06/03/2026
A message from the Chair:
Residents have every right to ask questions about water quality, infrastructure, cost, and public health. These are serious issues, and they deserve serious responses.
That is exactly why this matter has been addressed through the appropriate public process. Water quality concerns have been reviewed, testing has occurred, the Department of Health is involved, and the Town continues to follow the process directed by public health officials. A corrosion study is also underway, including at the water treatment plant and the Schenectady pump station, where a significant portion of Niskayuna’s water comes through. Results and recommendations will continue to move through the appropriate County and State health channels.
That is how responsible government works: testing, review, expert guidance, public process, and follow-through.
It is also important to distinguish between townwide water-quality issues and property-specific factors, including private plumbing, service-line circumstances, and conditions unique to an individual home. Those concerns still matter, but they should be discussed honestly and in the proper context.
Supervisor Erin Cassidy-Dorion works incredibly hard for this community. The role carries significant responsibility, long hours, and constant public scrutiny, while the salary remains well below what many full-time leadership roles with comparable responsibility would command. She has continued to show up, do the work, pursue grants, follow expert guidance, and move the Town forward responsibly.
Voters recognized that work in November. The election results were a clear affirmation of responsible, effective leadership.
What does not help is turning public meetings into personal attacks. At the recent Water & Sewer Committee meeting, one resident had to be reminded multiple times to remain cordial. Residents can and should ask hard questions. But public servants, staff, and other residents should not be subjected to hostility or repeated disruption while the Town is actively working through the proper channels.
It is also important to be honest about tradeoffs. Infrastructure improvements, studies, testing, engineering review, and regulatory oversight cost money. Demanding action while attacking the cost, the process, and the people doing the work creates an impossible standard.
We encourage residents to watch the public meeting and decide for themselves whether this reflects the level of professionalism and respect Niskayuna deserves.
Disagreement is fair. Accountability is fair. Personal attacks and disruption are not.
Niskayuna deserves transparency, solutions, and basic respect in public meetings.
Allison Marinucci, Chair
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/live/5OMA2xWKIOE?si=Cc1MEkpMh28WApVk
