Ways & Means approves property sales, mortgage distribution, land‑bank transfer and library budget amendments

The Ways & Means Committee on Nov. 5 approved multiple fiscal and property items, moving them forward for execution or recording as indicated on the agenda.

Paul Romano, director of the county Real Property Tax Service Agency, explained the sale of a tax‑foreclosed strip of land in the Town of Niskayuna to an adjacent owner to restore driveway access and clear title. Romano also reported on an online auction held through Collar City Auctions that concluded Oct. 24; 17 properties received bids and the committee authorized acceptance of the successful bids with any surplus funds to be held in escrow consistent with a Supreme Court ruling.

Commissioner of Finance Jackie Faltico reported a semiannual mortgage‑recording tax distribution of $2,053,679.25 for the April 1–Sept. 30, 2025 period, an increase of about 18% year‑over‑year for the same period. The committee approved the distribution.

Kristen Piero Evans, executive director of the Capital Region Land Bank, asked that the county transfer a Delanson Main Street parcel to the land bank; the building suffered a total‑loss fire in 2014, was vacant more than 10 years, and the land bank invested over $65,000 to abate and demolish the structure. The land bank will facilitate transfer to a neighboring owner and restore the lot to productive use.

Jackie Faltico also described capital budget amendments to move funding for exterior improvements at the Glenville Branch Library and Karen B. Johnson Library from serial bonds to cash to close the projects; the committee approved the action.

All items on the Ways & Means agenda were moved to the agenda in a single motion for the remainder of the dual‑referral items and recorded as carried.

Action recorded

• WM 13 — Authorize sale of county‑owned real property in Town of Niskayuna (buyer as read on agenda). Outcome: moved.

• WM 14 — Accept bids from online auction for sale of 17 county properties; authorize quitclaim deeds and escrow of surplus funds. Outcome: moved.

• WM 15 — Authorize mortgage‑recording tax distribution of $2,053,679.25 for April 1–Sept. 30, 2025. Outcome: moved.

• WM 16 — Transfer county parcel to the Capital Region Land Reutilization Corporation (land bank) for the Delanson property; land bank invested over $65,000 to abate/demolish the building. Outcome: moved.

• WM 17 — Approve capital budget amendments to move Glenville and Karen B. Johnson Library exterior improvement appropriations from serial bonds to cash and close the capital projects. Outcome: moved.

Provenance: topic introduced at 00:28:09 and concluded at 00:36:36.