OSWEGO, NY – Here’s a glimpse of the some of the news from the past 12 months.
Governor Cuomo Announces Completion Of $14 Million Route 104 Rehabiltation In Oswego County
Governor Andrew Cuomo Dec. 8 announced the completion of a $14 million project that rehabilitated nearly four miles of Route 104 in western Oswego County.
The project was first announced during the Central New York “Capital for a Day” event in September 2015 as part of a 47-point plan to advance the region through investments in infrastructure, housing and higher education.
Route 104 in Oswego County is a National Scenic Byway and part of the New York State Seaway Trail.
“Route 104 is a vital corridor for Oswego County and the Niagara Frontier, supporting commerce, tourism and recreational opportunities for the entire region’s economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “This project modernizes and upgrades the highway while improving safety for all of the motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who depend upon this critical roadway.”
The construction project reconstructed and rehabilitated 3.7 miles of Route 104 between Route 104A and the Oswego western city line.
Port Director Kirincich Resigns Post
On Dec. 5, the Board of Directors of the Port of Oswego Authority accepted the resignation of the POA Executive Director Zelko N. Kirincich.
Communications related to the daily operations of the POA should be directed to the manager of administrative services of the Port of Oswego Authority.
Communications related to the governance and leadership of the Port of Oswego Authority should be directed to the chairman of the board of the POA.
Earlier this summer the director came under investigation by the State Inspector General’s Office regarding some receipts and a large amount of missing soy beans.
Free Valet Parking Available for Oswego Hospital Patients
Patients at Oswego Hospital can now take advantage of a perk that will keep them warm and dry when they arrive by vehicle at the healthcare facility: free valet parking services.
Oswego Hospital began offering the complimentary valet parking service Dec. 4 to patients using one of the hospital’s many services. Motorists, who wish to take advantage of this new patient initiative, need to just drive up to the hospital’s main covered entrance between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
A uniformed attendant from Valet Park of America will greet patients when they arrive.
Similar to valet services at a hotel, motorists will give their keys to the attendant, who will park their car nearby. When the patient is ready to return home, the attendant will retrieve their car, bringing it back to the hospital’s covered entrance.
Patients who need to remain at the hospital after 4:30 p.m. will be able to retrieve their car keys from hospital lobby security personnel.
There is, however, one thing different from a hotel valet service.
Oswego Hospital is providing this service for free and tipping the attendants is not allowed.
Council OKs Reforms To Oswego’s HUD Program
Mayor Billy Barlow’s proposed comprehensive reforms to the city’s HUD Section 8 Rental Assistance Program were approved by the Common Council by a 6-1 vote.
Council President Eric VanBuren cast the lone nay vote.
“After hearing the plan would be adopted then submitted and then brought back for revisions, it seems like we’re putting the cart before the horse,” he explained following the meeting. “Seems like it would make more sense to send it to committee and find out what we have to change, change it and then submit it. I’m not knocking the plan. I just feel that any other proposal like this would be sent through committee first. It seems like it makes sense to have it vetted first and then sent back.”
Following a public hearing on the plan, at which two people shared their concerns, the mayor highlighted the four key proposed updates and revisions to the city’s Section 8 Administrative Plan
He wants to make the program “more of a hand-up program rather than a hand-out program,” Mayor Barlow said.
The mayor wants to upgrade the rental assistance program’s inspection standards.
Landlords accepting HUD vouchers would be required to obtain rental permits from the city and abide by city and state code, he explained.
If properties fail to meet the required housing quality standards inspection, the landlords would be cited with a $100 fee after the first re-inspection.
An additional $50 fee would be assessed for each ensuing inspection failure.
Legislators Approve 2018 County Budget
After a brief discussion and a handful of amendments, the Oswego County Legislature adopted the 2018 budget.
Kevin Gardner, out-going chairman of the legislature and in-coming county treasurer, said he feels the county is in a good place right now.
The $202,326,341 budget’s tax levy will be $43.8 million – the generic tax rate comes out to be $7.70 per thousand, the same as it was for 2017 and 2016, Gardner pointed out.
Gardner thanked the legislators “from both sides of the aisle” as well as all the department heads who worked to create the 2018 budget.
“I think this legislature did a good job on the budget. We stabilized taxes again for another year,” Gardner said after his last meeting as chairman. “I think the county is in a very good place. I think the legislature next year will do a fantastic job. It’s been a pleasure serving as chair of this legislature.”
The Minority Caucus opposed the use of money from the fund balance for the budget.
Even though the county has used funds from its reserves to balance budgets, the county treasurer-elect said he “absolutely believes” the county’s finances are in a good spot.
“Some of the general fund should go back to the taxpayers,” he added. “It’s their money. We shouldn’t hold it hostage. Let it go back to them. You know, we haven’t cut services, I’m very confident that we’re in a good place.”
E-Cigarettes Now Banned from Indoor Public Places in NYS
The Oswego County Health Department reminded residents that the use of electronic cigarettes is now banned indoors everywhere that smoking tobacco products are prohibited in New York.
