Canastota: From Village Hall

Margo Frink

(Canastota – Nov. 16, 2009) It appears state and federal funding agencies have settled their differences with the Oneida Indian Nation regarding archaeological studies on property scheduled for construction of the villages Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Todd Rouse said funding should be released soon. Rouse said preliminary plans estimate project bids should come in under $14 million. Bids are expected in January.

In the meantime, the board of trustees authorized Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Williams to issue payment to Camp Dresser McKee in the amount of $299,130 for engineering services performed on improvement projects from June 28 through Oct. 5 of this year. Payment will be issued upon receipt of proceeds from the $1 million Bond Anticipation Note.

In other news

The village tree lighting ceremony will take place Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. by the Key Bank. The village nativity scene will be placed in Rotary Park again this year.

The bicentennial committee meeting will take place Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at village hall.

Village Administrator Larry Carpenter said the state Department of Transportation expects to be done with its work around the village at the end of the month and the barricades will come down.

Trustee Scott Rapasadi was concerned with junk he saw left on the side of the road. Carpenter said code enforcement Office Mike Adsit has already addressed the issues.

With budget preparation expected to begin, village resident Margaret Peters urged the board to consider speaking with the school’s chapter of FFA to see if flowers for the containers can’t be grown in their new greenhouse.

Peters also questioned the village’s bills from National Grid and asked if someone employed by the village is responsible for driving around and checking to see if street lights are working. Peters said the bills are based on the lights being on at all times.

“If we are paying for the service and we are not receiving it, it should be addressed,” Peters said.

Carpenter said police officers report to the village when street lights are not working.

As far as loss of money, Carpenter said there is a firm that the village contracts with at no cost to the village that makes sure the billing is correct and all the right bulbs are being used. The company receives a percentage of any reimbursements.

Margo Frink is managing editor with M3P Media LLC. She can be reached at 315-363-4254 or Margo@m3pmedia.com.

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Canastota: From Village Hall

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