sure wish we had an affordable high speed rail service in New York State that would take the grunt work (and traffic) out of a weekend trip.

2009-03-21T14:56:00.001-07:00

just got back from Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Amazed by Asian Garden. Never saw that before.

St. Patrick's Day 2009 Remarks

2009-03-18T04:39:00.001-07:00

I wanted to wish you a Happy Saint Patrick's Day. As you might guess, for the Hennesseys it is always an important day when we reflect on what the Irish part of our heritage means to us. I wanted to share with all of you a statement released by Governor Paterson (it is below) which I think pretty well encapsulates the story of Saint Patrick, save for a few details.

Just like so many who make up the fabric of Irish ethnicity (Normans, Vikings, etc.), Saint Patrick's story starts somewhere else. Maewyn Succat (Patrick's birth name) better known as Patricius (in english Patrick) started out as a Roman (his parents were Romans) living in Scotland. At the age of 14 he was kidnapped and brought into slavery in Ireland - but eventually escaped, studied to become a monk, and emerged as a leader who revolutionized Irish life and so much more.

In America, because of the struggles of Irish and other immigrants, he became a symbol of the promise of America. And as with so many things, the details of this history help us to open windows on our shared horizon.

So I hope everyone that receives this message will take a moment today to celebrate the most important part of Saint Patrick's message: the importance of freedom. Freedom to believe, freedom to live without restraint, and freedom to welcome others to a message of hope. I wish you and your whole family the happiest of Saint Patrick's Day from myself and the rest of the Hennessey family.

Governor's press release here.

2009-03-17T04:05:00.001-07:00

Councilman Hennessey wished everybody a Happy Saint Patrick's Day. It was a great day for wearing of the green.

2009-03-11T10:45:00.001-07:00

Councilman Hennessey is reviewing municipal redevelopment legislation and focusing on Upstate revitalization entities.

2009-03-09T08:42:00.001-07:00

Councilman Hennessey just got back from Governor's press conference -- the theme -- "110 mph train coming soon to a place near you"!

High Speed Rail is Full Speed Ahead!

2009-03-08T06:58:00.001-07:00

In my other life as a Legislative Director and as the founder of New Yorkers for High Speed Rail a 2,280 person organization advancing the cause of high speed rail in New york State -- I have been doing a lot of work to advance the cause of improving rail in Upstate New York. Looks like we will soon see a victory in this regard. Yesterday, I addressed the Empire State Passenger Association -- here's a copy of my remarks. There will most likely be announcement tomorrow about High Speed Rail in NY. Great things ahead for our State and the Capital Region with these improvements. Bethlehem will certainly benefit from any improvements in rail because of our valuable Selkirk rail yard and proximity to the City of Albany -- which will be the nexus of plans for improvements to rail in new York State. I fyou have not already, please join us in New Yorkers for High Speed Rail.

2009-03-07T16:16:00.001-08:00

is home from the Empire State Passenger Association meeting. Met some awesome rail advocates there.

Slingerlands Power Issues Meeting

2009-03-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

Power issues are no new matter for some Slingerlands residents. So on Thursday night, Slingerlands residents got together with National Grid to talk about plans to tackle this recurring problem. The meeting was a spinoff from an earlier meeting about the townwide ice storm that happened a few months back.

Residents have complained about have frequent power outages and it was identified at the meeting that there are aggressive plans to start the process of a permanent fix. Residents from Carstead, Devomshire, North and South Helderberg, Thorndale and other streets had a lot to say about what has to be done so far and there was a lot of feedback saying that National Grid needs to do more. National Grid made some commitments towards trrying to fix the problem and we will keep an eye on making sure this all gets resolved favorably for town residents.

Good Neighbor Day

2009-03-06T05:29:00.000-08:00

As part of the Town-Declared Good Neighbor day last Saturday I attended some community events and helped a new Bethlehem resident move into town. I was invited to attend a pancake breakfast for Bethlehem Mickey Mantle Baseball and brought my son and a friend along with me. It was great to see such deep support for the work that they are doing and I was very happy to be there.

I helped new town residents Frank and Sue Colletto move into their new home. As an elected official we are often doign things that involved listening anf voting -- so it was nice to actually use some elbow grease for a while. They have a lovely new home and it is terrific that they are new neighbors.

I also had a chance to talk with one of town residents about a new farmer's market that is in the works. More on that later as it develops.

Power Outage Town Hall Meeting

2009-02-03T04:18:00.001-08:00

Last week I took part in a town meeting about the power outage we had in many parts of Bethlehem in Mid-December. Many Bethlehem residents came to the meeting to talk about their continuing problems with power provision through National Grid. I listened and took down notes -- but most people agreed that a core solution to the problems that exist is burying power lines. The meeting was lead by Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham and attended by Councilmembers Kyle Kotary and Sam Messina as well as Planning Board members John Smolinksy and Kate Powers.