A law extending the ban was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in October and took effect Nov. 21.
Previously, the use of e-cigarettes was banned from the grounds of public and private schools, preschools, nursery schools and elementary and secondary school properties and any vehicles used to transport children or school personnel.
County Legislator John Proud (District 7, Mexico), President of the Oswego County Board of Health, said the County Health Department will enforce the ban on a complaint basis.
The board of health studied the impact of e-cigarettes for several months and voted in August to support legislation extending the ban to include vaping. Vaping means the use of an electronic cigarette.
“Electronic nicotine and vapor delivery systems, which include e-cigarettes, vaping pens, e-hookah and similar devices, typically contain nicotine,” said Legislator Proud. “Some ingredients found in e-cigarettes are considered toxic. There is no regulation of what chemicals e-cigarettes contain or how much nicotine the user is inhaling. These factors could lead to long-term adverse health effects for e-cigarette users and bystanders.”
Winter Parking Ban Begins
Effective immediately on Dec. 12, the parking of any vehicle on any city street or highway shall be prohibited in “Residential Areas” from midnight to 6 a.m., and in “Downtown Areas” from 2 to 6 a.m.
This restriction is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other permanent parking restrictions that may apply to vehicles.
The Winter Parking Ban states: There shall be imposed a ban on parking on all streets within the city limits of the city of Oswego from December 1st of each year until March 31st of the following year. The Mayor may, at the Mayor’s discretion, initiate the ban earlier than December 1st, or extend the ban beyond March 31st, based upon weather conditions. During the period of the ban, no vehicle may park on the streets of the city of Oswego.
The only exception to the ban will be for winter parking permits applied for, and issued, pursuant to Section 257-27-D of the City Code.
County Approves Feasibility Study for Waste Water Treatment Plant in Volney
On December 14, the Oswego County Legislature approved a feasibility study associated with the reuse of the Waste Water Treatment Plant at the former Miller Brewing facility in Volney.
As part of the approval, the Oswego County Legislature agreed to pay $49,000 toward the study.
The remaining $49,000, of the $98,000 study, will be paid by Operation Oswego County and the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency.
C&S Engineers, Inc., of Syracuse, will be retained to conduct the study.
The feasibility study will focus upon the potential reactivation of the former Miller Brewing waste water treatment plant for the purpose of it serving as a regional waste water treatment facility.
The study will identify and document the reasons for undertaking the project, including conveyance limitations, plant capacity, and consent orders.
It will also address the Oswego County Economic Advancement Plan findings of the need to enhance infrastructure capacity in order to advance economic development potential.
The study will also include a conceptual 20-year operations and maintenance budget, while identifying potential infrastructure ownership and operation arrangements options.
Mulcahey Recognized For Accomplishments On County Legislature
The Oswego County Legislature honored Legislator Jacob Mulcahey during its monthly meeting in December.
Legislature Chairman Kevin Gardner presented a plaque to Mulcahey and thanked him for his tenacity, positive attitude and dedication to his constituents over the last eight years.
Through four terms as legislator for District 15 (Oswego), Mulcahey has served on all seven Legislature committees.
He was recognized as one of Oswego County’s “40 Under 40” in 2013 and received the Tourism Ambassador Hall of Fame Award in 2015. His accomplishments include the creation of the popular Oswego Paddlefest and Rock the Lock event that draws hundreds of participants from across the state every year.
He also helped establish the Base Camp Oswego County winter camping event that celebrates Oswego County’s pristine environment and abundant natural resources.
Oswego District Plans Large Capital Project, March Vote Set
Members of the Oswego School Board got a glimpse of a proposed multi-million capital project aimed at refurbishing the district’s aging schools.
The projected cost of the plan is $60,180,000.
Local funds to be applied total $4,000,000. State building aid is expected to pay for 63.4 percent of the work.
The estimated average local share per year would be $547,577. And the impact per $1,000 full value is anticipated to be 38 cents.
For the owner of a $100,000 home that would mean $37.87.
The impact on the tax levy is estimated at 2.14 percent.
Every five years, New York State schools are required to go through a state mandated building condition survey.
During the last survey, more than $41 million worth of work was identified across the district. During the next five years, it must be addressed in some form.
Oswego Woman Trains For Cross-Country Benefit Sojourn
Kristine Gillingham owns Joslin Farms and Bakery in Oswego. “It is my busy season for Italian cookies and goat milk lotion,” she said. However, in the back of her mind, she’s making big plans for the coming year.
“My story is long. It started about seven years ago. I was never handed the best of genes. I come from a family of diabetics with high blood pressure and heart disease. My mother was a double amputee,” she told Oswego County Today.
“I have always had a dream of walking across the United States, from Oswego to Washington DC and then on to Crater Lake in Oregon. I have always dreamed of going to Crater Lake. To me it’s serenity; the most beautiful place,” she said.
