Storm Damages Legion

The severe storm and tornadoes that rocked the area early Sunday, June 22 alerted Village of Oriskany Falls officials that work is needed on the infrastructure.

At last week’s Village Board meeting, Board members commended Superintendent of Streets Geoff Stevens for the proactive steps taken by the department hours before the storm hit.

Even with those precautions, Oriskany Falls sustained significant damage with residences having water damage, the top of College Hill washed out and flooding happened at the bear caves.

Hit hard was the Kelley-Phillips American Legion Post, which is near the creek. Water and mud poured into the building, rendering the facility and equipment unable to be used.

Legion officials estimated last week that it will cost $30,000 to make repairs and reopen.

The Village put up a dumpster to help residents clean out the damage to their homes, mainly along Madison Street.

The need for work to be done prompted Mayor Colin Idzi and Board members to discuss alternatives to replacing the Oriskany Falls Fire Department truck stationed in Knoxboro.

The solution had appeared to be to put the truck’s cab and chassis on a new body at a cost of $400,000.

This is in addition to the $14,000 in repairs needed through a recent assessment of the truck.

This solution would be less expensive than buying a new truck at an estimated $800,000.

On the repairs, the Fire Department recommended doing them all but one at a cost of $9,000, which has been budgeted.

While no one from the fire ...