‘MOVING FORWARD’
Patricelli touts city’s accomplishments during State of the City address
WATERVLIET, N.Y. » Mayor Charles Patricelli recently presented the City Council and residents with his annual State of the City address, informing them of some of the accomplishments the city has made in a year and what his administration hopes to do next.
“I am proud of the work we have accomplished in the past year, and I believe that it shows that the City Council and I are in full support of the needs of all our departments to assist them in providing the best possible services to our residents,” the Democratic second-term mayor said. “I am extremely proud of the progress we have made for the residents of this city.”
Working together was the only way the city was successful, he said. The city’s financial stability was their highest priority when he took office in 2020, Patricelli said, and though they had achieved that goal and were moving on to others, it would remain at the top of their list.
He also dedicated a good portion of the night to speaking about the Water Department and the Department of Public Works, which have both made major contributions this year, he said including the Water Department’s continued work on the filtration plant, separation of the storm and sanitary sewer lines and inventory of service lines which will continue this year.
Some of the DPW’s largest work this year was street paving and Patricelli said they continue to review and prioritize the streets that need it. They also will be continuing their work on garbage pick up and attempting to streamline and better educate residents on their programs.
Outreach, education, and furthering community bonds occurred frequently in his speech speaking both on the Police and Parks and Recreation Departments and their efforts. Patricelli said that thought change may drive people to want to go back to the ways of the 50s and 60s they couldn’t.
“Times have changed,” he said. “All we can do is take what we have and move forward with open-minded thinking.”
To keep the city moving forward, he mentioned a few of the safety programs the city has like their new “Bus Patrol” efforts that will put cameras on every school bus to catch those who try to pass it when it’s stopped or the child safety seat program. The WPD will also continue its “Coffee with a Cop” and “Night Out” outreach programs.
Due to staffing shortages, he said the School Resources Officer program is temporarily paused but will continue once they have staff for both it and the streets. There will also be a separate 2023 report from Police Chief Joseph Centanni.
They’ve also made leaps with the park system adding and repairing things like the pool house roof, pickleball courts, and the repaved walkway at Hud
son Shores Park, the mayor touted. They also will have the Summer Concert Series returning this year and are currently making plans to construct a restaurant to replace the Rusty Anchor Restaurant and Bar that closed due to ice damage.
Many of these improvements as well as others, Patricelli said, came from grants and donations through the Watervliet Charitable Foundation. The city received over $900,000 in government grants alone and though they were not awarded the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, he said they will apply again this year and continue to make investments in the meantime.
“This city is very fortunate to have so many willing individuals to help purchase these amenities,” he said. “We have received numerous donations from civic groups, businesses, and from residents who have moved away and still take pride in their hometown. This alone speaks volumes about our success and their trust in us.”
One of the largest lessons they’ve learned since his first term in 2020, Patricelli said, was that they must be prepared and they hope in 2024 to be awarded grants to do so. For example, upgrading the generator in the police station and City Hall and adding an emergency generator to the senior center will provide a safe spot for residents in case of emergency.
Patricelli also wanted to remind people that they can reach out to him and keep updated on the city by adding themselves to his email list. Education is invaluable, he said, and the residents deserve to be informed about what is happening in their community.
“We need you to participate to help ensure the City of Watervliet continues to grow and prosper,” he said. “Without hesitation, I am proud to say that Watervliet is continuing to move forward.”