July 02, 2025
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Utica confident of moving into the village complex by Jan. 1

Flooring contract awarded, keeps renovations on schedule

By Tom Collins

Utica's new municipal complex, where Mayor David Stewart is seen leading a March tour, is on pace to be finished by New Year's Eve. The village board approved a flooring contract Thursday that should enable the village to meet its fingers-crossed goal of moving in by the end of 2021. (Scott Anderson)

Utica’s mayor is increasingly optimistic of making his fingers-crossed goal of moving from the Village Hall to the new municipal complex by year’s end.

Thursday, the Utica Village Board approved a $28,000 contract with Cetwinski Construction to install flooring starting the day after Labor Day. With the painting nearly complete, Mayor David Stewart reported move-in day before Jan. 1 looks doable.

“The fact they’re starting after Labor Day,” Stewart said approvingly, “I think we could make that deadline.”

The village is in the process of converting the former Waltham South School into a municipal complex with meeting chambers, staff offices, business incubators and a recreation center in the school gym. Improvements were needed, but Village Engineer Kevin Heitz has been pleased with the pace and quality of work.

“These guys are making this building look brand new,” Heitz said of the painting contractor, who’s close to finished. “He’s done an amazing job.”

Separately, the village approved sidewalk improvements outside Country Kids, which is finishing up a permanent structure to house a farmers market with limited menu service. The village agreed to abet the project by improving the sidewalk in front of where the Michelini family is completing the farmers market.

“I think everyone will agree that’s really come along nicely,” Heitz said.

Finally, Utica police are urging people attending the Craft Beer (Aug. 28) and Vintage Wine festivals (Sept. 18-19) to use crosswalks and to avoid jaywalking during the events. The village anticipates large crowds and police are trying to manage the pedestrian traffic safely.

“I suspect Vintage Wine is going to be just crazy,” Stewart said.