Construction for new fuel tanks at the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport is expected to start this summer, Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said Tuesday.
At its Tuesday, Feb. 18 meeting at City Hall, the Oneonta Common Council approved the capital budget for the project, which is $889,350. The state Department of Transportation awarded the city $800,415 for the project and the city must contribute $88,935.
The current fuel tanks are below ground, Herzig said. That could be environmentally hazardous because if there’s a leak, it won’t be detected soon enough to stop possible contamination of the Wilber Reservoir, which is downstream of the airport, he said.
The tanks’ replacements will be above ground and their capacity will also be doubled, allowing for fuel to be purchased in greater quantity at a discount, he said.
The council also approved a resolution establishing real property tax reduction for qualifying low-income senior citizens (people aged 65 or older). A sliding scale would be used that would be based upon annual income. For example, those with an income of $18,000 and less would have 50% of their assessed value exempt from taxation and those making $25,500 but less than $26,399.99 would have 5% of their assessed value exempt from taxation.
The city already has this exemption but the way it reads now means that if someone is just slightly above the cutoff, they get no exemption, Herzig said. The new scale would be a graduated threshold instead of a sharp cutoff, he said.
“We want to make it a graduated threshold so people aren’t penalized for being a dollar above the threshold,” Herzig said. “We don’t think its fair that someone would be one dollar over the eligible point and as a result get nothing.”
Third Ward Council Member David Rissberger asked if this would affect people’s eligibility for the School Tax Relief program, to which Herzig replied it wouldn’t.
In other city business, the council:
• Heard from constituents on a law imposing a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for properties that front Market Street within the Mixed Use-1 Zoning District. The code needs to be changed to ensure all other development on Market Street is consistent with the redesign project’s goals, Herzig told The Daily Star on Feb. 4. The purpose of the moratorium is to ensure there’s no development on Market Street before the code changes take effect. The moratorium will be signed into law Wednesday, Feb. 19, Herzig said.
Jonna Peachin, owner of area accounting firm The Peachin Group, questioned why Market Street was singled out.
“I’m just a little concerned about ... why it wasn’t a district-wide or zone-wide moratorium as is normally or standard,” Peachin said. “And why that particular group or part was singled out and if it’s going to become a separate zoning area through this new zoning code that’s being proposed. And if not, then shouldn’t the moratorium really be zone-wide?”
Herzig referred Peachin to speak with city Code Enforcement Officer Stephen Yerly for answers to her questions.
• Held a public hearing, during which no one spoke, regarding amendment of the city code to provide revised standards and regulations associated with fraternity, sorority and membership association houses.
There will be more stringent requirements for creating these houses because of previous problems related to improper upkeep and disruptive behavior, Herzig said. The new requirements will also increase safety for all residents, he said. Existing fraternities and sororities would be grandfathered in. Herzig will sign the ordinance into law Wednesday.
• Recognized two city Employees of the Quarter. Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Scott Burger and Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Mechanic Jason Bouton were recognized for stepping up to help when they saw medical emergencies.
Shweta Karikehalli, staff writer, can be reached at [email protected] or 607-441-7221. Follow her @DS_ShwetaK on Twitter.
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