I asked a question about historical staffing levels at National Grid's predecessor Niagara Mowhawk versus its staffing levels today. I believe that the process of bringing people in from other areas means that time need to be spent transporting people instead of responding to the crisis in front of them. The representative from National Grid said that she did not know an answer to my question about comparative staffing levels.

At the beginning of my question I also thanked all of our first responders and volunteers who helped out at Town Hall. I spent some time working in Town Hall and can say that everyone there did a great job in assisting people. I live on Elsmere, so I knew that our fire response personnel were put serving the community all weekend and into the beginning of the week -- a fact confirmed by Jack Brennan, our Town Director of Emergency Management.

Noise Ordinance Task Force Drafting Meeting

2009-01-25T06:46:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I took part in a meeting of the drafting subcommittee on the Noise Ordinance Taskforce. This is the second of such meetings - which are separate from the once-every-two-weeks meetings of the Noise Ordiance Taskforce. At this session we were able to spend some time really talking about and workign through different sections of the proposed law and what they would mean in the the context of pre-existing laws and the comments we have received from the public. Councilman Sam Messina and Deputy Chief Tim Beebe from the Bethlehem Police Department were also there. We are really starting to reach a point where the overall scope of the ordinance is getting much more clear and the length of the ordinance is starting to really shorten up and become more solid.

I am really pleased to report that all signs indicate an earlier-than-expected conclusion to our work as a Task force and the delivery, to the Town Board, of a completed ordinance.

INAUGURATION PARTY

2009-01-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

I attended an Inauguration Party hosted by Paul Tick and Agnes Zellin at Java Jazz in Delmar last night. There were quite a few people there -- and it was really terrific to talk to so many who were overjoyed at the inauguration of our new President, Barack Obama. The conversations centered around everyone's hopes for the next four years, especially as it regards fixing the economy, peace in the Middle East and renewable energy technology. I left with the impression that there is so much we can do together in the next four years.

I was joined at the event by Bethlehem Planning Board Member Kate Powers, my fellow Town Board member Kyle Kotary, County Legislator Phil Steck and County Legislator Doug Bullock.

STATEMENT ON THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA

2009-01-21T04:15:00.000-08:00

Like so many Americans, I have been granted a new optimism, hopefulness and inspiration by today's events. I am optimistic because President Barack Obama will work with all Americans to tackle the hard problems facing our country and in doing so, return the United States to its place of prominence in the world. I am hopeful that Americans from all walks of life can set aside their differences and work toward our common goals. Since so many of us can trace our American roots to other soil, the words that President Obama used today should have special value to all of us. All Americans should harness the inspiration of President Obama's story to show the children of today that they too can rise to the highest heights.

I hope we can all stand alongside our new President and remain equal to the task that now lies in front of us all. God bless the Unites States of America, the Town of Bethlehem and our new President, Barack Obama.

Against the CDTA Rate Hike

2008-12-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

I testified tonight at a hearing about the proposed $.50 to $ 1.00 fare increase on Capital District Transit Authority riders. I testified against this fifty to one hundred percent increase in base fares. I really think that, much like the other speakers, we need to focus on costs and making sure that we take every other possible step before seeking a rate increase.

My full testimony is below:

TESTIMONY OF COUNCILMAN MARK HENNESSEY
As Presented At The December 4, 2008 Public Meeting on CDTA Fare Increases

My name is Mark Hennessey and I am a Town Councilman in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County. I want to thank the board and the staff of CDTA for giving me an opportunity to speak today – because I believe that the $1.00 rate CDTA now charges plays an important part in keeping the Capitol Region moving. I know that a fifty cent and thereby fifty percent increase will drive people away from the buses and back to cars. That means more traffic, more pollution and ultimately, less revenue for the CDTA – but it also means a deep, deep impact on the working poor. I believe there is more CDTA can do to look at cutting its own expenses and other alternatives before considering a fare increase that should be the absolute last resort.

In reading through your Fiscal Year 2009 Budget I noticed a few things that gave me concern.

First off, I read that you implemented new services in Saratoga, adding five new bus routes, and significantly increasing service hours while providing a number of "customer amenities." I am all for expanding service – but it seems to me that the real important issue that is not talked about is the need for enhancements to pre-existing routes. My constituents ride the #18, #19 and #7 and they have no seen a correlated tripling of service – so as you raise fares to make sure that Saratogians can get around town – you are not doing the same for my constituents in Bethlehem. For my constituents and others who have been asking for improvements for years, this is simply scandalous.

Second, your budgeted cost increases are very high. Looking at costs, the salary line for the legal department has gone up 25.1% and the professional services line has gone up 100%. Albany Transit's Transportation Administration's line has gone up 44.5%, transportation supervisors have gone up 41.7%. This is exceeded by Troy where the same costs, for transportation Administration have gone up 74.8% while in Schenectady the same category has gone up 79.8%. These increases are surpassed by a 100% increase in Field Operations Material and Supplies and and a 133% increase in Travel and Meetings.

