Advertisement
On Tuesday, December 3, the City of Oneonta’s Common Council initially declined to pass the tentative 2025 budget that they had approved on November 19. When put to a second vote, six of the seven council members consented to pass the 2025 budget of $20 million, with the caveat that there would be future budget cuts and solutions to cover the deficit while drawing down less of the reserves.…
The Charter Review Committee of the Oneonta Common Council met on Thursday, July 20 to discuss potential changes to the city’s governing document. Chairman Scott Harrington (R-6th Ward) and members Len Carson (R-5) and Kaytee Lipari Shue (D-4) met with City Attorney David Merzig to discuss a potential amendment that would allow a majority of the Common Council to remove members of boards and commissions.…
READ ATTORNEY MERZIG’S OPINION Richfield Board Ponders Disputed Plan’s Future RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Oneonta attorney David Merzig has determined the Town of Richfield’s new – and disputed – zoning code might not survive a court challenge. And the town board plans to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, with new Town Attorney Peter Hobaica to determine whether and how to set it aside and perhaps start anew, said newly elected Town Supervisor Nick Palevsky. The plan, which envisioned the…
ONEONTA HOTEL CASE IN COURT Lawyer: City Hall Won’t Take Blame For Deaths By PARKER FISH • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – In the first court hearing in City Hall efforts to evict tenants from the deteriorating former Oneonta Hotel building, City Attorney David Merzig made the city’s opinion very clear. “We’re at the end of our ropes,” Merzig said today in state Supreme Court here. “We are not going to be held responsible if there is a fire in…
Judge Coccoma Tells City, Town To Negotiate Temporary Fire Pact By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – A state Supreme Court judge this morning ordered the City of Oneonta and Town of Oneonta Fire District #1 to negotiate an extension to the current contract so the Oneonta Fire Department can continue protecting homes and businesses after midnight Dec. 31. “It’s not the role of the court to negotiate a contract,” said Judge Michael V. Coccoma. “But I’ll make myself available.” During the hour-long hearing in…