Oneida: New Fire Truck Discussion put on Hold

By Margo Frink

(Oneida, NY ) The Oneida Common Council scheduled two special meetings during its regular meeting held Oct. 6 at the Municipal Building.

An item was pulled from the agenda by Oneida Fire Chief Don Hudson, he said so he could further “discuss details and go over the nuts and bolts” of a $470,500 capital project to replace a fire engine. A special meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Mayor Peter Hedglon requested a special meeting to “go over the new justice center and look at options on financing the project.” That meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

North Lake Street Bridge

City Engineer Jim Bacher discussed new business that he asked to be placed on the Oct. 20 agenda concerning the North Lake Street Bridge, which spans the CSX railroad tracks. Bacher said county highway Superintendent Joseph Wisinski requested the city keep the North Lake Street Bridge closed throughout the winter.

According to Bacher, the surface of the bridge will be ready by the end of the year, but Wisinski fears road salt and snowplows will take a toll on the new surface. The city owns the bridge but the county maintains it, he said.

After the meeting adjourned, Councilman Rob Brown told the Madison County Courier that this is an issue that will need to be discussed further because North Lake Street is the only legal route for snowmobilers to travel through the city.

“There is a trail that goes through there,” Brown said.

The bridge has been closed for construction since May of this year after being flagged by the state Department of Transportation last October. Travel for motorists living north of the railroad has been inconvenient. Cut off from other means of ingress and egress by the Thruway and railroad, the only access to North Lake Street homes has been by way of Route 46 north of the city.

In other news

The council received and placed on file the conceptual design report for improvements to the Glenmore Dam.

A budget amendment of $2,800 from flag football revenues to recreation contractual was authorized.

Placed on file was the final assessment roll for curb and sidewalk construction of the West Sands Street construction project. A public hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 15.

Also placed on file was the ordinance for the dedication of Willow Tree Terrace in the Willow Wood Meadows subdivision.

The council received a letter from Oneida’s Downtown committee asking if it would consider waiving the city’s current sign permit fee. George Clark, who serves on the committee, asked the council if a public hearing would be required to change the ordinance on sign permit fees. City Clerk Sue Pulverenti said she believed so.

Hedglon told Clark that the next step would be whether any member of the council wanted to address the issue or put it on the agenda.

Approved was a budget transfer of $12,500 from annual street maintenance to casket factory demolition to remove the smoke stack.

The council authorized National Grid to install a street light pole on Lynnburt Street.

The council entered into executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The Common Council will meet again Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

Martha Conway contributed to this story.

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Oneida: New Fire Truck Discussion put on Hold

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