Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Albany County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in water utilities with high priority
Albany County broadband infrastructure project
State grant money would flow to Archtop Fiber and State-Tel to build out broadband infrastructure across Albany County.
Water Purification District capital plan
North Albany and Menands residents have been dealing with odors tied to a failed sludge mixing system at the North plant. The long-term fix — a new large-bubble mixing system — is targeted for 2027, with the broader incinerator and dewatering upgrades running through early 2029. Officials announced a new odor-control study starting within weeks and said a chemical pilot failed last year, leaving limited short-term options.
Water purification district high-voltage electrical upgrades
The north water plant has a failed switchgear and no backup, so the county is fast-tracking an $850,000 engineering contract with total construction estimated at $27-28 million. Equipment lead times run two years, and financing is being pursued through a $25 million EFC grant.