Troy Mayor Patrick Madden says this hasn’t been an easy task to tackle, but he says tough decisions during his tenure have reduced the city’s fiscal stress rating and provided the strongest reserves since 2009.

“Fiscal discipline is a practice, not an event,” Madden said.

Finances kicked off Madden’s fifth State of the City address on Wednesday night. He also highlighted economic development in the city, acknowledged difficulties with opening the South Troy Pool, and laid out plans to improve neighborhoods. Madden is proposing to create a historic district in Lansingburgh.

“Located between 111th and 117th St., this will enable home and property owners to pursue available tax credits,” Madden said.

When it comes to public safety, Madden says statistics from the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center show violent crime in the city has dropped 26.7 percent over the last four years, but he says there is still work ahead since the number of shots fired in 2019 remained the same as 2018. 

“I always cringe when we hear violent crime is down in stats,” said Troy Council President Carmella Mantello.

Mantello says she those numbers don’t match up to what she is hearing from residents, but overall she was pleased with the address, especially the announcement the process of developing a new city hall is underway. 

“This process is not a commitment to constructing a new city hall tomorrow, but it is the first step back to a home base,” Madden said.

Mantello will deliver the legislative address at the city council meeting on March 5.