Public library’s annual election set for today

ONEIDA, N.Y. » On March 2, registered voters residing in the Oneida Public Library’s (OPL) Special Legislature Library District can vote in the election for the one seat on the OPL Board of Trustees that will open up July 1, and they can vote on the board’s proposed operating budget for the library’s upcoming fiscal year (FY), July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022.

Library officials say the only announced candidate for the open board seat is Michael J. Kaiser, currently chair of the City of Oneida Civil Service Commission and member of the city’s Traffic Safety Advisory Board. The operating budget being proposed for the OPL’S FY 2021-2022 is $450,407.

The proposed budget reflects an increase of 1.56 percent over the current fiscal year’s operating budget, while the proposed tax levy of $398,407 shows a 1.77 percent increase over that of the current year’s levy, according to library officials.

“We are very excited about the new building and all of the opportunities it will afford this community. It is a bright and comfortable place to spend your time. We have worked hard to sculpt a budget that encompasses the mandated wage increase to staff while keeping costs low. We look forward to your visit and know you will appreciate this wonderful new facility,” the OPL stated in a press release.

This year’s library vote is scheduled for March 2, from noon to 9 p.m. in the new library facility’s Community Room at 459 Main Street.

Eligible registered voters must reside in the OPL Special District, which is coextensive with the Oneida City School District. The district comprises: the City of Oneida, the Village of Wampsville, and portions of the towns of Lenox and Lincoln in Madison County; and, in Oneida County, the Village of Oneida Castle, the hamlet of Durhamville, and portions of Sylvan Beach and of the towns of Vernon, Verona and Vienna.

JOSHUA WAGNER — MEDIANEWS GROUP The Oneida Public Library is located at 220 Broad St. in Oneida, N.Y.