Governor Hochul Announces $44.2 Million for Clean Water Systems and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects Statewide

 

Projects Located in 6 Regions Upstate.

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved more than $44 million for drinking water and wastewater projects across New York State. The funding includes grants, interest-free financings, and low-cost financings, approved by the EFC Board of Directors. This will provide cost-effective solutions for critical infrastructure projects across the state that protect or improve water quality.   

"One of the most important things to keeping a community strong and resilient is access to clean water. By ensuring our local partners have the resources they need to invest in critical water projects, we can bolster the public health in our state, and lay the foundation for growth and economic development," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will help local governments make critical upgrades to key infrastructure, like wastewater collection systems, drinking water mains and water storage tanks, helping to protect water quality for New Yorkers for generations to come."   

  

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "In the face of our changing climate and more frequent and severe storms, New York's aging drinking and wastewater systems are being challenged like never before. Governor Hochul understands the fiscal challenges local governments face in making necessary upgrades to water infrastructure and has made supporting their efforts a top priority. Today's announcement of more than $44 million in grants and low-cost financing through New York's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds and the Clean Water infrastructure Act will help local governments implement major infrastructure projects critical to protecting and improving water quality. DEC is proud to partner with the state's Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities across the state to help strengthen New York's water infrastructure systems. The Board of Directors welcomes EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman, as she continues EFC's mission to help communities with critical water infrastructure needs across New York State."  

EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to provide unprecedented support to help communities improve water quality as shown with her recent announcement of providing $400 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvement grants available to local communities. By approving funding to local governments for critical water infrastructure work, the EFC Board of Directors has ensured that communities statewide can cost-effectively undertake important projects that help protect our precious water resources. We are pleased to partner with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, and local governments as we work together to strengthen and modernize New York's aging water infrastructure systems."  

Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "New York's continued commitment to fund drinking water upgrades and other clean water initiatives is making a lasting impact on the health of communities statewide. Water systems are doing the work now to shore up outdated infrastructure that will ensure residents' access to quality drinking water long into the future."   

The Board's approval includes financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.   

The project financings approved at the Oct. 14 meeting include:  

Drinking Water Projects:  

• City of Jamestown in Chautauqua County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant for water main replacement.   
• Village of Canisteo in Steuben County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant and $1,776,800 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• Village of Walton in Delaware County - $1,200,000 WIIA grant and $800,000 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• City of Kingston in Ulster County - $900,000 WIIA grant and $600,000 in short-term, market-rate financing to upgrade transmission and distribution systems.  
• Massapequa Water District in Nassau County - $4,000,400 Intermunicipal Grant to upgrade a distribution system.  

Clean Water Projects:  

• City of Lockport in Niagara County - $531,250 WIIA grant, $2,268,750 short-term interest-free financing, and $1,000,000 short-term market-rate financing for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Village of Addison in Steuben County - $2,914,513 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater system improvements.   
• City of Binghamton in Broome County - $2,740,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the Village of Johnson City.   
• ­Village of Johnson City in Broome County - $2,260,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the City of Binghamton.  
• Village of Boonville in Oneida County - $5,122,500 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $2,457,500 grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Town of Ticonderoga in Essex County - $9,275,936 in long-term, interest-free financing for treatment plant improvements, sanitary sewer separation and stream daylighting.  
• Town of New Windsor in Orange County - $392,188 WIIA grant for sewer rehabilitation.  

The CWSRF and the DWSRF are EFC's core funding programs. With its partner DEC, EFC is responsible for the operation and administration of the CWSRF. The CWSRF allows EFC to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants to support a variety of eligible water quality improvement projects. EFC similarly operates and administers the DWSRF, with its partner DOH, to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants for drinking water infrastructure projects. To learn more about how EFC provides access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance, visit EFC's website at www.efc.ny.gov. 

79 Days and Counting

 

Those weren't cheers and greetings for me in the Bronx Columbus Day Parade Sunday. Those people in the Bronx were outright mean to me Charlene. I bet they would have driven me out of office on railroad tracks as in the old days. We better start packing up everything that is not nailed down.

