The Troy City Council has decided to postpone the appointment of Ian Silverman as Legislative Counsel, pending confirmation from the city’s Civil Service Commission. This decision emerged during the council’s organizational meeting on March 18, 2024. The move comes amid scrutiny from Republican officials, particularly Mayor Carmella Mantello, who raised concerns regarding potential ethical and legal conflicts associated with Silverman’s dual roles.
Silverman currently serves as Corporation Counsel for the City of Rensselaer and also holds a position with the New York State Department of Health. Mayor Mantello highlighted that these overlapping responsibilities could lead to conflicts of interest, particularly under New York State General Municipal Law. “These overlapping responsibilities mirror those of the proposed Troy position and create a clear conflict of interest that puts our city at risk,” she stated.
In contrast, Council President Sue Steele defended Silverman’s appointment, arguing that his role would not involve overlapping duties with his responsibilities in Rensselaer. She emphasized that Silverman’s expertise with the city charter and his extensive knowledge of Troy’s governance make him a valuable asset to the council. “He will provide excellent, professional legal counsel to the legislative branch of the city,” Steele noted.
Silverman himself expressed confidence in his ability to manage both roles without conflict. He explained that his work as Legislative Counsel would focus solely on drafting legislation and offering legal advice to the council, without engaging in contract negotiations involving Rensselaer. “There’s no conflict… I will not be involved in negotiating any contracts with the City of Rensselaer for Troy,” he stated.
The city’s charter permits the council to hire legislative counsel to provide legal advice, separate from the Executive’s Corporation Counsel. Steele highlighted the importance of this position in alleviating the workload of the Corporation Counsel, particularly when it comes to drafting legislation.
Mayor Mantello, however, criticized the proposed appointment, suggesting it is politically motivated. She stated that the appointment includes a significant salary increase of $35,000, bringing the total compensation to $50,000 annually, which she believes lacks justification. “This appears to be a purely political appointment—a reward to the husband of failed county executive candidate Tiffany Silverman,” she claimed.
Steele refuted the notion that the appointment is politically motivated, describing it as a decision based on Silverman’s qualifications and prior experience. “I was disappointed to read the mayor’s allegations, which distract from the important business of the city,” she said.
Silverman also responded to the allegations, asserting that there were no promises made regarding his appointment in connection with his wife’s political campaign. “The City Council actually reached out to me for this position. It wasn’t a position that I applied for,” he said. He emphasized his qualifications, noting nearly 20 years of legal practice, much of which has been focused on municipal law.
The council plans to move forward with the appointment once it receives approval from the Civil Service Commission. Steele explained that this process includes public hearings and is standard for any new titles that have not been previously approved.
Despite opposition from the mayor, Silverman believes his role is essential for the council’s effectiveness. “I think it’s important to recognize the fact that the voters spoke in November, and they want a real check on Mayor Mantello’s administration,” he stated, referring to the recent electoral outcome favoring the Democratic council majority.
Residents of Troy are encouraged to attend the upcoming monthly council meeting, where community members can express their priorities for the new term. “There’s no legislation to be considered, so I would invite any community group, any individual, to come and speak to us,” Steele said.
