All builders by law have to pay a $3,000.00 for
water hookup fee per each new single residential unit then $2,000.00 for every
additional unit.
I reported many months ago that developer Sonny
Bonacio had gotten away without paying hookup fees of at least $854,000.00 that
Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco waived. The Commissioner also waived fees in the
amount of $35,000.00 to Gordon Companies of Albany at Seward & Morgan
Streets in 2012 and Saratoga attorney James Doyle had fees of $9,000.00 waived
at homes on Adams & Jackson streets.
The amount so far is $898,000.00, that’s right $2,000.00 short of $1
million dollars taken away from citizens on just these 3 projects. While this was reported in the Times Union
today, this may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Records also show that Bonacio, B&B Plumbing (owned by Bonacio and
Billy Benton) and Doyle contributed money to Sirocco’s campaigns.
The reasoning Scirocco gave of waiving the fees was that
DPW can subtract costs for water hookups if developers install 12” water pipes
in right of ways but it is noted that none of the waivers approved by Sirocco
for these projects included installation of said 12” water pipes. Scirocco also said that he alone can grant a
waiver but the city ordinance states that the Council has to approve waivers of
this type. Scirocco also stated that the
developers were granted waivers because they spent money to update the water
infrastructure, which William McTygue a city resident, former Director of
Public Works and a candidate who ran against Sirocco in the last election makes
a valid point as far as I am concerned, stating that developers shouldn’t be rewarded
with waivers for improvements because in some cases they would have to make
them anyways for their projects to be approved.
After the waivers were granted by Scirocco, Tim
Wales the City Engineer (who reports to Scirocco) sent Bonacio a letter which
informed the developer that the free connections for the Weibel Avenue and
Railroad were awarded mistakenly As there is no provision in the law that the
Commissioner alone can make this decision and that he (Wales) asked Bonacio to
pay the fees, which he has refused to do.
Now Scirocco wants to change the law in the Charter
giving him sole discretion to waive fees without Council approval. McTygue has asked for an audit to be
conducted by Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan and also an outside audit
of the waiver reductions. Madigan said
she did a limited review but now she is thinking of doing a more defined audit
if necessary. She also said “that would
mean a larger scope and I would go much further back in time as well”
This story smelled funny when I reported it many
months ago and it smells worse now. It
seems we have a Commissioner who doesn’t know how or doesn’t care what is in
the best interest of the taxpayers.
I would suggest any developer to start your engines
now and ask for a waiver before something changes.
How many law suits have the McTyuge;s lost? How many has Scirocco? Scirocco none
ReplyDeleteOnly because Scirocco's lawsuits (more than one) have not yet been scheduled on the Federal Court calendar. He has TWO lawsuit filed by the same female DPW supervisor!!! Discrimination & Retaliation. Scirocco's in deep shit!
ReplyDeletePS Love how you ALWAYS compare Scirocco's problems with McTygue. Can't your father get over it?
Should b a very interesting council mtg. tonight. Let's all count how many "You Know's" from Scirocco's mouth tonight. "One thing I DO know, is Scirocco DON'T know what the hell he's talking about.
ReplyDeleteJust finished listening to Skippy's agenda @ council mtg. No surprises, it's the McTygue's fault! One question Skippy, did the McTygue's write that letter to Sonny stating the "MISTAKE" made by Stan Borden??? Like it or not Scirocco, YOU have to answer those and many more questions during the Mayor's investigation. "You Know"!
ReplyDeleteSad, Skip is using the same speech writer that wrote the "Speak Out" piece in the Saratogian where he answered Pat Designs criticism by replying that it was Design's fault for everything and used his name at least 20 times. Now at last night's Council he reads a statement that was written by the same speech writer only using Bill McTygue's name about the same number of times. Skip, it’s about time you have Donna buckle down and do some work instead of writing your statements. Also Skip, most of the upgrades the developers did was a result of doing them to get the permits approved for the projects. Let the investigations begin.
DeleteThe city has always given developers, that have something the powers that be want or need, big breaks. Just look at the building sector in Saratoga. Some builders and/or owners are required to get permits and certificate of occupancies, other can do what ever they want.
ReplyDeleteThe city engineer Tim Whales set up Scirocco through Stan Borden, just like Mctygue was set up with the dumping of raw sewage in the compost. If you are a politician and you abuse the city workers they will have their day. It is time for Scirocco and McTygue to both go away, and get some new blood in DPW.
ReplyDeleteIf I was Stan Borden I'd be chirping like a bird. Same Scirocco MO, I had no idea my employee Stan Borden gave $810,000 break to Sonny. I also believe both Sonny & Bill Benton should start chirping. It's my understanding that Scirocco, Buckle & Madigan have been searching & searching thru all kinds of records from the McTygue's era. Go figure?
ReplyDeleteMadigan can't even get the property taxes right ,How does anyone expect her to do an audit when she doesn't even know how to do her regular job..
ReplyDeleteProperty taxes have been pretty stable.
DeleteCap,who's wearing the wire in dpw?