But it’s going to be a challenge. For the last seven years, she has been in and out of hospitals, urgent cares, emergency rooms and doctors’ offices almost weekly. All doctors, up until October 2015, told her that she had a cardiac issue.
“I do,” she admitted. “But in October 2015, an ER doctor told me I wasn’t having a stroke, as the other doctors thought. I was having seizures and a lot of them daily – upwards of 30 a day.”
She told herself, “If I could get my health controlled, I would live my dream and walk across the United States.” After literally hundreds of appointments, she’s still not controlled with her seizures, “but close.”
Normally, she walks by herself, not many people will walk the distances she does, she explained.
“I some times average 25 to 30 miles a day. I am usually gone about six to seven hours a day. I also walk in all weather. There are no excuses with my training. I am faithful,” she said. “I do have a gym membership. But, due to not being able to drive, I can’t get there.”
People have told her the cross-country trek can not be done. But she is still planning to leave April 6, 2018, from City Hall in Oswego.
Justin White Receives Annual Tourism Ambassador Award
The Oswego County Tourism Advisory Council recently awarded its 2017 Tourism Ambassador Hall of Fame Award to Oswego County Historian Justin White.
David Rath, chairman of the Tourism Advisory Council; County Legislator Roy E. Reehil, District 5, chairman of the County Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning Committee; David Turner, director of the Oswego County Community Development, Tourism and Planning Department; and Janet Clerkin, tourism and public information coordinator, presented the award at the council’s December meeting.
“Each year, this recognition is awarded to an individual, business or organization for their extraordinary support and commitment of time and energy to the Oswego County tourism industry,” said Rath. “Justin is always ready to share his expertise in tourism-related projects and events. With this award, we thank him for his ardent dedication and commitment to promoting heritage tourism in Oswego County.”
White is County Historian and administrator of the Oswego County Records Center.
He has served in leadership roles in several heritage organizations including as board president for the Oswego County Historical Society and the Heritage Foundation of Oswego County and as trustee of the Oswego Town Historical Society.
White has presented countless lectures on local history topics, led history tours for travel writers and visiting groups, and introduced thousands of local students to the fascinating history in their own back yard.
Mayor Barlow Declares State of Emergency for City of Oswego
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow declared a State of Emergency in the city of Oswego on Dec. 27 due to more than three feet of snowfall overnight.
Oswego residents should avoid all unnecessary travel and should not park on city streets for the next 24 hours, he said.
“I am urging all Oswego residents to please not travel on City streets and do not park on city streets until the emergency declaration is rescinded. I have directed all departments and agencies of the city of Oswego to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary,” said Mayor Barlow.
Oswego City Hall was closed on December 27.
Mayor Barlow Lifts State of Emergency
On Dec. 28, Mayor Billy Barlow lifted the State of Emergency in the city of Oswego and lifted the travel advisory put in place during the Dec. 27 winter storm.
Residents resumed travel and the normal winter parking laws are now back in effect.
Mayor Barlow praised the efforts of the Oswego Department of Public Works for their around the clock response to the storm and says the city will focus on snow removal in the comings days.
“This storm was unique because of the intense snowfall in such a short period of time. We received approximately three feet of snow in a matter of hours and still managed to improve the condition of our streets throughout the morning and afternoon,” Barlow said. “We had all city resources deployed, managed to clear the streets by late afternoon and will begin the snow removal process starting today (Dec. 28) to cut back snowbanks, clear downtown and tend to our busy intersections. I appreciate the assistance from Governor Cuomo, New York State Department of Transportation and our Department of Public Works, Oswego Fire Department and Oswego Police Department. Most importantly, I appreciate the cooperation and patience displayed by Oswego city residents throughout the day yesterday.”
DOT Crews Work Around The Clock To Help Oswego, Lewis Counties Dig Out From Recent Storm
New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul Karas Dec. 30 thanked DOT employees for their tremendous efforts in helping residents in Oswego and Lewis counties dig out from the recent storm, with accumulation of more than five feet of snow in some areas.
At the request of the city of Oswego and the towns of Redfield and Boylston, six snowblower crews and three grader crews endured single digit temperatures to assist with the recent storm cleanup. These efforts were conducted on top of clean-up efforts on the state road network, which were also in full effect before, during, and after the storm.
Separately, the village of Lowville in Lewis County also requested assistance from DOT, and the agency provided one snowblower crew during an overnight shift on December 28. Crews endured frigid temperatures and completed the work around 7 a.m.
Acting Commissioner Karas was on the ground to assess the situation in Oswego County and thank employees for their hard work.
“I can’t say enough good things about the team here at DOT, their commitment to helping others, and their dedication to the people who depend on them,” Karas said. “Our crews didn’t hesitate when they were asked for help by their neighbors and we will be out there until the job is done. This was a great team effort utilizing both state and local resources to serve the residents in these hard hit areas.”
According to the National Weather Service, more than 60 inches of snow fell on the towns of Redfield and Boylston, while more than 30 inches fell on the village of Lowville and in the city of Oswego.
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