Vote On Finance Commissioner Appointment

One of the first actions expected at tonight's Rockland County Legislative meeting is the vote to confirm of South Nyack as the Commissioner of Finance and Budget Director. The legislature's Budget & Finance Committee unanimously voted in favor of the appointment last week. DeGroat has held the position as acting commissioner and director for more than a year.

The legislators will also vote to accept a $227,000 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant from New York State.  The funds will cover planning, surveillance, communication, education and training for the period from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 for an emergency event.

Another agenda item deals with the borrowing of to help pay the county’s operating expenses. The county has stated that there is $30 million in uncollected county sales, compensating use and mortgage tax revenues along with monies due from the state and federal governments. The county would borrow the money for a period of one year.

Legislators will vote on setting dates for two public hearings for local laws dealing with electricians on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The first hearing, expected to be scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Nov. 7, would amend local laws related to licensing master electricians in the county. The second hearing to follow at 7:10 p.m. would concern a proposed local law for a county Electrical Code Enforcement Program and certification of electrical inspectors by the county.  

Additionally, they will vote on approval of a $2,287,300 contract for repairs to the wastewater treatment plant in Orangeburg. The lowest bid for the project came from Helmer-Cronin construction of Stony Point. The work on the facility, which serves County Sewer District 1, includes repairing cracks; furnishing, installing and testing a new float cover; removing all parts of the previous cover, and testing for lead and performing abatement as necessary. The Anaerobic Digester Rehabilitation Project must be completed within 365 calendar days from the start of the contact.  

An updated Fire Mutual Aid Plan will be presented to the legislators for approval. The County first put the plan into place in 1985 and since updated it in 1998 and 2004.  The 21-page plan was revised to keep pace with the changing firefighting needs of the county’s fire districts, towns and villages.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.