I also noticed in reviewing you budget that you anticipate a 29.6% percent increase year-to-year in fuel costs. I think that, looking at the current recession and precipitous drop in fuel prices – that could be a faulty projection. My suggestion in this case is to buy in to a new, long term fuel contract which could save you significant money.

Last, but not least, I ask you to reconsider the rates because of the unfair impact it has on those who can afford it the least. I rode the CDTA #18 for two years and saw first hand overcrowded, barely operational buses which were cold in the winter and scorching in the summer. I saw the mothers and fathers, children and grandparents, for whom CDTA is the only choice -- a lifeline of mobility. I sat alongside many people who told me their stories of how they were happy that a bus could help them to get to work – because otherwise they could not afford it. I met a lot of my future constituents on the 18. So it is for these people, and not for me, that I ask you to reconsider. In the last two years, due to the increase in ridership you have seen that a fair-priced ride improves ridership. I know a fare hike will drive those same folks away.

For all these reasons, I ask respectfully, to please reconsider your decision. Thank you.

Town Budget Passed, New Sidewalks On Their Way

2008-11-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday we adopted our town budget for next year. It is a sound budget based on rational principals - paying as we go and investment in toop notch services. I made a few comments about how the snapshot nature of budgets mean you have to make forecasts based on the information in hand at the time of passage. We all know that those numbers can and do change. We'll keep an eye and things, and revisit them in the next few months to see where we are. If we need to modify our numbers we will.

In other news, the Town Board kept a promise it made to the voters and approved a project to create new sidewalks in many parts of the town - on Feura Bush Road, leading up to the YMCA and a host of other projects. In all, a small portion of the costs are borne by the Town so it is a net positive for walkability and pocketbooks. Even more interesting is that these new paths will create better walkable and bikable access around town. I was proud to forward the motion to approve the project - and my motion was seconded by my colleague, Councilman Kyle Kotary. The motion was also unanimously approved.

Vote Tuesday

2008-11-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

I've been a bit remiss in posting lately. Work on the Town's Noise Ordinance Task Force, the Regular Town Board and Town Budget have me just swamped. Yesterday I helped out with a own wide literature drop for our Democratic Team and spent some time talking to voters abotu our Assemblyman, Tim Gordon. At the lit drop I caught up with Senator Neil Breslin who predicted great things on Tuesday.

Just wanted to post a message asking everybody to vote no matter who you are voting for.I was at an Obama rally yesterday in Albany that was really amazing - and our friend, Kate Powers gave a great talk about the importance of turning out on Tuesday. I hope everyone gets to the polls.

Town Board Meeting on 9-25-2008

2008-09-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

THE BUDGET. After months of preparatory work, last night was the first presentation of a complete (draft of the 2009 budget. We had a walk-through presented by Town Supervisor Cunningham and Town Comptroller Judi Kehoe. Bethlehem, like the rest of the Capital Region is presented with a list of hard choices. I invite everyone to check out the town website on Friday when the budget should be posted.

HOLDING THE LINE ON AMBULANCE COSTS. Steve Kroll from Delmar Ambulance Corp came to talk about changes to billing for ambulance services. They have been pursuing the ability to do charge-backs to health insurance so that they can avoid increasing taxes collected for ambulance services. It looks like that will be a successful effort - so kudos to them for that. Its a real benefit to taxpayers and will result in savings while still saving lives.

CREATING A SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES AND SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. We approved action to replace flow transmitters at the New Salem Water Treatment Plant - which will lead to safer conditions for workers and visitors at that facility. We also rejected a separate contract where only one bidder came back with a bid because their bid was too high. Its another example of how town government is working hard to protect the taxpayer.

RESEARCHING INNOVATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PRACTICES. We approved a feasibility study to look at the possibility of creating a a hydroelectric generation facility inside the Town water system. With the escalating cost of energy this system would help reduced town energy purchases and help moderate costs. That would be a net benefit to town taxpayers and town operations. Half of the cost for the feasibility study will be paid by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) . This is another innovative way that the town is looking at to utilize current town infrastructure to our best advantage.

NOISE ORDINANCE. We appointed two more people to the Town Noise Ordinance Task Force -- me, Mark Hennessey, and Chris Hanifin. We are expected to accelerate the development of the an ordinance. It has taken over a year for the development to get to where it is now.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS. We funded a feasibility study for a new Thruway entrance on the south end of Selkirk. This action would be taken in lieu of the green space absorbing Selkirk Bypass and it shows the town's committment to Economic Development that respects town residents and the environment. I pointed out and Joann Dawson concurred that this study is only informational.

