Troy · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Troy public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
USDA wildlife management services contract
The mayor would be authorized to contract with the USDA for wildlife management services — likely dealing with problem wildlife around the city.
2025 City Financial Audits
The council would formally accept the Bonadio Group's 2025 audits of the city's finances, including federal and NYSDOT spending — a key transparency check on how city money is handled.
E-moto and electric off-highway motorcycle regulation
Troy's council would back a state bill (S10700) regulating how e-motos and electric off-highway motorcycles are sold — a response to growing concerns about these vehicles on local streets.
Aging city fleet maintenance costs
The city wants another $50,000 for vehicle parts and repairs because the sanitation fleet is old and breaking down more often. The money comes out of Code Enforcement and Recreation-Parks salaries.
Surplus Property Auction Sales
The city is selling off 13 foreclosed properties — from a $10,000 lot on Hill Street to a Highland Avenue two-family that fetched $151,800. New owners bring the parcels back onto the tax rolls and back into use.
Funding repairs for the aging sanitation fleet
The city garage is burning through parts and repair labor because the sanitation trucks are old. Ordinance 47 would shift $50,000 from salary lines to cover vehicle parts and repairs.
New playground equipment for city parks
The council unanimously OK'd a contract with Landscape Structures, Inc. to supply and install playground features, bought through a cooperative Sourcewell contract. Kids and families using city parks benefit directly.
Expansion of The Elliott at Troy Assisted Living Facility
The Elliott at Troy presented plans for a major renovation and four-story addition to expand bed capacity and modernize residential care facilities.
Waste Management
Troy is hosting drop-off events to help residents safely get rid of dangerous chemicals, old paint, and other toxic garage clutter. It's a quick, easy way to clear out hazardous materials without harming the environment.
Recycling Guidelines
Troy just dropped a brand-new recycling guide to help us figure out what actually belongs in the green bin. Take a quick look so you don't accidentally ruin a whole batch of recycling with the wrong stuff.
Joint RFP for Professional Accounting Services
The IDA, LDC, and CRC are planning to issue a joint request for proposals for accounting and CFO services to begin in 2027.
Planning Board Oversight
Troy's Planning Commission is reviewing site designs to keep traffic moving and protect local green spaces. They're basically calling the shots on how your neighborhood grows and looks.
Media Alliance Community Center Conversion
Media Alliance plans to turn an old carriage house on Sixth Avenue into an environmental and arts community center with gardens and a teaching kitchen. Neighbors shared feedback during the public comment period.
Eligible lists for Fire Lieutenant, Appraisal Aide, and Equipment Repair Supervisor
The commission was scheduled to establish four-year hiring lists for Fire Lieutenant, Real Property Appraisal Aide, and Supervisor of Equipment Repair. These lists determine who can be hired or promoted into those roles.
New municipal and partner-agency positions
The commission was scheduled to consider creating several new positions — a Deputy Corporation Counsel, a school district Computer Network Engineer, a Deputy Comptroller, a Housing Maintenance Supervisor, and a library Custodian. These shape staffing for city legal, finance, housing, and library services.
Bulk Trash Drop-off
Troy is hosting a free bulk trash drop-off event at the Alamo, giving residents an easy way to clear out their garages without paying local dump fees. It's a quick fix if you've got oversized junk piling up at home.
Auto Body Shop Storage Garage at 3113 Seventh Ave
Troy's Best Auto Body Shop is building a large metal storage garage to keep customer cars safe from neighborhood vandalism and theft. The board approved it on the condition that vehicles aren't left outside long-term.
Temporary Firefighter Positions
The city established three temporary firefighter positions to support staffing needs within the public safety unit.
Ethics Commission
Troy has an ethics commission keeping an eye on City Hall to make sure things are on the up-and-up and to help rebuild your trust in local government. Basically, it's a watchdog making sure nobody's abusing their power.
Street Closure Permit Confusion and Consistency
A local property owner detailed confusing and contradictory instructions from multiple city departments when trying to close a street briefly for building repairs.
Bulk Trash Collection
Leaving old couches or bulky items on the curb in Troy without scheduling a pickup first is going to cost you, so make sure to book your collection ahead of time to avoid getting fined.
Housing Grants and Loans
Thinking about buying or fixing up a house in Troy? The city has various programs, grants, and loans available to help you cover the costs.
Police Department Technology and Grant Funding
The council accepted state grants to fund anti-violence programs, investigative tools like the CLEAR database, and downtown security camera upgrades.
Website ADA Compliance and Digital Accessibility
City staff outlined plans and costs to update the municipal website and documents to meet federal ADA web accessibility requirements.
Trash Pickup
Troy is offering a free bulk trash pickup service so residents can easily get rid of old furniture and accumulated junk at no cost. It's a great opportunity to clear out your space without paying extra fees.
