[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98,110],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6152809,"mediaKeyId","5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274","parentId",5495998,"title","Council approves water-sewer budget adjustment and funding for sewer-vac truck repairs","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",2508000,"endMs",2656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274&start=2508&end=2656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274/thumbnail_2508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6152809/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-approves-water-sewer-budget-adjustment-and-funding-for-sewer-vac-truck-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152809-5efbea611fe65cacc461505f734ae3e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770011330&Signature=lQXI9zn6XXETINfIcbiJjvRK3~Z3l4cJBy7gfp0Vxl8B1zvt4sQNn2NsdmRHz1bwCeix94h3CbyLWbM1j2A-ptFY10onFKSql0DybiOBbCigiR1BQdG~1qlNNEsnQf042YmZPdjAHgOyNHPmGtYK4~nucD0QeAl-wX4-yGihOzGeDDQUkCixBTNEwmkWWZPRSknccSp9sOC6UWRww15znGj4L5VGrwTmgKPC8mf-Pvw3CncggRK4p45iDDGglO4jCrcGv-X5ZxRFzczi2YP~bGjzM6Ao14aYXWRs4N5H4AW224Mp3gMbIoR7n7BcTSHDHZWOwMP-dO3Q50A9BE3pcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Binghamton","date","2025-07-17T11:03:12Z","article","The City Council on Wednesday approved two utility-related measures: Ordinance 25-47, an amendment to the 2025 water-sewer budget to cover additional work responsibilities tied to the acting water-sewer superintendent, and Ordinance 25-48, a transfer within the sewer fund to pay for repairs to the sewer vacuum truck.
Nut graf: Both items passed unanimously and address immediate operational needs in the water and sewer department — an internal budget adjustment for staffing responsibilities and a one-time repair to a critical piece of equipment funded from sewer-fund interest proceeds.
Details and votes: Council member Murray moved the budget amendment (Ordinance 25-47) to cover additional work expenses arising from the absence of a permanent water-sewer superintendent; the measure passed 7–0. Council member Kavanaugh moved Ordinance 25-48 to authorize a transfer within the sewer fund to pay for repair (not replacement) of the sewer vac truck; the council recorded a unanimous 7–0 vote. Planning and finance remarks at the meeting noted the sewer-vac truck repair is being paid in part from interest earned on funds received from a prior sewer settlement.
Why it matters: Council members described the sewer vac truck as a critical operational vehicle whose repair is necessary to maintain sewer maintenance operations. The budget amendment temporarily covers additional work assignments while the superintendent role is vacant.
Ending: Both ordinances were adopted unanimously. Staff will proceed with the repairs and administrative adjustments under the amended sewer/water budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Meeting 2025.07.16","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously amended the 2025 water-sewer budget to cover additional responsibilities of an acting superintendent and approved transfers to pay for critical repairs to the sewer vacuum truck, funded from sewer fund interest from a prior settlement.","taxTitle","Binghamton City, Broome County, New York","taxId",5034,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6152814,"Resident asks Binghamton council to enforce rules after lawn clippings left in street",149,344000,493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274&start=344&end=493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274/thumbnail_344000.jpg","/articles/6152814/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Resident-asks-Binghamton-council-to-enforce-rules-after-lawn-clippings-left-in-street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152814-abbe3b9745febe4f235bd796ff2a6abe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770011330&Signature=KMk-ijV7cH-WCPnOB6c3Nirqmo7HWgOH3Z3Y0Nj06Qq9KPWv0xCi~4y61Ux6Lf~8AFR-xfmdzSGYj5mpSFLvS8hRioazf569pdbb5ml9DNw7B6fdp8Ty5Lnk71UPhqjzmaPlFAzX3DlHGzC2bxojmJQTejC0mewYCh-RmELFlc-d1pXQ8YAS02aNToaeLE2~6BuuI8r9s9Li2filQUExr0ehwC7roFak6CHpJGSa7AU~9A2RHXLb8VTsGhPmIP3HHcdFLI5nE-yFFidDgCmyTDcmdHlHi6Xd75wDG-eDcOUdylGEfBjwp3p49enA0e5HH~rUGZ3WWXzYYHy1h9dbjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 16 Binghamton City Council meeting, resident Patricia Gazdegrees told the council she has observed neighbors using riding mowers that blow grass clippings into the middle of streets, leaving slick, stagnant debris that she said creates hazards for children on scooters and people walking in the neighborhood.
Nut graf: Gazdegrees said she contacted her council representative and city code enforcement without resolution and asked the council to advise what enforcement authority exists to prevent yard waste and grass clippings from being deposited in public roadways.
What she said: Gazdegrees identified her address as 61 Kenilworth Road and described herself as affiliated with Binghamton Schools (she said she works as a director and former liaison and teaches courses). She told the council she recently returned to live in the city full time and is seeking guidance because code staff had told her there was nothing they could do. Gazdegrees also asked the council to follow up; she said she had spoken to several council members and another city contact who said they would look into it.
