Niagara Falls, N.Y., in state of emergency over roads and abandoned homes
· Toronto Sun
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Apparently, crumbling roads and abandoned homes are considered emergencies in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
That is, according to Rob Restaino, the city’s mayor, who said deteriorating roads and abandoned properties posed enough of a safety and health risk to declare a state of emergency.
The state of emergency is now in its third week. Restaino is blaming Niagara Falls city council for the emergency declaration, stating its failure to approve funding to fix the issues prompted him to call it, WGRZ reported.
Restaino said the declaration allows the city to deliver services it needs.
City failed to approve contracts
The state of emergency call was made by Restaino on July 20. He said the city’s crumbling infrastructure is not a new issue and that city council failed to approve contracts before its August recess prompted the action.
“It’s really a function of them not voting to allow these contractors to come in and do additional services for residents, and we needed to do something,” Restaino told Buffalo Toronto Public Media . “The state executive law affords us the opportunity, in certain circumstances, to do it, and that’s what precipitated it.”
What does the declaration do?
The ayor said the emergency declaration allows City Hall to move forward with the contracts under state executive law, which doesn’t need the normal council approval process.
Restaino said there was “no particular strategic timeline” in announcing the declaration to the public. He said city officials were working through steps they thought were required under state law. That included filing emergency orders and putting grass mowing and paving contracts in place.
As part of the process, the county manager and governor’s officer were also contacted.
Restaino noted “a couple of council members” were notified during the period, stating he wanted the administration wanted emergency orders, contracts and communication with the lowest responsible bidders in place before announcing what’s been done, per BTPM.
What happens after declaration?
Once an emergency declaration is made, under New York Executive Law , a proclamation of a local state of emergency and any local emergency orders must be filed within 72 hours, with the city clerk, county clerk, secretary of state and state Office of Emergency Management, per BTPM. The law also requires emergency orders to be published as soon as possible in newspapers and broadcast to radio and television media.
Restaino said the initial emergency declaration lasts 30 days and could be extended. The mayor said grass-cutting work is underway and city administration will see whether an extension is necessary as work progresses.