By MICHAEL ANICH
The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN – The Common Council voted Tuesday to publicly advertise seeking bids to sell 53 city-owned properties.
The properties are mostly vacant residential and commercial parcels, and interested people can contact the city for a list of properties available. Thirteen of the parcels are on Linden Avenue, but many more are spread across the city.
The council resolution approved Tuesday stated, “The city is desirous of selling said properties and returning them to the tax rolls in a manner which will promote the highest and best use.”
Officials voted to advertise in The Leader-Herald for sealed written bids. Proposals will be opened at 10 a.m. March 11 at City Hall.
In other business, the council approved a request by James and Erin Gavin, who reside at 3360 Route 29 and also own property located at 170 Wemple Road, both in the town of Johnstown. The couple requested city water for both properties.
The council authorized that eight of the city’s obsolete, old lever-style voting machines be scrapped. Several years ago, the Fulton County Board of Elections converted to electronic scan voting machines, rendering lever voting machines obsolete.
“Maybe we should hang on to one as an artifact,” said 3rd Ward Councilwoman Helen Martin.
The council also voted to scrap a valueless city Police Department 2007 Chevy Impala that was once a patrol car and later used only for parts,
Mayor Michael Julius appointed the following persons to the city’s Committee for Promoting Tourism, effective immediately: Martin, Leslie Foss, Noel Levee, Scott Jeffers, Wade Wells, Bernadette Weaver, Cathy VanAlstyne, Linda Hinkle, James Dempsey Jr., Dale Webb, and John Murray.
The council acted to remove Bank of America, and add Berkshire Bank, to the official designated banks list for deposit of city funds through Dec. 31.
Julius authorized an assessment support agreement for Tina Dimitriadis of Watervliet, Albany County, at an annual salary $12,000. She will serve as city assessor through Sept. 30, 2019.