What the council recorded: The council acknowledged the comment and asked staff to follow up; no formal action or ordinance was introduced at the meeting regarding leaf or grass-clipping enforcement. The transcript shows Gazdegrees described prior conversations with her council representative and others but did not identify a specific code citation that would apply.
Ending: Gazdegrees urged the council to investigate and provide a response. The record does not show a subsequent formal council referral or staff report scheduled at the meeting; follow-up will depend on staff or specific member action after the public comment period.","A lifelong Binghamton resident urged the council to address neighborhood lawn clippings and yard debris being blown into streets, which she said creates slippery, smelly conditions and hazards for pedestrians and children; she said city code enforcement told her there was nothing they could do and asked for follow-up.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6152818,"Council endorses Ross Park Zoo grant applications for historic-preservation funding",85,2663000,2748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274&start=2663&end=2748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6152818/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-endorses-Ross-Park-Zoo-grant-applications-for-historic-preservation-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152818-921c9f3dfbafef2ac6a5aa1153de57c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770011330&Signature=MOECFjT4Q79Pu3VKCDLwtqoXU9fuApuNPbTK6TwF5hsM1QiibEWG5zFZYy6YqnWgxZhjLbaFYZF8A3PUyN8iMSy2qKihQtCDHXP9w60Vv7VViRzUgmcD6jU8DnqQfloXtfz6SAgiI0nm1BGoEdC-Du5sasBLIHSIMu8c8kvAcxFctkcibALK5XMZDzEfZ5am0q56ZNqAn1vukq15ujI1E~Hdo1p0j1sQB6lPXJs8GJ5l4mqKs~MFlVvfIXBs6zSpKzAJgc6s6OmpdXvJrY14LszVaCgnUfiyPo60uKxneejMXPR3vCCZsJG1lzBp~hCZXpUWLimbU4DWlV7f7LnUjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Binghamton City Council voted 7–0 on Wednesday to approve Resolution 25-44, a formal endorsement supporting Ross Park Zoo’s application to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) for historic-preservation funding.
Nut graf: Zoo representatives sought the council’s endorsement as part of grant submission requirements. Council members said the grant would help necessary repairs at the zoo and that the city’s endorsement was one piece of a multi-letter support package needed for the application.
Council action and details: Council member Middleton moved the resolution and members discussed that Ross Park Zoo is seeking OPRHP support and additional regional endorsements through local partners. No dollar amount for the application was reported in council remarks. The council voted unanimously to provide the letter of support and requested that the city supply the endorsement promptly so the zoo could meet grant deadlines.
Ending: Resolution 25-44 passed 7–0 and the city will provide the requested endorsement to accompany Ross Park Zoo’s grant application to OPRHP.","By unanimous vote the council authorized a letter of support for Ross Park Zoo’s application to the state historic-preservation grant program (OPRHP) and agreed to provide supporting endorsements required by the grant process.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6152823,"Council accepts two DEC urban forestry grants totaling $58,333",135,2810000,2945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274&start=2810&end=2945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274/thumbnail_2810000.jpg","/articles/6152823/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-accepts-two-DEC-urban-forestry-grants-totaling-58333","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152823-5e174d16e34e13adb91fb1feefcf94f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770011330&Signature=TuUbPTbx9t1~qsgtCuTlgPHK3dVEhu9rBPRfLTxj3koVMNJ2C3U6VffET0zeX~qOSEZUDL4iXCJYfvMaU3SJk5LfGButZLd~9JQOQ4yxHLLWwta~7ed-291l5fHBPLZKuaELuiw88LVekASvanec9KJ-ZsRlCxdxYCieGJdUovSMOID0GPPmf5deJWxeaIsazvZzpwLQ42dl74MB9kwDxpbmd75mDeFTkfuyRmKtkqnUwig5iP0jj5WliGJCv1XIo5QV5b15oXjSinpzfItYe8g9xCmrf5soibG7ExtnJZDtet6OATyAGqgoDpG26H2YrFqP69ONT4D5DBCdFpoSIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-45 and Resolution 25-46 on Wednesday to accept two urban and community forestry grants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, one for $33,333 and a second for $25,000.
Nut graf: The grants were awarded after an application process and build on prior planning with the city's Shade Tree Commission; council members said they expect the funds to support tree planting, court and park site improvements and related community forestry efforts.
Council action and context: Council member Rathmell presented the two resolutions and noted they follow work with the Shade Tree Commission. The council voted 7–0 on both resolutions. Planning staff and committee members discussed continued Shade Tree Commission involvement in implementation planning.
Why it matters: The grants provide state funding to expand urban canopy work, which council members said could include planning, planting and site-specific improvements in city parks and public spaces. One council member said the Shade Tree Commission hopes to stay engaged as the projects are scoped and implemented.
