Carl Williams

The Schenectady City Council's vote to override the New York State tax cap and raise property tax rates by 15% failed after three council members refused to back a tax hike above 13%.

The measure allows three-quarters of the Schenectady City Council to eject members who are absent for more than three months. It was proposed the legislation after Councilmember Carmel Patrick suffered a stroke and spent seven months away.

Schenectady's new procedure for removing absentee City Council members comes after Councilmember Carmel Patrick suffered a stroke and took a 7-month leave of absence.

Ten Schenectady residents voiced concerns about the budget as Mayor Gary McCarthy proposes a 42% tax increase to bridge an approximately $15 million budget.

Carl Williams is the third person to announce a bid for Schenectady mayor. Incumbent Mayor Gary McCarthy has not made a decision on whether he will run.

Changes made earlier this year to the Electric City’s garbage pickup service could be temporarily suspended. Trash collection could be the first contentious issue the new council faces in January.

Tension over allegations against a city councilor came to a boiling point in Schenectady this week.