Winter Newsletter

Village of Oriskany Falls

"In The Valley"

Incorporated 1888

College Hill Water Project

At last the College Hill Water Project has been completed. For the past ten years there has been talk of replacing the water main on College Hill. The 2” water main was upgraded to a 6”. The Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees hired CCI, Inc from Canastota to replace the water main.

The job was complete in less than a week. The Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees discussed hiring a contractor to connect the homeowners to the new water main but decided to save the Village tax payers money and have the Village DPW installed the service lines. At this time they have successfully completed 5 connections with no problems. Good job guys.

This upgrade was extremely important to deliver a better quality not pressure of water. The residents of College Hill are satisfied with the outcome from the Water Project, not counting the restoration. The Village DPW will be restoring their lawns in the spring.

Thank you for your patience during this upgrade.

2009 Village Election

Election Day is drawing near. This years Election is to be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at the Village Clerks Office, 185 North Main Street, Oriskany Falls, from 12PM until 9PM. Election Day is normally held on Tuesdays but since Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day it was moved.

The positions coming up are for the Mayor and 2 Trustees. These positions are for a term of 2 years each.

In order to vote in this election you need to be a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age or older and a resident of the Village for thirty days or more before the Village Elections. If you are not a registered voter you may get a New York State Voter Registration Form at the Village Hall and send it to the County Board of Elections before March 7, 2009.

If you plan on running for a position on the Village Board in this years election the Village Clerk is not allowed to give advice on what to do or give dates for appropriate deadlines. If you have any questions you may contact the County Board of Elections or you may hire an Attorney to receive required information. The Village Clerk will only receive the required paperwork for interested residents. Good Luck to all who wish to run for a seat at the table.

Building Permits

To apply for a Building Permit you will need to get an application from the Village Hall during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8:30AM through 4:30PM. Building Permits are valid for 12 months, after that you will need to apply for a renewal.

The Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees adopted a new Building Permit Fee Schedule. In addition to the residential and commercial building permits there are swimming pool, sign, fence and deck or porch fees.

Lastly, included this year is a “failure to show for inspection” fee of $75. Each time the Codes Enforcement Officer sets up an appointment for inspection of your property and you fail to show you will get a letter stating that you owe $75 and will be billed for the expense. If you fail to pay the fee it will be put on to your Property Tax.

Local Laws adopted through 2008

Through out the year the Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees have adopted several Local Laws. A brief description of each law is outlined below.

Local Law #1 “Revised Sewer Charge Law” of 2008, this Law was put into effect to change the quarterly sewer charge.

Local Law #2 “Revised Sanitation Law” of 2008, the purpose of this law is for the Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees to adopt by resolution a schedule for providing the pick-up of garbage, recyclables and trash from the residences and business establishments in the Village of Oriskany Falls.

 Local Law # 3 “Brush, Grass and Weeds” of 2008, The purpose of this law is to promote the public health by the removal of fire and health hazards by requiring the owners of land to cut, trim or remove brush, grass or weeds. If a violation of this law occurs and no action is taken then the Village Codes Enforcement Officer has the right to enforce the Village DPW to remove the weeds and charge a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $500 per event. Each day a violation continues after notice of violation shall constitute a separate violation of this law. No additional notices shall be required for continuing violations, and an additional penalty of $25 will be applied against the owner of said premises for each day the violation exists.

Local Law # 4 “Rapid Entry System” of 2008, The Village of Oriskany Falls has recognized the importance of providing the Village of Oriskany Falls Volunteer Fire Department rapid entry into locked buildings. The delay in gaining entry can result in substantial property damage, the potential for rapid-fire extension and increased danger for the fire fighters. To assist the Fire Department in gaining rapid entry, the Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees adopts a Fire Department Rapid Entry Knox Box System that is located on the outside of the buildings.

Winter Maintenance

The winter months are here, and that means so is the snow. The Village DPW will be working hard to keep the roads and sidewalks clear of snow banks.

This activity seems to make a mess for the spring, to try to help the Village DPW minimize the mess with yards please put up sidewalk markers. The sidewalks usually get cleaned in the early morning hours when its dark, please be patient with the Village DPW, they try hard to get it done as fast as possible. Also, it is extremely important that you keep your vehicles off of the road and sidewalks through the winter months so the Village, Town and County can keep the snow off the road/sidewalks. If your vehicle is in their way you will get a ticket and possibly have your car removed. Enjoy the snow and have fun. Just a reminder the Village sidewalks are plowed as a courtesy.