GLENVILLE — Supervisor Chris Koetzle took an opportunity Wednesday to thank Glenville residents during his final State of the Town address, while also touting past successes and charting a course forward as he prepares to step down this spring.
Koetzle, who appeared emotional at times during his approximately 20-minute speech, is set to begin a new role with the New York State Association of Towns on May 1, following 15 years as the town’s top lawmaker.
“We have been through a lot over the past 15 years,” he said. “I am proud to say that the town of Glenville is in phenomenal shape. We are a strong, growing, vibrant and fiscally sound town.”
Speaking before approximately two dozen residents and town employees, Koetzle highlighted the town’s progress during his tenure, which saw millions in economic growth, reduced debt and years of balanced budgets that remained under the state’s tax cap while bolstering reserves funds and slashing the use of fund balance.
Among the successes, Koetzle included was the development of Town Center, the primary business district along Route 50, which once featured empty storefronts but today is home to bustling shopping centers with a mix of major national retailers, including Target, and smaller chains and locally-owned businesses.
“We have transformed the town from a sleepy, often forgotten about place — a pass through from Schenectady to Saratoga Springs along Route 50, a place that we call our Town Center today [and] was once known as ‘gasoline alley’ — to a place that people have actively chosen to live, work and play,” Koetzle said.
The supervisor’s speech comes just weeks after a slate of newly elected Town Board members were seated and at a time when two key positions are vacant — comptroller and commissioner of public works. The police department is also facing a shortage of officers and is expecting a rash of retirements later this year.
Deputy Supervisor Robert Kirkham Jr., a retired highway department employee, is set to become acting supervisor after Koetzle steps down.
Koetzle praised Kirkham as a “great choice” to fill the role, but noted he is committed to a smooth transition and would be willing to extend his time as supervisor if needed.
Koetzle later clarified that he would serve in his new role and as supervisor if needed, but only for one or two months.
“I am committed to stay longer if needed be, on a limited basis, to ensure a smooth and stable transition,” he said. “Once we have these critical positions filled, we’ll know more on the timing. Until then, I remain dedicated to working on your behalf and we will keep the progress going.”
Koetzle's speech also pointed out areas that will need continued attention in the coming year.
The supervisor raised concerns about growing retirement and medical costs and noted the town is struggling to keep pace with wages in the private sector — issues, he said, will require “fiscal discipline” to navigate.
He also criticized the state for failing to release $1.5 million in grant funds the town was awarded in 2017 for upgrades to its police headquarters, which do not have proper locker room facilities for female officers and have long been cramped.
Lawmakers have long discussed what to do with the town's municipal facility on Glenridge Road, but opted to wait for the funds to be made available before acting. The pandemic also put plans on hold.
"After waiting on this money, enduring the pandemic and waiting through high inflation, we're ready for a decision," Koetzle said.
He added the Town Board will begin reviewing options around its municipal facility next month, with a goal of making a final decision in the coming months.
“The board has studied this for years and we will take the next two months to finalize plans and make our decision,” Koetzle said. “We can no longer make our staff wait for important upgrades and safety enhancements to their work space.”
Koetzle praised the town staff, his colleagues on the Town Board over the years and the Schenectady County economic development team, including the Metroplex Development Authority, for their roles in advancing the town, including the redevelopment of the Glenville Business & Technology Park, a former superfund site that has seen millions in investment in recent years and is home to thousands of jobs.
He touted park upgrades completed in recent years and highlighted upcoming investments that will break ground later this year, including pickleball courts, parking lot and path improvements at Indian Meadows Park, and a pavilion at Legacy Park.
Koetzle also highlighted infrastructure improvements that have long been in the works that will be moving forward this year, including the $1.2 million Van Buren pedestrian path that will link Town Center to adjacent neighborhoods and parks, sidewalks along Freemans Bridge Road that will run north from Dutch Meadows Lane to Airport Road, and millions in water infrastructure improvements that are currently in development.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is also slated to begin cleanup at the former Kenco Chemical superfund site on Freemans Bridge Road this spring, and the town is expecting a seven-figure tranche of funds for settlement stemming from PFAS contamination that will be used to install a carbon filtration system at the town's water plant.
Koetzle ended his address by talking about his next steps and his commitment to the town.
“My next chapter is very exciting and offers me a great opportunity to expand my horizons,’ he said. “You gave a western New York kid a chance, and now matter where I go in the future, Glenville will always be considered my home.”