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

I checked with the village codes officers about the fire site on E. Second St. The reason the original owner didn't take it down is because it was still considered a hot fire residue which means that NYSDEC does not recognize test for hazardous waste, especially for asbestos because just checking a few sites of the fire isn't enough. The original owner tried to appeal to the state's decision and lost. All the fire debris had to be taken to another location which is expensive and the the original owner didn't want to pay for it so he sold it. When he sold it everything went back to day one but the new owner is going to pay to remove all the debris and build an apartment house there. This will start after everything is done as far as the legal paperwork of the purchase is completed.

Also brought up at the meeting was a problem with the water coming down W. Forth St. onto State St. and puddling there It appears that the problem with the drainage is State St., which is a problem for NYS DOT. Trustee Dan Gwilt is going to ask NYSDOT to come to W. Forth St. to fill the potholes, check the manhole and see why the water isn't draining into the manhole.

We had a contractor's meeting and the contractor is going to give us a tentative schedule about the dates on which streets they will be working. This will be tentative and not cast in stone. The contractor is supposed to be completely done by the middle of November.

The village is having it's Spring Cleanup on May 15th & 16th. All leaves must be bagged and tree limbs must be no larger than 3 inches in diameter. It may be difficult for some as they may be digging and putting in Sewer mains on that street. If that happens then give me a call so we can figure something out.

Lastly, the bad news is that Charles (Buck) Canada unexpectedly passed away on April 1st. Buck was married to our village secretary, Jean Canada and was a past member of the village board. He will be missed very much.

Here is the minutes from our March Meeting:

March 3, 2025

The regular monthly meeting of the Oneida Castle Village Board was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor John Deschamps in the village office. Also present were Trustees Ackerman and Gwilt, Treasurer Meyers and Clerk Canada. The following village residents were in attendance: Carolyn Deschamps, Kathy Wojiechowski, Sharon Bognaski, Larry Nogas, Cindy and Fred Whipple, Bill Sweatman, Rhonda McLaughlin, Melanie Osier, Jared Christian, Richard Moore, Sharon Stone, Gabe Stone, Stephanie and Andrew Tubbs, Judy Mahoney, and Tom Cochran. Oneida County legislator , Keith Scheible was also present.

A. MINUTES

A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to accept the March minutes.

B. REPORTS

Mr. Scheible gave a report on what is happening in Oneida County. He congratulated both the men's and women’s MVCC soccer teams. The men's team became Division III champions while the women secured second place in the nationals.

Oneida county passed a resolution to allow over 4,000 students to attend the Broadway Theater League of Utica to attend showings of the Polar Express . They also approved a grant for Nascentia Health to help pay for part of the redevelopment of the former Beeches as a retirement complex.

Also approved was a grant agreement with the Village of Vernon for street light improvement.

Melanie Osier also gave a report on the plan for the Summer Fun Days in Oneida Castle. These would take place on Thursday from May 22 to August 21 between the hours of 4-7PM. This would include food trucks and entertainment for children such as movies, games and
music. Melanie asked for definite approval from the Board as soon as possible.

Melanie with the help of Jared Christian will handle the logistics of all this including layout, parking ,power supply, waste management and permits and licensing. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Oneida Castle tree fund.

C. BUSINESS

The meeting began with Gabe Stone announcing that his project has been accepted for his Eagle Scout Badge at a total cost of $1800 that he has raised. The audience gave Gabe a round of applause
and their congratulations.

A question arose from the audience of why they have not seen work on the sewers recently Mayor Deschamps stated that due to harsh weather conditions the company has had a shut down until April 1st.When they return they will have a new third crew that will do only lawn and driveway repairs.

Mr. Moore asked if the Oneida Nation was charging us to be on site. Mr. Ackerman responded that yes they are charging us and that they have to be there if there is any possibility of remains or artifacts. The Nation has the right to stop work as they see fit. Mayor Deschamps added that the Village has $200,000 set aside for these inspections.

Discussion took place regarding the problems that Jablonski has encountered. The Mayor stated that our pipes are old and break easily. It was noted that our fire chief should be notified when a water main is broken. Mayor Deschamps added that there is a $1500 fine per day for every day they are late in completion.

Mr. Christian stated that his circumstance was different due to the fact that he shares a leach field and septic tank with his neighbor. The Board answered that this is a problem that will have to be solved between the two parties. They must agree on where the lateral should be and share the cost. Whether or not each homeowner has to fill in their tank is being investigated. There is the possibility that you do not have to fill it in. However, this could lead to problems in the future. When you go to sell your home you will have to declare that there is an unfilled septic tank on your property. Who would be liable is it collapses?

Mr. Moore reported that Jablonski had made an awful mess on his front lawn on Steuben. They were backfilling and put a large amount of stone on his property. He would like it all gone when this is finished.

A question came from the audience about reassessment . If our properties will be worth more money due to the sewers, will this property be reassessed. The Board stated that if one property is reassessed in the Town of Vernon every property would have to be reassessed. Therefore this would not happen.

In final business the contract with the Codes Officers was reviewed. The rate is $38.50 per hour with gas at $.70 per mile. This is a slight increase. This contract was accepted, signed by the Mayor and sealed.

D. TREASURERS REPORT

Mrs. Meyers began her report with a discussion of budget items needed. Mr. Ackerman requested
that extra money be put away for tree replacement. Mr. Gwilt added that he is checking into grants
for trees.

Mrs. Meyers said the tax levy of $1.135 would need a Board override. Although the tax cap could be overridden, the Board is reluctant to do this. The sewer maintenance line will be the same as last year at $15,000. Mulch for the playground is budgeted at $6,000 as this has to be a safety type of mulch for children.

Mrs. Meyers began the February report with the cash flows. Inflows for February were $0.00 while outflows were $3,845.39 making an overall total of -$3,845.39. The Capital Sewer Project has inflows from the EPA Grant totaling $135,806.32. Outflows for the sewer project were $45,567.95 making a sewer project net total to be $90,238.37 with an overall net total of $86,392.98.

Year to date inflows are $100,358.90 while Outflows are $89,320.88 making a general fund net total of $11,038.02. Inflows for the Sewer Capital Project are $2,018,619.65 while Outflows are $2,035,463.24. The Sewer Capital Project has a net total of -$16,843.59. The Overall Net Total for year to date is -$5,805.57.

There is currently $105,687.84 in savings and $223,655.68 in checking making a general fund balance of $328,463.24.

There is $6,443.66 in the Oneida Castle Veteran Memorial Fund and the Ada Karr CD is now at $13,880.69.

Mrs. Meyers reminded everyone that next month is the budget hearing at 6:30PM on the scheduled meeting date of April 7, 2025.

A motion was made by Trustee Ackerman and seconded by Trustee Gwilt to accept this financial
report.

E. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Trustee Gwilt and seconded by Trustee Ackerman to adjourn at 8:15PM.

Respectfully submitted,


Jean Canada, Clerk