Date of vote on the 'road food regime' generates controversy in Belém
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BETHLEHEM — The city council will make a decision next week when it holds an election for the Delaware Avenue reconstruction venture.
The hotly debated issue comes after nearly 1,500 Bethlehem residents signed a petition for a citizens' referendum, which forces the city to take the unusual step of asking voters to directly approve bond financing for a $ 5 dual-track mission. .2 million along Delaware Avenue that became authorized through council in April. The city is applying for state and federal bids that could reimburse the city for many of the assignment fees.
According to state law, the referendum vote must take place in the single election type between August 10th and 25th. But some council members are pushing for the vote to take place on Nov. 2, an election day, arguing it could allow for greater voter turnout and keep the city at an estimated cost of $$10,000 to hold a special election.
“My view is that because we are going to have a referendum, we are going to do it at a time when we can open it up to probably the majority of voters.”, pointed out city supervisor David VanLuven.
Ultimately, at the week-long council meeting, municipal legal professional James Potter spoke about how, based on state law, voting should last between ninety to one hundred days from when the petition moved to submitted, which could be in August. Although, Potter noted that city code allows the council to rescind its April vote authorizing the development, readopt the matter and vote once again by the conclusion of July so that the referendum vote can be held in November.
Every contributor on the city council seemed intent on postponing the referendum until November, except Jim Foster, the only Republican.
Foster is known as the Potter recommendation, which is based on state and local law, “procedural gymnastics” trying "to stay away" of the state statute during the meeting. While Foster said the legality of the concept is a priority of his, he also said he believes August would be a more robust time to hold the specific election to avoid voter confusion.
VanLuven said Foster's comment turned into a kind of local voter suppression.
“In fact, I have more confidence in the people who vote in our city”, said VanLuven.
The board will vote whether or not to rescind the April vote at next week's meeting.
The concept, widespread because Delaware Avenue completed the Streets project, has been generating controversy in the city for months – although it was proposed in 2016.
The plan would reduce a busy 1.2-mile stretch of Delaware Avenue that connects the village of Delmar to Albany from four lanes to two as part of what is known as “road power plan”, designed to reduce accidents and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by freeing up area for turning lanes, cycle lanes and more crosswalks.
Supporters of the development also say creating an extra pedestrian-friendly environment will encourage extra agencies to open there.
Opponents of the task say it will create more traffic and harm groups because of road closures throughout construction.
