By Jake Palmateer
ONEONTA_ The Common Council is expected to vote Tuesday on offering the city chamberlain job to an East Meredith resident.
Meg Hungerford, a former candidate for Delaware County treasurer, is the lead prospective city chamberlain after the resignations of two newly-hired replacements for David Martindale, who retired from the post June 30.
Aldermen approved John Zielinski's appointment Aug. 18 at an annual salary of $65,000. Zielinski, of the Utica area, was previously employed by Mohawk Valley EDGE, an economic-development organization serving Herkimer and Oneida counties.
He resigned about two weeks later for health reasons, according to city officials.
Zielinski replaced Bryan Gazda, who was appointed June 2. Gazda was to take over as chamberlain from Martindale, whose last day was June 30, officials said.
Gazda resigned June 17, saying he received a better offer at another municipality.
Aldermen were excited about Hungerford earlier in the hiring process, but Zielinski was willing to move to the city, Oneonta Mayor John Nader said.
"I think that ultimately, we wound up with outstanding candidates," Nader said.
A local law authorizing the city chamberlain to live outside the city of Oneonta is also on the agenda. A public hearing for that law is scheduled for the start of the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Under the city's charter, certain designated city administrators and officials, including the chamberlain, must reside in the city.
Nader said the city may look to change its residency requirements for other city positions during an anticipated charter-revision process.
"That's one of the things that will be worth our while to look at," Nader said.
The local law would allow an exception for just the chamberlain position, Nader said.
If she is hired and the local law passes, Hungerford would not have to move to the city.
Hungerford lost the Republican Primary in 2005 against Delaware County Treasurer Beverly Shields. Hungerford went on to a third-place finish in the general election on the Independence party line against Shields and Democratic candidate Russell Schebesta.
Hungerford, 33, is a former auditor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General's Office, and a former senior municipal affairs examiner for the state Comptroller's Office. She operates her own accounting and consulting business and works with local governments.
In other business Tuesday:
"¢ Aldermen are expected to award the bid for the Memorial Walkway project to Clark Companies of Delhi for $726,287. The Common Council will also vote on the plan for funding the project mainly through state grants and a parks-improvement endowment.
"¢ The Common Council is expected to vote on the funding formula and bid award for the milling and paving of West End Avenue. Cobleskill Stone Products submitted a winning bid of $370,885. State highway funding and the issuance of $184,000 in municipal bonds would pay for the construction if it is approved.
