April 23, 2024
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Utica conducts its last meeting in current Village Hall

Dec. 9 meeting planned in new village complex

By Tom Collins
Utica Village President Dave Stewart

He'll soon have a new office. Utica Mayor David Stewart exits the current Village Hall on Monday, which is fitting because the Village Board will next month hold its first meeting in the former Waltham South School, which is ready to begin its next life as Utica's municipal complex. (Scott Anderson)

Utica held its final meeting Monday in the village offices on South Clark Street. Next month’s will be in the new municipal complex.

The repurposing of the old school is far enough along the Dec. 9 meeting will be held in the new council chambers. The Utica Village Board voted 5-0 to adopt a new meeting schedule — the board will continue meeting each second Thursday — and to be held in the new complex.

“(Monday night) will be the last meeting held here (the current village hall),” Mayor David Stewart said, “but the staff still will be here until mid-to-late January,” Stewart said.

Utica acquired the vacant Waltham South School, the former Utica Grade School, for $135,000, with the plan of expanding office space, using the gymnasium as a village recreation center and adding business incubators. (The Utica Police Department already is housed in the current village hall and will remain there.)

A new sign reads North Utica Village Hall and Community Center in Utica on Wednesday Nov. 9, 2021. The Village purchased the former Waltham South School building last year and converted it into offices, meeting rooms and a community center. The building is about ninety percent complete and will be open officially at the beginning of 2022.

A new sign reads North Utica Village Hall and Community Center in Utica on Wednesday Nov. 9, 2021. The Village purchased the former Waltham South School building last year and converted it into offices, meeting rooms and a community center. The village's next board meeting will be in the new facility. (Scott Anderson)

The village board also approved its first regular program for the recreation center. A Youth Basketball Program for children in first through fourth grades (maximum 30 kids per section) will be two nights a week starting the week of Jan. 10 and ending the week of Feb. 14.

A fee will be imposed to families to recoup costs. The village board approved the program at a cost not to exceed $4,000 annually.

In other matters, the village board:

  • Approved a five-year contract with iFiber Communications to provide services for the new municipal complex and the police department. Cost: $ 1,500 annually plus a one-time charge of $5,450
  • Announced the Santa Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 18
  • Approved $5,988 in advertising with Starved Rock Country Magazine
  • Agreed to purchase of a new Salt Spreader not to exceed $7,000
Utica Village President Dave Stewart

Utica Village President Dave Stewart, poses for a photo in the council chambers at the Utica Village Hall on Monday Nov. 29, 2021. You'll see Stewart at these same desks next month but in the new municipal complex, where the Dec. 9 meeting will be held. (Scott Anderson)