Ending: Both resolutions passed unanimously. City staff will proceed to accept the grants and follow DEC grant requirements for project reporting and implementation.","The council unanimously authorized acceptance of two New York State DEC urban and community forestry grants — $33,333 and $25,000 — to support local tree-planting and shade projects that grew from work with the Shade Tree Commission.",{"_32":111,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":112,"_40":113,"_42":114,"_44":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6152828,"Binghamton council rejects 20-year Siemens energy contract after months of debate",2064,532000,2596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274&start=532&end=2596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5495998-5d31bbe9aacf753892f7c008f5b91274/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6152828/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Binghamton-council-rejects-20-year-Siemens-energy-contract-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152828-c2918a5bd62623c08c196d4b0bb26068/orig.mp4?Expires=1770011330&Signature=bJjVjQLuOFa0ZwXDeI1JRk6fDGGzh2Db5aGvujDU8-TThboSjh2yE6hQmwODbK8JjOh4bMXqQBPgQevS8BButM0X28J78QwJAPIyK9RvIvEpkYhG8k0Y57mlgF6Y2lBgmOl4gw1CafLpdV7zp8iQM~7K21MexerDH~4Gpz1cwcGJrCZhYaw5Hge~w6dEi14cWtctt-E0o8ctozMshCXf~a1RKaNRBV8OBQfx2oCWPpdWdwgmme28xTayZizq7C-scBea6t1lkdWqZxDq5SpsneR~4bU3lVRG1bVDAp9fUzSbqdGSKFC5E3jr3mLdAzLsM2irDISGXqKc-8g9bn0IAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members voted 2–5 on Wednesday to reject Ordinance 25-40, an agreement that would have authorized a long-term energy performance contract and financing arrangement with Siemens Industry that included lighting and HVAC upgrades, window solar film, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Nut graf: The ordinance prompted a lengthy public and council discussion over months about whether the city should accept a bundled lease-financing package from Siemens, rebid portions of the work, or perform some upgrades in-house. Proponents said the contract captured available federal and state incentives and included a performance guarantee; opponents criticized the length and cost of the lease, potential weakened bidder protections for the 2023 procurement and cited a separate, ongoing investigation in Rensselaer County involving Siemens contracts as a reason for caution.
Council discussion and rationale: Council members who opposed the ordinance spoke against locking the city into a 20-year lease and questioned portions of the cost-benefit analysis. Several members raised that the city could realize a large share of the projected savings from programmable thermostats and LED lighting through in-house work or local competitive bidding, rather than a single vendor contract. Members also expressed concern about the structure of the financing, noting that the lease schedule defers principal reduction for many years and that the city’s new “lowest responsible bidder” protections did not apply to a solicitation procured in 2023.
Supporters said the contract packaged multiple upgrades—including vehicle-charging infrastructure—so the city could capture time-limited federal and state incentives and available financing. They said Siemens provided a performance guarantee linking projected energy-cost savings to the lease payments and that rebidding or a piecemeal in-house approach risked losing grant or tax-credit funding for electric vehicle chargers. The city’s director of planning and legal counsel answered questions about the prior bid process and safeguards; planning staff said Siemens had been the low bidder when the work was procured and that the company performed the initial facility analysis used to size the project.
Vote and formal action: The council held a roll-call vote that resulted in two votes in favor and five against; the motion to adopt Ordinance 25-40 failed. Recorded votes were: Council member Madovetsky — aye; Council member Kavanaugh — aye; Council member Rathmell — no; Council member Hotchkiss — no; Council member Middleton — no; Council member Murray — no; Council President Dunton — no.
Context and next steps: Council members debated whether to rebid the project, to separate the EV charger work from lighting and HVAC upgrades, or to pursue bonding later if financing conditions improved. Some members urged the city to evaluate internal maintenance capacity and possible phased or local-bid approaches; others argued rebidding would delay access to diminishing external funds for EV infrastructure. No new formal direction to staff was recorded at the meeting to restart procurement; the ordinance was not adopted.
Ending: The defeat leaves the city without the Siemens package as presented. Council members said they may revisit energy-efficiency projects and EV infrastructure through other procurement approaches or future proposals, and stressed that capture of expiring incentives will depend on whichever path the council chooses next.","The City Council voted 2–5 to reject an ordinance that would have authorized a 20-year energy performance and equipment lease with Siemens Industry, with members citing cost, contracting process and local capacity concerns; members said federal EV funding timing and guaranteed savings were central to the debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves water-sewer budget adjustment and funding for sewer-vac truck repairs

Resident asks Binghamton council to enforce rules after lawn clippings left in street

Council endorses Ross Park Zoo grant applications for historic-preservation funding

Council accepts two DEC urban forestry grants totaling $58,333

Binghamton council rejects 20-year Siemens energy contract after months of debate