OPL 2017-18 budget approved 423-273

This is the first budget increase for the library in three years

Voters in the Oneida Public Library District approved a 2017-18operating budget of $403,900.

ONEIDA, N.Y. >> The Oneida Public Library passed its proposed $403,900 2017-18 budget by a tally of 423 to 273.

With the voter base passing the budget with a 61 percent approval rate, the OPL will see its operating budget increase for the first time in the last three fiscal years. The budgets for all three of those years was $382,110. OPL officials say that the single greatest contribution to the budget increase is the minimum wage increase mandated by the State of New York.

“We’re very pleased,” said OPL Board of Trustees President Rick Kinsella, adding that the entire board of trust- ees puts in a good deal of hard work making sure the public was aware of the March vote. “We’re happy the public responded and showed support.”

In addition, voters elected Brad Adams with 518 ballots and Katherine Wojciechowski with 534 to five-year terms on the OPL Board of Trustees, starting July 1, 2017. Adams, an Oneida resident, is currently a vice-president at NBT Bank, while Wojciechowski, a resident of Oneida Castle, teaches at Holy Cross Academy in the Town of Vernon.

Last year, the OPL proposed budget was voted down 471378, with 153 more constituents turning out to vote compared to this year.

Almost midway through the day, library and election officials both agreed turnout had been steady, offering that the pace might have been slightly slower than the previous year. “A steady turnout,” OPL Board President Rick Kinsella said when asked to gauge the voter turnout as of 3:30 p.m.

OPL Director Michele Ryan called the turnout “not out of the ordinary.”

Five elect ion workers trained by the Madison County Board of Elections oversee the voting process, and like the OPL officials on scene, their take on the number of voters thus far was the same.

“Fairly steady,” said polling worker Diane Belusar. “There were moments where we’ve been quiet.”

Voters must be registered residents within the Oneida City School District. The Library district has the same borders as the Oneida City School District, which includes all of Oneida city; parts of the towns of Lenox and Lincoln; the villages of Oneida Castle and Durhamville; and a portion of Sylvan Beach, and the towns of Verona, Vernon and Vienna.

Last year, the OPL proposed budget was voted down 471-378, with 153 more constituents turning out to vote compared to this year.

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Registered voters in the Oneida Public Library Special District sign in to vote on the OPL’s proposed 2017-18operating budget and two two board of trustee seats.