Welcome to the official website for the village of Oneida Castle, NY.

I would like all the Oneida Castle Village residents and everyone else on social media that the Oneida Castle Village Board did not want to have to cut down all those beautiful trees in the village. Especially all those on State St. and Seneca Ave.

One of our problems is that very few people attend our village board meetings which are the first Monday at 7 PM of every month and always has been. It is really hard to make these decisions without input from our residents so we have to do what we think are best. We have been working on getting sewers in the village for 14 years and during all that time there are usually 3 to 4 people that attend those meetings It would be great to have more residents come to our meeting and show an interest in our village and not be surprised when something is done. The board would appreciate and look forward to ideas about the village and to keep everyone in loop as to what is going on. By attending our meeting questions could be asked to clear up any misconceptions or rumors before they start.

As far as those non residents who complain on social media, they really don’t have anything to say about what happens in the village or how we should spend out money. One person said that with all the advancement in engineering there are better ways to put in the sewer lines without cutting down trees. I wish that person would have come forward and told us and our engineer what they are. There is only one other way to put the sewer lines in and that would be guided boring underground. Great idea but it would not work. The boring would cut the roots off all the trees and they would be dead in 5 years. The second reason is that New York State nor the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would not have given us the grant because of all the millions of dollars more it would cost to do that method. Presently we have a 3.9 million dollar, 0 interest, 30 year to pay back that money. We needed that along with the $6.1 million dollars in grants that we received in order for the village to get the badly needed sewer system. That loan is being paid back by the 274 properties, 600 population that makes up the Village of Oneida Castle. The village board’s job is to do what is best for the village and to keep taxes down the best we can. Having to cut down those trees to run the sewer lines which is very much needed was the only way we could do that.

Again the village board made the very difficult decision to get a sewer system in the village and to have to cut down those trees in order to do that. We have many failing septic systems in the village and to replace a septic system at a resident can only be done by putting in a raised bed at the cost of around $18,000 or more. Our sewer project is the only way to take care of the failing septic tank problems in the village.

Mayor John Deschamps.

Below is the minutes of our August meeting.

August 5, 2024

The regular monthly meeting of the Oneida Castle Village Board was called to order by Deputy Mayor Donald Ackerman at 7:00pm in the village office. Also present was Trustee Gwilt, Clerk Canada and Treasurer Meyers. Village residents in attendance were Kathy W., Larry Nogas, Tom Cochran, and Ed Lottermoser. (Absent: Mayor Deschamps)

MINUTES

A motion was made by Donald Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to accept the minutes as read.

B. PUBLIC CONCERNS

A question came from the floor regarding the number of trees that would be lost due to the sewers. Mr. Ackerman answered by stating there would be about 80 trees that would need to be rmoved. The public was welcome to look at the master plan to see if their trees would be affected. Mr. Nogas asked if the plans have been approved by the contractor for both the state and federal programs. Mr. Ackerman responded by stating yes and that all is ready to go.

C. BUSINESS

Deputy Mayor Ackerman reported that our lead engineer hopes that the project can begin around Sept 1. He does not know where exactly where they will begin or if they can begin in the usual place which is the lowest point.

Mr. Ackerman reported that there is $80,570.79 in CHIPS money. He also reminded those present that eventually their hook up will have to be approved by our codes officers.

Trustee Gwilt reported that he had reinstalled the Garden Club sign in the park and has ordered new dog refuse stations. He has some high school students working on the park to gain their volunteer hours that are needed to graduate. This will be a big help that is badly needed.

D. TREASURERS REPORT

Treasurer Meyers began her report by stating that the final completion date of the sewer project will be May 1 2026. This date includes a winter shut down period if necessary.

Mrs. Meyers reported the cash flows for July. Inflows were $8,275.08 while outflows were $15,854.27 making a total of -$7,579.19.

Year to date inflows were $16,508.71 compared to 2023 inflows of $26,301.82 making an amount difference of -$8,798.11. Year to date outflows for 2024 were $31,708.84 compared to 2023 outflows of $22,771.34 making an amount difference of $7,804.60.
The overall total for 2024 is $-$15,200.13 compared to the 2023 figure of $8,530.34 making an total amount difference of -$18,730.61.

There is currently $224,144.91 in checking and $105,657.21 in savings making a general fund balance of $317,343.76.

The Veteran Memorial Fund has $6,832.21 and the Ada Karr CD has $13,835.84.

A motion was made by Trustee Gwilt to accept this financial report. This was seconded by Deputy Mayor Ackerman.

E. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to adjourn at 7:30. The next meeting will take place on September 9th due to the Labor Day holiday.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Canada, Village Clerk