I also have to worry about that Department of Investigation person whom I put in charge there. Her report makes me appear that I misappropriated funds of over three-hundred thousand dollars. They put Alan Hevisi in jail for less than that. Now you know why I did not want to visit Rikers Island, but it is good that the 'No Cash Bail Law' is in effect, because all I would have to do is sign myself out, an leave the country. There goes my chance at being Governor of New York.

27-Story Residential Building Breaks Ground At 2413 Third Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Rendering of 2413 Third Avenue

RXR Realty recently celebrated the commencement of construction on 2413 Third Avenue, a 27-story residential tower in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Designed by CetraRuddy Architecture, the development will comprise a mix of residences, parking, and ground-floor commercial area. 2413 Third Avenue arrives as RXR Realty’s first entry into the Bronx market.

“As the South Bronx’s population grows, RXR welcomes the opportunity to meet this demand and provide accessible, smartly designed, and amenitized homes,” said Joanne Minieri, senior executive vice president and COO of development and construction at RXR Realty. “RXR is fully committed to working in partnership with the community to increase local hiring and activate the neighborhood through direct investment.”

Groundbreaking ceremony at 2413 Third Avenue

2413 Third Avenue will house 200 rental units including 60 rent-stabilized units for middle-income households. All units are equipped with stainless steel appliances, white oak flooring, matte black iron fixtures, and subway tiling. Amenity spaces will include a fitness center, communal lounge areas, landscaped outdoor space, and a roof terrace with barbecue grills and dining area.

“The building design is rooted in the traditions of the vibrant community of Mott Haven,” said Nancy J. Ruddy and John Cetra of CetraRuddy Architecture. “A bold massing creates a sculpted presence that both engages the sky while opening up to pedestrian activity. Indoor/outdoor connectivity and integration with nature is an important element that helped form the project, creating gardens and varied outdoor spaces.”

The rendering shows a lively modern design incorporating a number of rectangular volumes composed of light colored paneling framing sleek floor-to-ceiling glass. These volumes are assembled together at various angles, and are interspersed by a core of earth-toned brick masonry, creating a striking contrast.

The commercial component will occupy a modest 721 square feet and will be divided into a separate gallery and retail business. The development will also include a parking garage designed to accommodate 81 vehicles with electric vehicle charging stations, a trending amenity among new developments in the New York City area.

This past summer, RXR and Bank of America closed on a $75.2 million construction loan to finance the development. Construction is on track to wrap by the end of 2023.

BRONX YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM HOLDS ANTI-VIOLENCE RALLY IN THE BRONX AFTER RANDOM SHOOTING

Anti-Violence Rally In The Bronx By Bronx YEP Program After Random Shooting 

By Robert Press

The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program held an anti gun/violence rally at the corner of Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street where there was a random shooting last weekend. There has also been an uptick in youth violence in the area. 

The rally included former Councilman Andy King, Pastor J. Gooding of the 47th Pct. Clergy Coalition, Marion 'Tiny' Frampton of 'The Black Spades, Victor Rodriguez, President Bronx YEP, Abigail Maldonado 47th Precinct Explorers, Frank Lewis of 'Guns Down Life Up', who spoke. There were over seventy-five concerned youth and residents who yelled we want to live, then all marched around the corner where the shooting occurred luckily with no injuries. Marchers yelled "we want to take back our corner", and during the march police from the 47th Precinct stopped all traffic. 

Former Councilman Andy King makes sure everyone is in the right place for the press conference.

Pastor J, Gooding would speak first, as Councilman King would hold up an enlarged photo of the random shooting.

YEOP President Victor Rodriguez spoke for the many members of the Bronx YEP of the rise in shootings and youth violence.

Councilman Andy King asked for help in finding the shooter in the photo.

The community Affairs officer from the 47th Precinct would say that the police had no leads on who the shooter was. 

After the speeches it was time to take the cornerback, as about seventy-five people marched around the corner three times while the police stopped traffic on Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street. 

