CapitalNews9.com

Sunday, March 14, 2010   41º F

Updated 03/28/2008 06:41 AM

Battle over bill for Church Street road work

By: Mark Repasky

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. -- The road work's complete, but the contractor isn't getting paid. And some aldermen are saying the mayor could be jeopardizing state money.

The battle involves a $350,000 payment for work on Church Street. Earlier this month, the common council approved a resolution to pay the bill. But just this week Mayor Ann Thane used the first veto of her administration to put a stop to the payment.

Thane said the veto came after consultation with the city's corporation counsel.

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The previous administration did not put this project out to bid, which is required for a project this big.

The mayor said she was advised to hold off on paying the bill until an engineer can review the work and ensure city leaders got what they paid for.

Since a large portion of the bill is being covered by the state, some aldermen are worried that the delay could put that money at risk.

An override resolution is being put together for next Tuesday's meeting.