During the budget briefing, Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham pointed out that VISTA is moving forward and that a ground breaking is expected for later this fall.

Happy Labor Day

2008-09-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

It's easy to lose sight of the importance of Labor Day. Many people see it as "the end of summer." Others view it as the last holiday before school restarts. But the truth is that it was a holiday set up to honor the common person for the work they do everyday. My wife pointed out a bumper sticker to me this weekend which said "Labor Unions: The People That Brought you the Weekend." Well, Labor Day is more of the same. The Wikipedia page listed here has a great account of who pushed for it, and its federal adoption as a holiday.

All us sacrifice our time and talent to the career we choose whether that be in an office or in a home. Some people have volunteer careers that, while unpaid, are a cornerstone of our community. Firefigthers and Ambulance Squad come to mind. Retirees should also be honored. They have chalked up enough service to be included in our thanks.

It is fitting that we all take a day to celebrate the hard working folks who make our country (and town) a great place to live. For that reason, it is one of the most important days of the year. So thank you one and all and Happy Labor Day!

Freeing the Airwaves

2008-08-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, I have spent a lot of time in my other career working on technology policy. That's why I really enjoyed "Google Public Policy Blog: Time to "Free the Airwaves." America has fallen behind other countries in deploying broadband and we need to do everythign we can to catch up and pass our competitors. creating better utilization for Whitespaces might play a part in that process. Whitespaces, or the distances between transmitted frequencies, represent one of the lats unoccupied spaces in the radio spectrum - increasingly crowded and expensive real estate doled out by the FCC. In recent years, the FCC has made some smart decisions and left open pieces of frequency so that innovative open services can be provided. Cordless telephones and Wi-fi connections were the result of that smart policy.

Now, we have a chance to do it again. Recently, I read another study about software programmable radios, that is radios that can listen for open frequencies and then transmit on those frequencies on the fly. Whitespaces, or the distances between transmitted frequencies could be best utilized as a test bed for this technology. One company, headed up by Vanu Bose, has donesome great work commercializing this technology. I hope you will take a minute to sign the petition to the FCC asking them to open up whotespaces for these and other innovative purposes.

CART’s on the right track

2008-08-10T12:03:00.001-07:00

I thought this blog post was great - grassroots working to move forward an important project. It seems everybody has rails (and trails) on their mind in the past couple of weeks. I posted this blog note about conversion of the old rail bed to a walking trail, something for which I have heard scores of support from constituents all across town. A properly implemented trail system makes a lot of sense. l I like the idea of creating transportation alternatives - as I believe that diversified mass transportation has inherent environmental and other benefits. And as town officials, we are doing what we can to make it happen. I’ve reached out to the company and to others to get a sense of where things stand and heard similar things to what David had. I have heard from many of my colleagues on the Town Board that they want this to happen as well. I will make this promise - the same one I made during the campaign - that this will get done.

Support for the walking/biking trail is not unanimous. I recently received an email from a constituent in Glenmont (who actually commented on the last posting) who said that he was more interested in setting up a light rail system from Bethlehem to Albany on the former rail bed. The constituent doubted that many commuters would make use of the walking and bike trail.

Having a light rail system in that area was an idea I have kicked around for a while a few years back, but one for which I had not heard a lot of support. Despite this, it was an idea I talked to CDTA about when I met with them a few months back. CDTA was more interested in Bus Rapid Transit - which given their current infrastructure (mostly buses) and need for flexibility that reflects growth patterns (which can change) makes good sense as a transitional technology. So, there are different ideas. The Times Union posted a story on light rail today (with a bit nebulous 1 billion dollar price tag) — see that here.

Understand, I think the walking and biking trail is the best use for the former rail bed and its what I am pursuing. Nevertheless, I’d love to hear from other constituents about their thoughts on the matter - please post below or email me at mark@markhennessey.com. And thanks to everyone who worked on gathering signatures and signing petitions. You are doing great and important work keeping this topic on the front burner.

Trails and Rails

2008-07-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

I've recently received a lot of information about an Bethlehem and Albany Rail trail. As anyone I have talked to about this knows - I am a big supporter of the concept. A converted rail trail is a great idea for exercise and even bike commuting. Coupled with improvements to the mass transportation system it could really help to take a lot of cars off the road. That's good for the environment and for consumer's pocketbooks - both of which have to be something we think about all the time.

Unfortunately, as with other things in this world making it happen is not as easy as saying, "lets do it." In truth, there is a lot of work that will need to be done to:

plan for the best method of environmentally sensitive paving,
explore options for helping to maintain safety and security of foot and bike traffic and
come to an understanding of how to effectively secure a trail that might cross several government jurisdictions.

And there will also be the issue of figuring out who will own the trail - the County or the town.

It will take some time to work out these details, but we will get them done. I committed to making it happen and it will. I have spoken to some of my colleagues on the Town Board and they agree with me on this.