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

We have started the new year without much news to give you. Things will be slow until the digging season starts which will be either April or May, We are having our Christmas tree pick up this week, January 8th & 9th.

Here are the minutes of the last nights meeting.

Jack

December 5, 2025
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The December meeting of the Oneida Castle Village Board was called to order by Mayor John Deschamps at 7:00pm in the village office. Also present were Trustees Ackerman and Gwilt, Clerk Canada and Treasurer Meyers. The following residents were also in attendance: Carolyn Deschamps, Kathy Wojciechowski, Richard Moore, Dave DeMarco, Judy Mahoney, Jensyn and Ryan Netzband, Ed Lottermoser, Dean Stoker and Joe Walpole.
A. MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the November minutes by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt.
B. PUBLIC CONCERNS
The public concerns portion of this meeting will be addressed during the business portion.
C. BUSINESS
Mayor Deschamps began the meeting by explaining the situation with Jablonski and where we are at with this company. There is now a work stoppage due to the winter weather. At this point the village would have every right to initiate the fine of $1500 per day since they are so far behind with their work schedule. However. this would end up being counter productive since Jablonski would go bankrupt if this was done. We would have to go to our bonding company at that point. Jack will confer with our engineers as to what the bonding company would do if this situation should happen.. They could go after the change of conditions. If we fight this we would have to use our budget. It is the general opinion of both the Village and the engineers that we should not initiate the $1500 fine at this time and wait and see what happens when they start up again in the spring.
Mayor Deschamps stressed that all streets will be done and boring will continue on 5th St. both East and West. This would include lawns, right of ways, etc. By not initiating the penalty fees, we would also be saving money on the Oneida Nation fees and all the lawyer fees that would be involved.
Mr. DeMarco asked if they will have a dedicated crew that do lawns, sidewalks and laterals. His feeling was that the Nation should be paid by Jablonski since he is the problem.
DOT is now involved in this as well. They have given Jablonski notice that unless they clean up their areas and keep to a schedule their permit will be revoked. These inspections should have been done as things progressed and were not done.
Questions came from the residents regarding sidewalks for the winter. Trustee Gwilt said he had done a trial run to see if the walks could be done and determined they could not. He broke shear pins and stones flew all over. This will make it especially difficult for our mailman Mr. Walpole, who continues to deliver our mail despite such poor conditions. A big thank you was given to Mr. Walpole from all present.
The issue of sinkholes was also brought up by those in attendance. The Mayor stressed the need to report them immediately. Home owners, the Netzbands, stated that they had one at 116 Seneca and it took three weeks to be repaired. There is a need for more cones to mark off these areas so no one is injured.
Mr. Moore of Steuben stated that the Castle has been ruined and that it won't ever be the same. Other people have noticed that the charm is gone especially with all the missing trees.
The Board urged residents to be patient and stressed that they are going to do everything in their power to return Oneida Castle to what it should be.
Mr. DeMarco stated that he understands there are no walks to plow, but can the Board at least clean the sidewalk by the front door of the hall? The Mayor stated that they are going to try to maintain the crosswalk areas of State and Seneca Sts.
In closing, Mr. Lottermoser asked if he will be given notice before they tear up W. Fifth St. so he can get his cars out. The Mayor stated that they are supposed to be giving notice before they begin work and if there is a problem it should be reported to him.
D. TREASURERS REPORT
Mrs. Meyers began her report with cash flows from November. Inflows were $33114.34 which included Oneida County sales tax while outflows were $8,128.62 making a general fund monthly total of a positive $24,985.72. The Sewer Capital Project has both zero inflows and outflows making an overall net total of $24,985.72.
Year to date inflows are $100,124.64 while outflows are $64,744.90. The general fund year to date net total is a positive $35,379.74. Inflows for the year to date Sewer Capital Project are $1,884,663.96 with outflows totaling $1,944,275.42 making the sewer project net total of -$59,611.46. The year to date overall net total is -$24,231.72.
There is $165,161.47 in checking and $105,727.66 in savings making a general fund balance of $294,625.85. The Sewer Capital Project has $1,884,669.96 in revenues and $1,944,275.42 in expenditures making a sewer fund balance of -$158,027.19. Oneida Castle is waiting for this sum as a final payment from EPA.
A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to accept the financial report.
E. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to adjourn at
7:45. The next scheduled meeting will take place January 5, 2026.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Canada Village Clerk