The Common Council recently debated and approved a law change that would grant an exception to Meg Hungerford, a potential city chamberlain. Hungerford lives in East Meredith, and local law requires that the chamberlain live in Oneonta.
The city has struggled to keep this position filled; the fourth person this year is being sought. David Martindale retired June 30. Bryan Gazda was hired as a replacement, but left after taking a higher-paying job elsewhere. John S. Zielinski was the next hire, but he resigned because of health reasons.
We think that the rule change is a beneficial move. The council did what it had to do to be able to offer the job to a qualified person, and a vote about whether to make the offer is planned for Tuesday's meeting.
We encourage the city to consider such a rule change for all positions, as we believe that it's an outdated notion, in most cases, to require an individual who is appointed to a position to live in his or her place of work.
In this case, it seems as though changing the rule is going to create a situation that helps the city by getting a chamberlain appointed who, we hope, will be able to stick around. This is a position in sore need of some consistency, and this decision seems like a step toward achieving that goal.
Grants can help Delhi businesses
An opportunity for Delhi businesses to improve their buildings exists thanks to the Delhi Village N.Y. Main Street program, but time is running out. The Delaware County Local Development Corporation is accepting applications for the final round of facade projects.
The program was established using a $200,000 grant received under the N.Y. Main Street Program, administered through the state Housing Fund Corporation. Through the facade-renovation portion of the program, awards of up to $10,000 are available.
Owners of eligible Main Street commercial buildings have used the funds to repaint facades and install awnings, energy-efficient replacement windows, new business signs and shutters.
We encourage businesses to apply because the program will conclude at the end of the year, and if the money is not used, it will be lost, according to Glenn Nealis, Delaware County Economic Development director. This is a good chance to be able to upgrade a business, and it's timely aid, with the economy being so tough.
Nothing is lost by applying, and much could be gained.