NY Forward Grant Consultant Services
The city is getting a head start on applying for a NY Forward grant by planning to hire an outside consultant to craft a competitive application. The board ensured that the city will own all the data and reports produced by the consultant.
Parking Permits
Commuters and downtown visitors in Troy can now purchase monthly parking permits for city lots and garages for just $75. It's a handy fix if you're tired of hunting for a spot every day.
Anti-panhandling Signs
Troy's mayor is defending the city's new anti-panhandling signs after a state review, keeping the debate alive over where free speech ends and public safety begins. Expect more clashes as the city tries to figure out how to handle homelessness.
Turkey Trot Event Management Contract
The city debated the contract for managing the famous Troy Turkey Trot, ultimately choosing a one-year agreement with ARE Event Productions while expressing interest in future competitive bidding.
Sidewalk and Multi-Use Path Standards
The council updated city codes to allow alternative materials for shared paths and bring sidewalk regulations in line with modern ADA and engineering standards.
Unity House Patio and Kitchen Expansion
Unity House is adjusting lot lines and adding an outdoor patio and cooler to support its teaching kitchen on Earl Street.
IDA Financial Position and Overdue Accounts
The board reviewed monthly financials showing a slight deficit and discussed efforts to improve PILOT collection and billing tracking.
Police Fleet Replacement
The city approved purchasing two patrol and five detective vehicles to replace aging, high-mileage police cars.
Mayoral Election
Troy's mayoral race is heating up as a former county executive candidate considers entering the fray. This could shake up local politics and change the direction of city leadership.
Sewer Rehabilitation
Troy is starting a big sewer upgrade on Campbell Ave, so expect some annoying traffic delays if that's part of your daily drive. Keep an eye out for construction updates to plan your commute better.
Surveillance Technology
Troy's recent rollout of automated license plate readers completely blew up, causing massive drama and forcing the city into a state of emergency. It's a prime example of how messy tech upgrades can get when local leaders rush things without proper community buy-in.
Troy Community Land Bank Annual Report
Executives from the Troy Community Land Bank presented their annual report, highlighting neighborhood stabilization, affordable housing completions, and the launch of a new $500,000 owner-occupied home repair program.
Waste Management Fee
Heads up, Troy residents—your annual trash collection fee bill is arriving in the mail, so it's time to check what you'll be paying for city waste services this year. Make sure to review your statements promptly to avoid any surprises or missed payments.
Residential Conversion and Parking Concerns at Mt. St. Mary's Ave
A proposal to convert a single-family home into a two-family dwelling at 1800 Mt. St. Mary's Ave was tabled after questions arose regarding gross floor area calculations and neighborhood parking.
Redburn Development Project at 7th Avenue
Redburn proposed building 12 townhomes where a football field is currently located, removing that parcel from the PILOT to return it to the tax rolls.
New Infill Residential Development at 811 River St
Developers want to build a $500,000 single-family home on an empty lot, but the board had to pause the project to fix paperwork issues.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Residency Compliance at 31 Christie St
The board paused an accessory dwelling unit project because the owner could not prove he actually lives at the property, which is required by city zoning rules.
Geothermal Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Energy Catalyst Technologies received final approval to expand its 113th Street facility by 10,000 square feet, supporting local manufacturing and clean tech jobs.
Madison Avenue Townhouse Subdivision and Variances
Floyd Blake received approval to subdivide two lots into four at 1016 Madison Avenue for two duplex buildings to be sold as individual townhouses. The board granted variances for lot width, side setbacks, and ground floor area.
Tenant Rights
Troy's mayor is pushing for new rules to crack down on bad landlords and give renters better protections. If you rent in the city, this could mean safer, higher-quality living conditions and more leverage against shady housing practices.
Municipal Hiring
Troy's mayor just appointed a new leader for the Department of Public Utilities. This person will oversee the city's essential water and sewer systems.
Police Tactical Team Mutual Aid Agreement
The council renewed an agreement with the Town of Colonie allowing police tactical teams to assist each other across municipal borders. The discussion highlighted local tactical operations, community concerns over heavy-handed police tactics, and recent high-profile raids.
Climate, Sustainability, and Urban Forestry
Representatives from the Sustainability Task Force and local advocates urged the city to support clean energy grants, achieve bronze climate-smart certification, protect street trees, and expand green spaces.
Downtown Revitalization
Troy is pouring money into downtown upgrades to make the city center a more vibrant place to hang out and shop. These local investments are already sprucing up the area and bringing new energy to our streets.
Historic District
Troy's Central Lansingburgh Historic District has new preservation rules that might affect your neighborhood if you live nearby. It's basically a heads-up to check local guidelines before you start any major home renovations.