 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 13, 2021

 

63,455 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

32 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"More New Yorkers are taking the vaccines and driving our vaccination rate up, but that's no excuse to get complacent—we need to improve our vaccination rate to defeat this pandemic for good," Governor Hochul said. "We're taking action to keep New York's children, state employees and medical workers safe, but it's the vaccination rate that's ultimately going to determine whether we end the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single eligible New Yorker needs to get vaccinated right away to keep our families, friends and communities safe."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 152,594
• Total Positive - 4,658
• Percent Positive - 3.05%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.53%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,109 (-39)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 272
• Patients in ICU - 464 (-3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 256 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 204,093 (+281)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 32
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,974

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,279

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,032,099
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 63,455
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 396,998
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 74.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 64.6%

Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Large Quantities Of Methamphetamine And Liquid Date Rape Drug

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer JOHN CICERO pled guilty today to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone (known as “GBL”) in Westchester County and New York City.  CICERO pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “A former NYPD police officer once sworn to protect the public, John Cicero now stands convicted of trafficking substantial quantities of methamphetamine and GBL, a liquid date-rape drug, throughout Westchester and New York City.  As he admitted today, over several years, Cicero was a leader of a drug trafficking ring, and he was personally responsible for moving over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL, and importing narcotics from overseas.  Thanks to the dedication of our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cicero now awaits sentencing for his dangerous conduct.”      

According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:

Beginning in at least 2017 and lasting until his arrest in February 2020, CICERO and his co-conspirators stockpiled and sold liters of GBL and kilograms of methamphetamine in apartments, hotel rooms, and storage units in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and a residence in Bronxville, New York.  CICERO repeatedly brokered large-scale narcotics transactions over recorded prison calls with an inmate then in New York State custody.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously seized GBL sent from China to CICERO’s address in New York.  As part of his guilty plea, CICERO stipulated that he was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in the criminal activity, the offense involved the importation of methamphetamine, and his offense conduct involved over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL.  The charged conduct began years after CICERO left the NYPD.

On February 19, 2020, CICERO was arrested in a Wall Street hotel, in a room he had rented under a false identity.  In addition to methamphetamine and GBL, law enforcement recovered from CICERO’s room a bank card and a fake ID, bearing CICERO’s photograph, all in the name of the false identity to whom the room was rented.  As part of CICERO’s arrest, law enforcement also recovered detailed drug ledgers, credit card making equipment, and notebooks full of victims’ personally identifiable information.

CICERO, 39, of Bronxville, New York, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on February 10, 2022.  CICERO pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine and GBL, which carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.  The maximum and mandatory minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives from the FBI, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Westchester County Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, NYPD, and U.S. Probation.  He also thanked the New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into the Death of Simran Gordon

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage from members of the Rochester Police Department that the office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Simran Gordon, who died on October 6, 2021, following an encounter with members of the Rochester Police Department. 

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released two videos from body-worn cameras that responding officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of these videos follows Attorney General James’ directive that some camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

Governor Hochul and Mayor De Blasio Announce Agreement to Transfer Incarcerated Women and Trans Individuals Out of Rikers

 

More than 200 Women and Trans-Identified Incarcerated Individuals to be Transferred from Rikers Island to State Facilities      

Latest Effort Brings Total Number of Rikers Detainees Transferred to State Custody to More than 350  

 Today, to address the ongoing situation on Rikers Island, Governor Kathy Hochul, in partnership with Mayor Bill de Blasio, announced an agreement between the State and City of New York to transfer nearly all of women- and trans-identified individuals currently incarcerated on Rikers Island to two State-run facilities in Bedford Hills, Westchester County, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (Bedford) and the Taconic Correctional Facility (Taconic), both operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). 

This agreement to temporarily transfer approximately 230 individuals into State settings builds on Governor Hochul's recent signature of the Less is More Act, which will prevent unnecessary detentions at Rikers, into law, as well as the Governor's Executive Order that expanded remote hearings for detainees and will ultimately help to reduce the amount of time detainees must spend at Rikers.    

