New director for Canal Corp.

A n appointment made last week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo will change the director of New York State Canal Corp., which controls the building the town has been using for its offices since 2006.

Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton has been named to replace Carmella Mantello, who has been director of the corporation since 2005.

Mantello has been known for her patience in dealing with the town, which moved into the visitor’s center without permission in 2006 and has been there since. Mantello has worked directly with Supervisor Richard “Geezer” Gordon as the town has searched for a new site.

Her last correspondence indicated the Canal Corp. wanted the town out of the facility by the end of 2010, but Gordon has said he is under the impression the town still has a little more time to find a new place to set up its offices.

During a town board meeting last week, it became apparent the town is still unsure whether it will move into the Skenesborough Volunteer Fire Company or whether it will buy the former Garden Time building on U.S. Route 4.

The Canal Board members have been asked for their approval of Cuomo’s selection of Stratton and the appointment will be formally confirmed at the next scheduled meeting of
the board in mid-March.

At that time, Stratton will be the person making the decisions about the Visitors’ Center.

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Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Appointment, Board Meeting, Board Members, Correspondence, Decisions, Garden Time, Geezer, Mantello, New York State, Patience, S Center, Schenectady, State Canal, Supervisor, Visitors Center, Volunteer Fire Company