Task Force Briefs City Council On Solar Permits, Urban Forests By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – The sustainability task force wants to make it easier for homeowners to let the sunshine in – with solar panels, that is. “We’ve brought forward a unified solar permit that makes it easier to go through the process of getting permits for rooftop solar,” said Mark Davies, a member of the Sustainability Task Force during tonight’s meeting of the Common Council. “If…
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Move Qualifications Out Of Charter, Panel Says Residency Requirement Remains in Charter By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Mayor Herzig’s ad hoc Charter Review Committee last evening proposed removing the qualifications for the city manager from the charter, putting them in a job description, like all other positions. That would allow Common Council to change them by a majority vote. “No other job has their requirements outlined in the charter,” said Committee member and Council member Melissa Nicosia,…
New Council Convenes …And Gets Good News…
Common Council OKs Extension Of Fire Pact Until Valentine’s Day By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – With less than 72 hours before the expiration of its fire contract Town of Oneonta Fire District #1, Common Council this afternoon voted to extend the contract 45 days, as recommended by state Supreme Court Judge Michael V. Coccoma at last Thursday’s hearing. “It’s unfortunate that this is how we have to do business,” said Mayor Gary Herzig during the special meeting. “But I’m confident that…
City Council May Vote On Fire Pact Tonight ONEONTA – Common Council members tonight will be asked to vote on the Town of Oneonta Fire District #1’s offer of a “mid-to high $800,000” contract for fire protection to cover the East End, Southside and West End sections of the town. “That’s a number below this year’s contract of $946,000,” said Mayor Gary Herzig. “They’re basing it on the historical formula, but without including ambulance billing and administrative costs.” Council members…
BULLETIN Van der Sommen Over Hennessy, But Tight Races In 4th, 5th Wards ONEONTA – Independent Paul Van der Sommen, proprietor of the Oneonta Tennis Club, appears to have defeated veteran Common Council member Maureen Hennessy, a Democrat, in the city’s First Ward. However, Republican Council member Madolyn Palmer in Ward 5 and her challenger, Democrat Dana Marie Levinson, were within a couple of votes of each other. In the three-way race in Ward 4, the Democrat, Michelle Osterhoudt, and independent…
Rose Avenue Residents Ask Council For Reduced Speed, Cleaner Streets By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Armed with a petition bearing 169 signatures, including from several health officials, John Woessner, 29 Rose Ave., asked Common Council this evening to limit speeds on his street to 15 mph and to clean the streets, which are often dusty from traffic from the commercial zone where Otsego Ready Mix, Eastman Associates and Northern Eagle Beverages are located. “This is a health issue,”…
Russ Southard Will Fill In When Mayor Is Out Of City…
Oneonta’s Paul Van Der Sommen Files As Independent Candidate In Ward 1 Paul van der Sommen, Oneonta Tennis Club owner, has filed a petition with the county Board of Elections to run for Common Council in Ward 1. He will be facing Maureen Hennessy, the Ward 1 incumbent. In Oneonta races, mayoral candidate Gary Herzig, a Democrat, has also filed to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot as an independent. In the Ward 4 race, both Jeff Back and Republican…
Council Fails To Gain Majority To Approve Hungerford Stipend ONEONTA – With her allies – Council members Mike Lynch and Larry Malone – absent from this evening’s Common Council meeting, a motion to give Acting City Manager Meg Hungerford a $31,771 stipend failed for lack of a majority. The vote in favor of the stipend was 4-2, with Dave Rissberger and Bob Brzozowski voting no. Rissberger specifically cited budget concerns. “This isn’t a reflection on the job Meg is doing,”…