"The situation on Rikers Island is grave and complex, and thus requires bold action from all levels of government to deliver change," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I am especially heartened that the State is able to assist some of the most vulnerable populations on Rikers, and today, I am proud to announce the State's agreement with the City to temporarily move the majority of these populations off Rikers and into safer State facilities, and I thank the City for its partnership on this important step. These actions will further help ease staffing concerns, capacity constraints, and improve safety for several hundred detainees until such time that the City can identify and implement a permanent solution that will bring justice to the situation at Rikers."       

"New York City is committed to forging a fairer, more humane justice system," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I'm proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative, which will provide important relief for the situation on Rikers. Our reform efforts on Rikers Island have made encouraging progress, and our borough-based jails plans are moving forward and will fully transform this system - but there is no substitute for immediate support from our State partners at this critical moment in time."

According to the plan, which is authorized under Section 504 of New York State Correction Law, the New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) will begin to transfer incarcerated individuals to the two facilities starting the week of October 18. The transfers will occur twice per week, starting with 10 to 20 individuals being transferred during each transfer. No current detainees with any pending immigration-related matters will be transferred.     

All the transferees will receive the same services provided to all individuals currently incarcerated at Bedford and Taconic, and the transferees will be integrated into the existing populations at both facilities, with the exception of those who are currently housed in the Special Consideration Unit (SCU) at Rikers; DOCCS will mimic the housing and services conditions at the two facilities for this population.  

Bedford offers academic education, vocational training, transitional services, volunteer services, alcohol and substance use services, including Medicaid Assisted Treatment (MAT), college programming, aggression replacement training, Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health and Recovery (TAMAR) services, gender-informed cognitive behavior programming, and a nursery. The facility has a regional medical unit, and DOCCS and the State Office of Mental Health jointly operate two Residential Mental Health Treatment Units, a therapeutic behavior unit, and an immediate care unit. Taconic offers similar programming opportunities, as well. In addition, any individuals currently receiving hormone replacement therapy at Rikers will continue to receive this treatment at the Westchester facilities. 

Upon arrival at either facility, each detainee will undergo various assessments, including for medical and mental health, as well as academic, vocational, and substance use-related needs. Once each individual's needs are identified, they will see the facility's Program Committee for a program or work assignment. The Committee is comprised of the Chair, who is usually a Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator, other program staff, as well as a representative from each facility's security services.  

DOC will provide daily transportation from New York City to the facilities for family members and loved ones of detainees, beginning Friday, October 22. There will be one pick-up location in The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn each. Buses will pick up visitors from each location twice a day. DOC will announce additional details on its website regarding exact locations and times in the coming week. 

Given the temporary nature of this transfer, Governor Hochul has tasked DOCCS Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci to advise the City on approaches to longer-term solutions. The Commissioner and his team will also liaise with advocates as part of this process, and will continue to support the work of the entire advocacy community in identifying pre-detention alternatives to incarceration. 

Last month, Governor Hochul signed legislation S.1144A/A.5576A, also known as the Less is More Act, into law. This legislation modified the standard of evidence and capped the amount of time an individual can be re-incarcerated, among other procedures to determine whether to revoke the community supervision of a person on parole. The Less is More Act aims to ensure the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision focuses its resources on helping people successfully complete community supervision and avoiding future return to DOCCS custody or supervision. To date, 239 individuals have been released from Rikers as a result of this legislation.    

Governor Hochul previously announced an agreement with the NYS DOCCS and the city to allow for incarcerated individuals who have been sentenced to at least ninety days to be transferred from Rikers Island to New York State facilities. A total of 143 male incarcerated individuals have been transferred from Rikers to New York State facilities.   

The City has taken numerous actions to address the situation on Rikers. The City opened a new intake operation, including two clinics, and has sped up the intake process to ensure swift and proper housing. The City has also expedited the installation of new cell doors to improve safety, brought in extra cleaning services to improve conditions, and expanded programming for people in custody to help engagement and reduce violence. The City has also increased accountability for staff who don't show up for work, created greater oversight over the sick call-in process, and incentivized staff who are working hard through bonus payments and on-Island supports.