ReplyDeleteHell if Borden plays his cards right he could be the next city engineer,it's a proven fact that scirocco rewards people who cover for him,to bad nobody down there is wearing a wire or maybe somebody is or was........have a nice day dpw!
Skippy, how did Stan take the news he received after returning from vacation that YOU threw him under the bus? I understand he was promised by you that he'd keep his job, not to worry but Stan isn't buying any promise from you or Buckley. YOU were the one forcing Stan to sign the wavers & there were OTHER people in that meeting & are willing to testify to this. No one's going to take the fall for you.
ReplyDeleteI was in city hall on Mon. & the dpw office was having a laugh fest regarding this developing news. Skippy thinks it's all a joke. Skippy, this ISN'T a joke, your ass is grass. If I were you, I'd consider resigning.
Hey Scirocco, why a $100,000 loss of rental money at the Casino this past year? To many screw ups by Kelly & Donna?
ReplyDeleteCap.....Scirroco had better resign he's disgraced his family enough, Stan has gotten a lawyer and he will cooperate with state and federal authorities.
ReplyDeleteFINALLY!!! The Saratogian has reported on Scirocco's free water hook up fees!! I have to give them a lot of credit, they reported with an excellect article! Wonder why they couldn't get any comment from Scirocco on Thurs. or Fri.? See Ya Skippy!!
ReplyDeleteThe Saratogian seems to let Scirocco off the hook by claiming it was all just a big mistake. An error ? He intended to give Sonny Boy the deal that's why he made Borden sign the letter...to attempt to cover it up should it go bad !
DeleteHe knew exactly what he was doing. Error ?
Not so. The Saratogian sheds some new light on the situation and also shows that Siroccos’ statement at Tuesday's Council meeting was very misleading. The Commissioner tried to hide the deal he made with Bonacio from the Council as early as this past Feb. as shown in letters between his office (Skip’s) and Bonacio. Also stated in the article is that most of the information that Bill McTygue was gathering from his FOIL requests, which Scirocco blasted McTygue over, kick started Scirocco to begin the revocation of his deal with Bonacio and the recall of the waiver. Mayor Yepsen is correct by calling in an outside investigation because 'DPW actions has jeopardized its credibility'. If anything, I think this article has brought more questions on Siroccos’ actions and a possible hand off of his responsibility to those who work under him. There will be more on this case in the nest post.
DeleteYou're right Cap, there was no error on Skippy's part giving Sonny a feebie. He & Drunkly did however error when they put the blame on poor Stan Borden who has since retained a lawyer. Today there is also an editorial in the Gazette stating that the state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman should be tripping over himself to investigate this scandal. It states there's no need for Mayor Yepsen to make a request. "There's plenty of smoke here to compel state officials to look for fire themselves." The city would certainly make a lot of money if they charged to observe Skippy on the witness stand. Drunkly won't be able to protect him then.
ReplyDeleteOne more question...Why is Michele Madigan covering for Scirocco????
I also understand that Skippy & Drunkly are calling employees in left & right & blaming them for the "Leak". Leak? There was NO leak guys, Bill McTygue did his homework. Let's face it, in the end Skippy's just a dog catcher & the his pit bull, Donna was his last catch.
News flash everyone: The people who are 'favored' in this town will continue to be. The peeps who lie and steal will continue to do so as a matter of course. I believe the expression is 'screw up and move up'. Yes I know it is distressing but such is life. Writing about it doesn't change it and the 'bums' will never be thrown out. That is not how the game is played. Now.... back to our scheduled programming. -NM
ReplyDelete5:02PM Disagree NM, if the Attorney General gets involved w/this investigation of Scirocco I believe his Goose is Cooked!
ReplyDeleteScirocco is welcoming a Audit. Also Sonny gave money to Tommy and B&B gave to both Billy and Tommy. Also Sonny said that he has never paid a fee ever.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard Sonny say he never, ever paid a fee. This is why a State audit is necessary, we have to go back to when Skip got in office. Also, if a person who is asking for the audit did the same thing, it would be a crazy thing for him to ask for the audit in the first place.
DeleteThe Commissioner has never blamed any for this. Why do you say he has.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand your post
DeleteCommissioner Madagan is doing the right thing. She is working for the good of the City. More that the brother ever did they worked for themselves.
ReplyDeleteMadigan will do a deeper audit and is doing the right thing but the second part of your post I don't understand you.
ReplyDeleteScirocco is welcoming an audit? Sure he is, like he'd welcome the McTygue family & the Design family into his home!!! This audit will prove VERY interesting, especially for the "other" builders in the city. Scirocco is as slimy as they come. Look out Stan Borden, he's about to throw you, Tim Wales, and anyone else he can under the bus. I understand Skippy & Drunkly have been pulling all employees into their office & interrogating them to try to find out were their "leak" is!!! Skippy there are SO MANY of your employees dissatisfied with your underhanded ways you & Donna together don't have enough fingers to plug the leaks.
ReplyDeleteHey Captain
ReplyDeleteAnything New on Water Connection Gate?
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