Transportation concerns for Towers

ONEIDA, N.Y. » After speaking with residents of the Oneida towers, Ward 5 Councilor Jim Chamberlain brought up some of their concerns at Wednesday’s common council meeting.

“I met with quite a few of the residents. One of their main concerns is transportation, or lack of,” Chamberlain said. “Two of the people have a prescription they go and get that’s $3 and the taxis charge $6 up and $6 back. So they’re spending $12 to get a $3 prescription. And I think we could challenge the taxi services that we have here and why they can’t give them a break.”

Discussion turned to whether the taxi services are charging them full price or not, but Oneida Supervisor Joe Magliocca confirmed it was the regular rate being charged.

“Twelve dollars to go to Walmart,” Chamberlain reaffirmed.

Chamberlain said while some residents do carpool, it’s not a reality for others. He mentioned a

woman who had to rely on her daughter to carpool.

Mayor Leo Matzke said he’s heard similar issues regarding transportation for single mothers.

“Sitting there, talking to them for a period of time, you get to feel their concerns and you feel horrible,” Chamberlain said. “And there’s another concern. Their generator is diesel and when it turns on, the diesel exhaust gets sucked into the ventilation system and there’s two residents that have to step out.”

Chamberlain expressed interest in talkingwith Bob Walters, executive director of the Oneida Housing Authority about the diesel generator.

“They’re there, they’re stuck there and they have concerns,” Chamberlain said.

Quick Hits

Matzke said Saturday’s O.N.E.I.D.A. Strong drug forum on Nov. 4 had 50-plus people in attendance. He said the group wants to get more involved and that he is looking for ways to make that happen.

•A public hearing on the proposed City of Oneida Budget for 2018 will be held on Nov. 21 at 6:30 a.m. at the Oneida Municipal building. The proposed budget is $18.36 million. The proposed total amount to be raised by taxes is $4.12million. The anticipated tax rate per thousand of assessed value for the Inside Tax District is $9 and for the Outside Tax District is $5 as proposed. Copies of the budget are available to the public through the Office of the City Clerk.

The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m.