Kallet among groups receiving state grants

The Kallet Civic Center will receive $250,000for HVAC system upgrades and roof repairs. The building is among several Central New York entities receiving member item, or "pork," spending.

ALBANY >> The Assembly has released a list of local projects slated for funding through member items in this year’s budget, including several in the Oneida region.

The projects awaiting final approval appear in a memo posted to the Assembly website’s public information office page as part of the “State and Municipal Facilities Program” that hands out grants for local projects at the request of legislators.

The projects proposed for funding by Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) include:

• $500,000 to Oneida County “for the demolition and removal of the current bridge, as well as for the construction of a new bridge” there. “This new bridge will provide a safer passageway for residents of the community, as well as a more efficient and safer flow of traffic.

• $250,000 “for HVAC system upgrades and roof repairs at the Kallet Civic Center, as well as for the installation of a high efficiency boiler system at the Oneida Recreation Center. These improvements will allow these centers to continue to provide the much needed community programs and support to the general public.

• $250,000 “to purchase an aerial fire truck. The truck is a critical component to providing fire protection to the residents of the city of Oneonta.”

• $100,000 for the village of Cooperstown “to restore light posts along Main Street and convert them to LED, as well as for sidewalk reconstruction, which will provide a safer and aesthetically pleasing environment for the community and tourists.”

Since taking of f ice in 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has revamped the member item system that was subject to abuse by legislators and their political supporters. Under the old system, legislative leaders could send literally millions of dollars to pet projects in their districts.

Cuomo has consolidated control of the money, depriving legislators of the ability to funnel state cash to private nonprofit groups controlled by themselves or their political operatives.

The new batch of member item projects will be administered by the Dormitory Authority, a little known but powerful state agency under Cuomo’s control. The Senate has not yet released its own list of proposed projects.