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Assembly members raise concerns about finance committee process and winter service disruptions
Summary
Assemblymembers raised procedural concerns about the finance committee process and discussed operational impacts of extreme cold on trash collection and enforcement of wood-burning rules; staff noted the state handles air-quality enforcement and clarified landfill/transfer-site access for city residents.
During assembly business on Jan. 8, members used the Committee of the Whole to raise process and operational issues. Assemblymember Roterman said he was frustrated with the finance committee process and suggested exploring a consent agenda for certain finance items to streamline work while preserving members’ ability to ask questions. "This process seems to be a little bit disjointed," he said.
Members also discussed operational problems caused by recent extreme cold. Mr. Guttenberg and others described hydraulic failures at private trash collection and transfer stations that led to accumulated bags at some sites. Staff explained that city residents do not pay into the borough solid-waste district and therefore typically use the landfill (which remains open) rather than borough transfer sites; staff provided the city with information on landfill access points that city residents may use.
Air-quality regulation questions: Ms. Wilson asked whether older temperature-based exceptions to wood-burning rules remain in effect. Miss Dolan said the state now handles enforcement and she was not aware of any current temperature-specific exception; staged air-quality alerts and a "no adequate source of heat" process remain in state rules.
Closing: Members praised community volunteers who helped clear transfer-site backlogs during the cold snap. No formal action was taken during the work session; members noted follow-up discussions with administration could be scheduled.
