State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Timely Cleanups Essential for Success of NY’s Brownfields Program

 

Timely Remediation Essential for Success of State's Brownfield Cleanup Program

Some former industrial and commercial contaminated sites that could pose risks to the public’s health and safety have languished in the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, according to an audit by Comptroller DiNapoli. The audit examined the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) management of the program and found it must be strengthened to ensure private parties follow through on the timely remediation of their contaminated sites.

“By encouraging private parties to clean up contaminated sites across the state, the Brownfield Cleanup Program has helped remove environmental threats and put abandoned properties back to productive use, but delays in remediating properties may allow contaminants to spread, put residents’ health and safety at risk and cost the state more money,” DiNapoli said. “The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation can strengthen its oversight and establish clear policies and criteria to ensure cleanup projects do not languish, are completed timely and program participants are held accountable. I am encouraged by DEC’s positive response to our audit recommendations.”

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As Racial Homeownership Disparities Persist, State's Mortgage Agency Increases Lending to Minority and Low-Income Borrowers

The State of New York Mortgage Agency has boosted lending and programs for minority households and economically disadvantaged communities, increasing its share of loans provided to low-income and minority borrowers over the last 10 years. However, wide racial and ethnic disparities persist in homeownership in New York. In 2023, the most recent year for which data are available, White homeownership rates were 13 percentage points higher than Asian rates, 34 points higher than Black rates and 39 points higher than Latino rates, according to a report by Comptroller DiNapoli.

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Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Annual IDA Report

New York's 106 local Industrial Development Agencies reported 4,282 active projects with a record-high total value of nearly $136 billion in fiscal year end 2023, an increase of 3.1% or over $4 billion, from the prior year, according to an annual report released by State Comptroller DiNapoli.

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Rochester Woman Arrested for Alleged Theft of Nearly $13,000 in Pension Payments

Comptroller DiNapoli, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of a 68-year-old Rochester woman for allegedly stealing $12,973 in state pension payments sent to her deceased mother. The defendant was arraigned in Monroe County Centralized Arraignment Court on a charge of grand larceny in the third degree before Judge Cook.

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M U N I C I P A L   A U D I T S Town of Coxsackie – Supervisor’s Records and Reports Lewis County Industrial Development Agency (LCIDA) – Staff Services Agreements Town of Alden – Town Supervisor Town of Alden – Town Clerk/Tax Collector Town of Leicester – Financial Management Town of Windsor – Financial Management Henrietta Fire District – Distribution of Foreign Fire Insurance (FFI) Tax Proceeds Monroe No. 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) – Credit Cards Town of Rutland – Town Clerk/Tax Collector Town of Rutland – Water and Sewer Charges Town of Bethlehem – Information Technology

 

S C H O O L  A U D I T S Amani Public Charter School – Purchasing and Claims Approval Sullivan West Central School District – Lead Testing and Reporting DeRuyter Central School District – Lead Testing and Reporting Island Trees Union Free School District – Inventorying and Monitoring Capital Assets Truxton Academy Charter School – Tuition Billing and Collections Avoca Central School District – Payroll Avoca Central School District – Procurement

A L S O   I N   T H E   N E W S

• Audit says LIRR exaggerated service boost after Grand Central Madison opening
• Audit finds brownfields 'languished' in state cleanup program
• Why New York's 911 system needs a major upgrade
• The source of the MTA’s operating revenue
• AI safety bills in New York await Hochul’s signature
• DiNapoli: NY must do more to educate lower-income homebuyers about assistance programs

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