Welcome to the official website for the village of Oneida Castle, NY.
I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION DUMPSTER DAY!! Dumpster Day will be on September 13th at the village hall from 8 Am to 11 AM. A letter will be sent to every property owner in the village which will have to brought with them and turned over to either Dan or myself when they get to the village hall. All the information that you will need to know will be on the letter.
I keep saying patience is a virtue to myself but it’s getting really hard to say since the sewer construction is so far behind. My street like the others who have had the sewer mains installed is pretty rough. Where they cross cut the roads it is filled with stones, I have had sink holes appear in the middle of the street and in front of my house that have been filled about 5 times now and my lawn is the same as everyone else. There really is not much we can do since this is construction and construction is dirty and destructive. On a positive note, when ever there is a problem I have called and they have responded quickly to take care of the problems. As far as the lawns I have been told they be will be around with top soil and reseed everything. The sewer mains are supposed to completed., pressure tested and ready for hookup by August 27th. As you can see they are not going to make it. The black topping will probably occur when they have the majority of the cross cutting of the roads and driveways done. It would not be economically possible to do just a few at a time. I know it’s been hard and thank you for being so patient with this project. Bye the way. Keep your sales receipt when you pay your contractor for your hookup. It can be used if you for tax purposes if sell your house as a capital improvement.
The food trucks have been a huge success. We have drawn a lot of people to the park and all I have heard is how beautiful the park is. Keep an eye out for Halloween, October 31st..There plans being made for a big event in the park for the entire family. I will keep you posted as I learn more about it..
Here are the minutes from our July village board meeting:
PUBLIC HEARING 6:30pm
Those in attendance at this hearing were Mayor John Deschamps, Trustees Ackerman and Gwilt, Clerk Canada and Treasurer Meyers. Also present were village residents Thomas Cochran, Kathy Wojiechowski, Geoff Becker, Kathy Blanchard and Judy Mahoney.
The hearing began with a brief description of Local Law #2 of the year 2025. This is a local law amending the Village of Oneida Castle codes to regulate solar power and energy systems in the Village of Oneida Castle. This resolution was introduced by Trustee Gwilt, who moved its adoption, and seconded by Trustee Ackerman. It was resolved that the Village of Oneida Castle did enact the proposed law #2 of the year 2025. A roll call vote was taken with three ayes and zero nos.
The clerk did certify and seal that this law is a true and correct copy of the original and that all Board members did receive proper notice of this hearing and that this hearing was open to the public.
Clerk Canada will now send this law to both Oneida County and NY State for final approval and registration.
This hearing was closed at 6:50.
PUBLIC MEETING 7:00pm
The following people were in attendance at this meeting: Mayor Deschamps, Trustees Ackerman and Gwilt, Clerk Canada, Treasurer Meyers and the folloing residents: Thomas Cochran, Kathy Wojciechowski, Geoff Becker, Kathy Blanchard , Judy Mahoney, Carolyn Deschamps Sherrri Stone, Gabe Stone, Dave DeMarco, Larry Nogas, Walter Pohley, Mary Ellen Jablonsky and Richard Moore.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to accept the June minutes.
B. REPORTS
C. PUBLIC CONCERNS
The public concerns portion of the meeting will be dealt with during the business portion as these will be sewer related questions.
D. BUSINESS
Mayor Deschamps gave a general report on how the sewers are progressing. The contractors are still behind in their work schedule and are having ongoing water problems. Mary Ellen Jablonsky of W. Sixth St stated that she has a big dip on her property and is unable to mow. She is unable to maintain the end area of her property which needs to be leveled. It was thought that it would be maintained to the original condition but that is not the case. Her yard is uneven and full of stones.
Ms. Jablonsky also brought up the area at the end of W. Sixth St. where the fence is. This fence needs to be painted and repaired. She is worried if her property is to be restored to original condition, why is all the equipment packed up and gone.
Mr. Nogas, also of W. Sixth St. stated that he has standing water on his property because the grading was not done properly. He has never had a problem before this project began.
Geoff Becker, 15 Castle St, stated that his property was not graded correctly.. He now has water running into his basement and has large divots in his front yard. At one time he had 2 inches of water in his basement. Mr. Becker has never had any water problems before this.
Walter Pohley of 24 E. Second St. stated that he had called DEC to report that he does not see any erosion control being done. The storm sewers are not protected and must be cleaned out immediately. He also brought up the question of why there is no concrete cradle being put in under each of the laterals. Also the dirt in the roads should be cleaned and is not being done. Mr. Pohley feels that this company is not following the rules as set forth in the contract. He also is trying to get the specs on the sewer system but is unable to find a person who has them, including the clerk and the mayor. He also asked the Mayor if this company will be fined if they do not finish on the agreed upon date.
Mayor Deschamps addressed all of the above questions and problems with what information he had. He stated he is going to a meeting tomorrow with the contractors and will know much more then. He did say that there is a $1500 fine for every day that the contractor is late. He will ask the engineer where the specs are and if they are available. He asked the public for their patience with their property concerns and assured them that things will be put back in order as soon as possible.
Mrs Stone has reported that she has water in her basement that she never had before the digging began. Mr. Moore reported that the corner at the end of Eighth St. is full of stones and that there is a sink hole started. He questioned when his lawn will be repaired and what will happen to all the stumps in the village. Mayor Deschamps said that the stumps will be ground whenever possible. In some cases they will not be pulled as the roots have wound themselves around the water lines.
Gabriel Stone, who has worked in the park for his Eagle Scout badge stated that his $2000 bench for his project has been moved twice by an excavator. This has led to
rusting of this bench due to handling by the heavy equipment. He is also disappointed that his sidewalk is gone which led to his little Free Library. He has worked to raise money for this project and now is seeing it all in disrepair. Mayor Deschamps assured Gabe that this would all be repaired or replaced by the contractors.
E. TREASURERS REPORT
The treasurer began her report by saying that this last law regarding solar power systems has cost over $8,000 for lawyers’s fees.
The treasurer’s report for June was reviewed. Inflows were $20,952.44, most of which was paid taxes. Outflows were $6,702.76 making an overall positive total of $14,249.68. Outflows for the Sewer-Capital Project are $227.477.17 making a net total of negative $36,885.95 and an overall net total of negative $22,636.27. Reimbursement to EPA has been submitted.
Year to date inflows for June were $16,508.71 while outflows were $15,854.57 making an overall total of $654.14.
There is currently $166,832.92 in checking and $105,705.51 in savings making a general fund balance of $271,989.58.
A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman to accept this financial report. This was seconded by Trustee Gwilt.
F. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made at 7:45 to adjourn by Trustee Gwilt. This was seconded by Trustee Ackerman. The next scheduled meeting will take place on August 4th 2025 at 7:00pm..
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Canada, Clerk