Saving on NYSEG Bill

The Town of Augusta and the Village of Oriskany Falls are working with MEGA to explore a new program called Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).  The Village and Town held two public education sessions within the past two months and there were over 30 people in attendance.

The Village Board is proposing to adopt Local Law # 1 of 2018 “Adopting a Community Choice Aggregation Program”. The Public Hearing for the proposed law is to be held Tuesday, January 16 at 6:00PM.

As a participant in MEGA’s CCA you may:
-save money on your electric bill
-avoid sudden spikes in the price of your electricity
-stop energy telemarketers and door-to-door sales
-get access to renewable ‘green’ energy

Even after our community joins MEGA’s CCA you have the choice to opt-out and stay with the utility for your electric supply.  There are also opportunities for customers to opt-in to the CCA Program.

While we do not know the exact price for electricity through the CCA right now, bids should go out to ESCO companies in early 2018. The Village will send each resident an opt-out letter, so if you are not interested in being in this program, please look for your letter.

The goal of this program is to save you money!

Housing Grant- Funding Still Available

The 2016 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant is underway! The last grant helped to rehabilitate 14 homes in the Village. Right now eight contracts are underway and four more are in the process of being awarded. Applications are available now; pick yours up at the Village Hall. Don’t wait; you could be a recipient of up to $26,000 to help with home renovations! 

Project work can include; windows & doors, siding, electric, insulation, interior carpentry & exterior, flooring, heating, Masonry, plumbing, painting, chimney repairs, a chair lift for stairs and roofing, just to name a few!

If you apply to this grant it will cost you ZERO DOLLARS. You do however have to provide an application, along with required documentation and you must file a 5-year lien with the County. This means you must live in your rehabilitated home for five years or you will have to pay back the funds to the Village. The amount depreciates over the 5 years.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Please stop at the Village Hall to pick up your packets

(Housing Grant- Funding Still Available continue from page 1)

today. If you have any questions please call Thoma Development directly at 607-753-1433. They are administering our grant and they are very helpful.

Winter Parking

Once again the Village DPW will be working hard to keep the roads and sidewalks clear of snow banks. NY State Law and Village Law prohibit overnight parking on all streets in the Village from November 15 through April 15th. The Town/Village and County work through the night to remove snow. If your vehicle is in their way you will get a ticket and possibly have your car removed. Please consider where you park. Call the Village Hall if you need help to find a spot for your car overnight.  There is NO parking on any village sidewalks at any time throughout the year.

Every spring the Village DPW needs to repair destroyed yards from plowing sidewalks. To prevent this, the Village DPW suggests that homeowners put up sidewalk markers.

The sidewalks are plowed as a convenience to residents and usually get cleaned in the early morning hours. If an emergency arises within the Village, sidewalk plowing will have to wait until the problem is resolved. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to put ice melt on sidewalks, if they need it. Travel with care!

Village Election

This year’s Village Election is to be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Village Clerks Office, 185 North Main Street, Oriskany Falls, from 12PM until 9PM. The positions coming up are for two Trustees with two year terms each.  Term starts April 2018.

Look for notices on when the Republican Caucus will be held, it will be in January. Independent Petitions are available at the Village Hall. 

Fireworks over Oriskany Falls

Planning is underway for the 19th Annual Fireworks Celebration.

The date is Saturday, June 23rd.

There will be a Chicken BBQ at the Alliance Lodge on Sunday, January 14th and Sunday, February 18th at noon to help with the expense of the costly fireworks show.

Donations are being accepted at this time. Volunteers are always needed!

Help to support your local Fireworks Celebration!

***Village Taxes do not pay for this event, it is paid for by donations***

Library Events

Adult Project Club- Will be held the First Wednesday of every month at 10AM. Bring your favorite craft/hobby or come learn something new!

Adult Book Club- Will be held the Second Saturday of every month at 10AM. January's book will be A Red Bird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

Adult Craft- Will be held the Third Wednesday of every month at 10AM. Come make a craft free of charge to take home.

Early Childhood Book Club- Every Monday at 9:45 for children under 5.

Kids Craft- Second Thursday of every month at 4PM

Family Movie Night- Third Thursday of every month at 6PM

We wish to thank all of the patrons, vendors, volunteers, and businesses that helped make our craft show and basket raffle a success this year. We appreciate all of your hard work and generous donations.

Keep an eye out for our sign; we post special events that pop up throughout the year!

HELP WANTED

The Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees regrets to inform you that Superintendent Robert Bowie is retiring May 31, 2018. We are now in the process of receiving applications for his position.

Applicants must have the ability to supervise, do required reports and have a valid CDL license, must have experience in the operation of heavy equipment, mechanical skills, plumbing and electric knowledge. Water and Sewer licenses are required within 1st year from hiring. Salary will be based on qualifications and experience.

 The Village of Oriskany Falls is an equal opportunity employer. Benefits packet goes as follows; Individual Health Insurance Package with Supplemental Insurance and NYS Retirement. First full year of hire will receive one week of vacation and accrue after first year. Upon hiring will be eligible to receive 11paid holidays and 12 paid sick days.

Applications to include resumes, must be addressed to the Mayor and be received at the Village Offices 185 North Main Street, PO Box 669, Oriskany Falls, NY, 13425 no later than February 1, 2017 at 4:00 PM. Applications may be obtained at the Village Hall. A more detailed job description and duties will be available at the time of interview.

List of Accomplishments for 2017

1. Successfully closed out the 2013 CDBG Housing Grant

2. Successfully closed out the 2015 Main Street Grant

3. Helped secure funding to rehabilitated 14 homes in the Village

4. Helped to secure funding to update five businesses in the Village

5.  Paid off two Water Loans!!! Currently no water debt

6. Adopted Local Law # 1 “A local law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c “

7. Replaced all stained glass windows on the Southside of the Stone Church, still need to replace the windows on the North side.

8. Secured $30,000 from Assemblyman William Magee to breach the dam at the reservoir.

9. Held a successful Summer Recreation Program

10. Contract with MEGA to save money on NYSEG bills

11. Purchased a new Bounce House with Slide combo

12. Message Board at Village Hall, new benches, garbage cans, bike racks and planters for downtown.

13. Awarded another $400,000 CDBG Housing grant to rehabilitate another 14 homes.

2018 Monthly Meeting Dates

January 16, 2018 @ 6:30PM       February 12, 2018 @ 6:30PM                 March 19, 2018 @ 6:30PM

April 16, 2018 @ 6:30PM          May 21, 2018 @ 6:30PM                        June 18, 2018 @ 6:30PM

July 16, 2018 @ 6:30PM                        August 20, 2018 @ 6:30PM                    September 17, 2018 @ 6:30PM

October 15, 2018 @ 6:30PM      November 19, 2018 @ 6:30PM           December 17, 2018 @ 6:30PM

All board meetings are open to the public.

Questions/Concerns

Please address any questions or concerns you may have regarding the Village of Oriskany Falls to the Village Board; PO Box 669, Oriskany Falls, NY 13425-0669 or email to vilofalls@cnymail.com. You may also call the Village Hall at 315- 821-7275.

We are here to assist you.

Have a Happy Healthy New year!