TROY – Democrats take command of the City Council Monday and will initially emphasize dealing with the city’s garbage issues and the impact of the new trash fee that took effect Jan. 1.

The council will develop a management plan aimed at reducing the city’s garbage output and look for incentives to change from a flat annual fee of $160 per residential unit to one based on how much trash is generated, said Democratic Councilman Anasha Cummings.

The city’s goal will be to increase recycling and divert materials from the garbage stream, which will help reduce the amount of money the community pays for disposal.

The $160 trash fee was recently enacted to close a $2.7 million revenue gap in the city’s 2018 budget. By adopting the fee and trimming spending by about $600,000, the city enters 2018 with a balance $73 million budget. This satisfies concerns expressed by the state Comptroller’s Office about a deficit and gives the city the opportunity to receive up to $1.2 million in funds from the state Financial Restructuring Board to assist with the long-term Troy Municipal Assistance Corp. debt payments.

The Democrats will hold a 4-3 majority. This is the first time under the City Charter, when it was redrafted in 2015, that there will be just a seven-member City Council after two at-large seats were cut. The Democrats are Cummings, Councilwoman Coleen Murtaugh Paratore, Councilman David Bissember and Councilman T.J. Kennedy. The Republicans are Council President Carmella Mantello, Councilman Jim Gulli and Councilman Mark McGrath.

When the council convenes at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, the Democrats will fill four patronage positions in the city clerk’s office.

Mantello had pushed in December to change charter language that would have protected the jobs held by Republican appointees. Even though three public hearings were held, the measure was withdrawn when there weren’t enough votes to adopt it.

Cummings said the Democrats received 12 applications for jobs. The Democrats’ appointees are Mara Drogan, city clerk at a salary of $54,846; Rachel Carter, deputy clerk, $40,040; Jeffrey W. Nesich, city auditor; $15,000; and James Quinn, legislative assistant to the council, $10,000.

At the council’s regular meeting on Jan. 11, the Democrats will present a second round of patronage posts as the city marshals are appointed. Four posts will go to Jack McCann, a past marshal and former city Democratic chairman, Rel Teta, Keith McDermott and William Barhold. A fifth marshal has not yet been selected.

Cummings will be elected as president pro tempore and will be leading the Democratic majority. For what is believed to be a first for Troy, the council president will not be a member of the majority. The Democrats also have put together the council committees.

The council also will hold a confirmation hearing for Charles Wojton as the city’s first commissioner of general services. The position was created when the new charter was adopted.

Cummings said the council will work with Wojton to develop the recycling program and trash plan.

“Charles possesses the knowledge and experience required to tackle the challenges of delivering signature city services to the residents of our community. I know he will serve our city well in his new position,” Mayor Patrick Madden said in announcing the appointment of Wojton.

Wojton comes to city government from Rensselaer County where he was in charge of the county’s central services operations. Wojton had worked for retired County Executive Kathleen Jimino, the mayor’s sister. County Republicans had said Wojton was expected to be replaced by new County Executive Steven McLaughlin. Wojton supported former Deputy County Executive Christopher Meyer in the Republican and Conservative primaries won by McLaughlin.