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Lee shared, “During 2019, $843,517.00 of the fund balance was used due to investing over $1 million into equipment needs. (In) 2020, the pandemic hit. Due to the leadership of the excellent department heads, over $2 million of expenses were delayed due to the unforeseen consequences of the pandemic, which meant that those delayed expenditures needed to be realized in the future.…
The November 19 Oneonta Common Council meeting attracted about 25 concerned citizens, the equivalent of a full house. There were 20 motions on the agenda. The council debated various issues for more than four hours. Just before 10 p.m., the council approved the proposed 2025 budget and voted to exceed the tax cap. By this time, only three members of the audience remained. Two were city employees, Brian Knapp, the fire chief, and Chris Yacobucci, director of Public Works.…
Our collective vision for 27 Market Street is inspired by those ideals, and we’re encouraged that much of the public discourse has been productive. In convening dozens of one-on-one and group meetings, making multiple presentations to the Common Council, and participating in various public forums, we have listened to ideas, shared information, answered questions and concerns, and worked collaboratively with all who have an interest in the project.…
“Having watched the spirit of our community fracture during these past two months, and holding, as I do, the ideal of collaboration and respect for one another, I was forced to a difficult decision,” Mayor Drnek said in an e-mail on Wednesday, March 27.…
Need for housing of all types has been identified by the City of Oneonta in its own comprehensive plan. Need for housing of all types has been identified by the Village of Cooperstown and by the NY Forward Local Planning Committee. Why, then, are the RSS and Averill Road projects so controversial?…
As of press time on Tuesday, no decision had been made regarding the housing project solicited by the City of Oneonta and proposed by Rehabilitation Support Services. The Common Council is expected to vote on the project on Tuesday, April 2.…
Beginning this week, Iron String press will feature a weekly poll question to help gauge public opinion on various topics of interest.…
The proposed Rehabilitation Support Services housing project at 27 Market Street has been met with strong public push-back, but city officials contend that misinformation, disinformation and fear are driving the response.…
City of Oneonta community members who call themselves Citizens That Care held their own Town Hall meeting on Sunday, March 3, in response to not feeling heard by Common Council members and Mayor Mark Drnek at a city-sponsored Town Hall on February 27.…
The City of Oneonta’s request to RSS to consider developing 27 Market Street is not the first time this organization has been called upon to step up. In the 1980s, Mayor Brenner sought our help in providing housing and support services for residents being deinstitutionalized. We have invested in this community for more than 30 years, utilizing our knowledge of the housing market and resources as a non-profit developer.…