Amsterdam Common Council adopts Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway and approves leachate, boardwalk and other measures

The Amsterdam Common Council on Jan. 21 adopted a resolution supporting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, approved a three‑year agreement to accept landfill leachate from Montgomery County, awarded two contracts for the Southside boardwalk project and passed budget and administrative measures.

The council voted unanimously to back nomination of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway and to adopt the corridor management plan, citing the corridor’s historic connections to Tubman and freedom seekers and the steering committee’s work with 22 municipalities. Mayor Conquanti presented the measure as the city’s official support for the nomination and management plan.

Council members also approved a three‑year leachate disposal agreement with Montgomery County. The resolution states the city will accept leachate through Dec. 31, 2027 at a rate written in the resolution as 0.045¢ per gallon. During discussion a council member referenced prior rates and suggested increasing the per‑gallon charge; engineering and finance staff described the change as reflecting roughly a 10–12% increase compared with the prior agreement and said budgeted revenues for the sanitation/leachate line remain within expectations.

The council awarded mechanical and electrical contracts for the Southside boardwalk project and rejected and ordered a rebid of the plumbing contract. The mechanical contract was awarded to A. Trifusson and Son LLC for $32,700 and the electrical contract to Spring Electric Inc. for $186,050. The plumbing bid was rejected as exceeding the budget and was readvertised with an intent to return an award at the Feb. 4 council meeting.

Other approved measures included adoption of the minutes from the prior council meeting, the appointment of Mona Stempkowski to the Zoning Board of Appeals, a fiscal year 2024–25 budget transfer to cover $60,400 of insurance deductibles tied to recent claim settlements, and formal approval of city audit documents.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 24‑25‑126 — Adopt minutes of the common council meeting. Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: Aye; Alderman Holliday: Aye; Alderman Collins: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑127 — Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway nomination and Corridor Management Plan adoption (sponsored in the reading by Mayor Conquanti). Outcome: approved unanimously (roll call recorded: Alderman Collins: Aye; Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: Aye; Alderman Holliday: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑128 — Three‑year agreement with Montgomery County for disposal and treatment of Eastern Landfill leachate (agreement term through 12/31/2027; rate as printed in the adopted resolution: 0.045¢ per gallon). Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Holliday: Aye; Alderman Collins: Aye; Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑129 — Appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Mona Stempkowski). Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: Aye; Alderman Holliday: Aye; Alderman Collins: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑130 — Budget transfer for judgments and claims (to cover $60,400 in deductibles from recent insurance claim settlements). Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Collins: Aye; Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: No; Alderman Holliday: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑131 — Approve audit and authorize payment of presented bills. Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Collins: Aye; Alderman Carpenter: Aye; Alderman Martisello: Aye; Alderman Holliday: Aye).

- Resolution 24‑25‑132 (consent) — Award mechanical and electrical contracts for Southside boardwalk; reject and rebid plumbing contract. Outcome: approved (roll call: Alderman Martisello: Aye; Alderman Holliday: Aye; Alderman Collins: Aye; Alderman Carpenter: Aye).

Why it matters

By formally supporting the Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway, Amsterdam joins a multi‑county effort to preserve and promote sites tied to Tubman and Underground Railroad history, which proponents say can improve visitor experience and unlock funding opportunities. The leachate agreement and boardwalk contract awards affect city operations and capital projects: the leachate contract governs a revenue stream and the sanitation fund’s ongoing treatment obligations; the boardwalk awards clear the way for construction to continue pending successful rebidding of plumbing work.

What council members said

Council members repeatedly described the byway designation as appropriate because of local historic sites tied to Underground Railroad activity in Amsterdam, including a farm and an upstairs storefront that council discussion identified as local points of significance. On the leachate contract, staff said the rate change mirrors rising costs under the previous agreement; one council member noted the change would increase annual revenues in the neighborhood of $8,000–$10,000 based on current volumes.

Process notes and next steps

- The plumbing contract for the Southside boardwalk was rejected for exceeding budget and has been re‑advertised with a bid opening set for Feb. 3; staff expect to return an award resolution at the council’s Feb. 4 meeting. - The leachate agreement is effective through Dec. 31, 2027 as written in the adopted resolution. - The city will proceed with the appointed zoning board member’s onboarding according to board procedures.

Ending

Council members also used the meeting to update residents on schedule items such as upcoming public hearings and local events; the council recessed the committee-of-the-whole portion and moved into the regular meeting to consider the resolutions listed above.