OLEAN, N.Y. -- Republican Olean Mayor Bill Aiello delivered his third state of the city address Monday night.
"The state of Olean is in a transition and revitalization," said Bill Aiello, Olean Mayor. "It's a snapshot of the previous year and hopefully some blueprint of what's going to happen in the next coming year."
Aiello cites a long list of accomplishments in 2015 including the completion of phase one of the North Union Street project, and the much needed renovation of the wastewater treatment plant.
He says major challenges for 2016 include phase two of the North Union reconstruction up to East State Street, as well as a budget with rising costs and minimal tax revenues.
"The citizens have to decide what services they want to maintain and what services they can do without. So we want to try to maintain the services we have now at the most affordable price," said Aiello.
"It's a great time for Olean. I can't wait to be a part of it and lead us for the next twelve months," said Paul Gonzalez, Olean Common Council President.
Democrat Paul Gonzalez, who was also appointed common council president Monday night, is in the last year of his second term in office.
He says he was actually pleased with the mayor's detailed address and looks to work collaboratively with Aiello's office to help the city move forward financially.
"We're going to have to be very creative as a council and working with the mayors administration to try and get as many of these things done," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says Republicans also hold a five to two majority over Democrats on the city's common council.