Residents no doubt noticed the construction throughout town in the past year, and Supervisor Paula Mahan vowed to continue that work with a promise to further improve the town’s out-of-date infrastructure in 2015.
Mahan delivered her sixth State of the Town address in front of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce members Friday morning, Jan. 16. With vows to continue improving the town, Mahan was hopeful this coming year will be as productive as the last.
“I think we would all agree that there’s an incredible sense of energy and forward motion in Colonie, and I know this momentum will continue,” Mahan said.
Mahan’s main focus was on improving the town’s infrastructure. Last year, residents saw major construction on Sand Creek Road, from Norbrick Drive to Everett Road. While the construction delayed traffic, the project paid off to alleviate flood conditions in the area.
The Latham Water District installed 4,3000 feet of new water main, while the Division of Pure Waters installed 900 feet of new pipe. Mahan said the old system dated back nearly 80 years.
As well, the Capital Communications headquarters on Winners Circle resulted in a new roundabout at Marcus Blvd., extending Maxwell Road from Route 9 to Sand Creek Road. Further work will be done in the same area. In the second phase of that project, Winners Circle and Aviation Road will be connected with the new roundabout and renamed Maxwell Road. That roundabout will then be connected to Albany Shaker, creating a parallel route and alleviating traffic on Wolf Road.
The Latham Water District and Division of Pure Waters will also both undergo plans to update systems.
As well, more developments and new regional stores will continue bringing business to Colonie, Mahan said. Businesses like Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack were the first regional stores in the area, and a Sonic is on its way.
“In 2014, we estimate that 536 jobs were created, retained, or relocated in Colonie. In addition, we estimate that more than 900 construction jobs were created just on the more visible projects,” said Mahan.
Mahan also commented on the growing financial state of Colonie’s town government. In 2008, the town’s reserve fund balance was zero. It now resides at $2.6 million. Mahan said the goal is to reach $4 million within the coming years.
“I’m also very proud that our conservative financial practices have allowed us to keep our budgets low while at the same time providing an excellent level of resident services,” said Mahan. “It’s possible only because we have worked very, very hard every year to find new ways to make town government cost our taxpayers less,” she said.
This coming year, residents will benefit from the state Tax Rebate Program since the tax levy was limited to 1.56 percent.
Richard Sleasmen, president and managing director of CBRE Real Estate and board member of the Albany-Colonie Chamber, commended Mahan for the current state of Colonie.
“There’s no doubt that local and state governments have pressure of providing the vital services and retained resources that we all read about in the papers every day. That being said, Colonie continues to make tough decisions and remains your community of choice for both residents and businesses in the capital region here,” said Sleasmen.
With a second dog park being built in 2015 adjacent to the town golf course and a promise to keep up funding programs for seniors and youth, Mahan said it was no wonder why Colonie was voted “Best Community” in a recent regional poll.
“So much that we have worked for since I first assumed office in 2008 has been achieved – including solid financial stability,” said Mahan. “Now it is very gratifying to be able to begin the challenging process of rebuilding the Town’s infrastructure – inch-by-inch, foot-by-foot, and mile-by-mile. Colonie is truly entering a new era.”
