In this Times Union editorial they take a closer look at how Cohoes and Watervliet could share some services and save tax payer dollars.

“Here’s a word we’re glad to add to the vocabulary to describe an economic climate that has government revenues down, municipalities struggling to maintain services and taxpayers bracing for being asked to pay more.

It’s opportunity. Put that in the lexicon of hard times, along with such standbys as unemployment, layoffs, recession and crisis.

Here’s Cohoes Mayor John McDonald, seizing the chance to further study the consolidation of services with Watervliet, a neighboring riverfront city with similar demographics and similar challenges.

The cities are using a $45,000 grant from the state to explore merging their fire departments. It’s a small step for those small cities yet a very welcome start. An opportunity, as Mr. McDonald says.

To read more click here.