Asbestos removal accounts for the majority of a city hall renovation project's budget

Asbestos removal accounts for the majority of Utica city hall renovation project's budget

Utica, NY – The majority of the budget for a renovation project at City Hall has been set aside for asbestos removal.

City Hall is planned to undergo a $36,000 renovation project for a six-office suite, which includes the Mayor’s Office. According to city officials, about 52 percent, or $19,000, has been budgeted for asbestos abatement. Midlantic Environmental has been awarded the contract to perform the asbestos abatement.

The rest of the money will be used to put in new carpet, paint, and lighting along with several other upgrades.

Mayor David Roefaro the cost of the project was accounted for in the current year’s fiscal budget and that Utica taxpayers may see a tax increase. However, not all of the cost will come from taxpayer dollars. About $21,000 was carried over from leftover funds in the City Hall repair budget.

Mayor Roefaro says the project’s expense is justified because the office is in desperate need of a professional image. Former mayors agree with his decision. Tim Julian, 2000-2007, had also planned to make similar renovations to the office had he been reelected to office. Louis LaPolla, 1983-1995, said that every mayor should have an office that they feel comfortable with.

Not everyone agrees with the upgrades to the mayor’s office. Town resident Gary Brown said he would rather see the money be spent to hire more code enforcement officers who would help make sure that areas in the city were cleaned up. He thought that priority should be placed on issues such as crime, gang activity, vandalism and drugs instead of the aesthetics of an office.

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