Gloversville bid farewell Tuesday to Mayor Vincent DeSantis as the city’s top executive, as more than a dozen people — and a governor — praised him at a common council meeting.

But they still expect he’ll walk into the street to pick up trash.

And he’ll plant trees.

And he’ll water the plants.

And maybe paint the Glove Theatre. Again.

“I’m a little overwhelmed,” DeSantis said as he walked into the council chambers, where more than 50 people greeted him with applause. “Usually, this isn’t a good sign.”

It was the last meeting for DeSantis, and council members Elizabeth Batchelor, Jay Zarrelli, Marcia Weiss and Wayne Peters. The common council also agreed, unanimously, to borrow $2.2 million for a variety of projects.

The event brought the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the mind of Alex Miller

“To imagine Gloversville today without Vincent DeSantis is to imagine an empty lot where the historic Glove Theatre once stood; instead of the Farmers’ Market pavilion, a pothole-scarred asphalt slab; and a ruined Carnegie Library rather than the civic treasure it is today,” said Miller, the first speaker of 14. “We are a better city today because of you, Mr. Mayor.”

Among the accomplishments speakers listed included saving and reviving the Glove Theatre, adding a pavilion to the farmer’s market, Trail Station Park, work to restore the Gloversville Public Library and the Fonda, Gloversville and Johnstown Rail Trail.

“We’ve seen our streets cleaner, declining buildings demolished and our mayor supported,” said Sandra Peters. “Your efforts and leadership have provided Gloversville a strong foundation.”

“Positive changes take time and vision and that, Mayor DeSantis, you’ve always had,” she added.

However, DeSantis couldn’t lay out a single accomplishment that stands out. Rather, he said, it’s because they all stand together.

During his tenure, DeSantis helped establish a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, about 60% of the city, to begin restoration. Then, part of that was designated a state Brownfield Opportunity Area to help identify and test potential brownfields. Over that was a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which funded a number of projects, of which the city has completed half — so far.

The idea, he said, was to compound the benefits, and funding, that each program provides to begin a renaissance.

“Revitalization of a city doesn’t happen quickly. It takes decades; it takes hard work,” DeSantis told constituents. I don’t think anything is going to be able to stop us in the renaissance. Now people are starting to talk about the future, and that’s a big change.”

But it all started because he was willing to bend down and pick up a bit of trash, speakers said. And he helped paint the Glove Theatre, and he would haul compost and water plants.

“Thank you for teaching my guys how to plant trees,” said Public Works Director Deanna Hitchcock.

Weiss read a citation from Gov. Kathy Hochul praising DeSantis’ work, and Glove Theatre President Kathleen Perrott thanked him for more than the paint work. “Thank you for saving that........

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