Common Council To Consider

Billboard Ban, Merger Study

ONEONTA – Two controversies – unhappiness over internally illuminated billboards and a proposed joint town-city study of consolidation – will be addressed when Common Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

• One motion, proposed by Council member Mike Lynch, calls for a one-year moratorium on the billboards. DC Marketing has erected two along I-88, one near the Lettis Highway exit, the other next to the Hampton Inn. Other entities are now considering additional billboards.

The motion expresses concern about “a negative impact on the viewscape and quality of life for the citizens …, as well as a negative economic impact on specific other business interests in the city and surrounding area.”

• A second motion proposing contributing $12,500 toward a $50,000 study by the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester into the potential pluses and minuses of a merger of the city and town of Oneonta. The decision would be contingent on the town contributing its $25. The remaining half would be paid by state CFA grant.