Oneonta City

In compliance with State regulations, the Town of Oneonta releases an annual report detailing the quality of your municipal water. This report aims to enhance your understanding of tap water and emphasize the importance of protecting our water sources.

We're pleased to report that last year, your tap water met all State health requirements, with no violations of maximum contaminant levels or other water quality standards. This report provides an overview of last year's water quality, including information about the source of your water, its composition, and how it compares to State standards.

If you have questions about this report or your municipal water, please contact Stanley H. Shaffer, Chief Owner, at 607-433-3470. We encourage residents to stay informed about their water supply. For more information, attend our Board of Public Service meetings held on the first Thursday of each month.

Water Source Information:
Our water supply comes from surface water drawn from Wilber Lake and the Lower Reservoir located off Upper East Street, as well as the Catella Park Well in Neahwa Park. During 2017, our system experienced no restrictions on our water source. Water flows by gravity from the Lower Reservoir and is pumped from Catella Park Well (when in use) through the Water Treatment Plant. After filtration, disinfection, pH adjustment, fluoridation, and corrosion control treatment, the water is pumped to storage tanks and the distribution system.

System Statistics:
The water system serves 15,954 residents in the City of Oneonta and portions of the Town of Oneonta. In 2017, we produced 543 million gallons of water, with a daily average of 1.49 million gallons pumped into the distribution system. Our peak day reached 2.36 million gallons. Of the total, 392 million gallons were delivered to customers, leaving 151 million gallons (28%) unaccounted for, which was used for main flushing, firefighting, and addressed system leakage. The average annual water cost per user in 2017 was $483.27.

Am I eligible to become a member of the Methuen Contributory Retirement System?

1. If you're hired by the City of Methuen, the Methuen School Department, or the Methuen Housing Authority on a permanent basis maintaining a position requiring at least 30 hours per week, you're eligible for membership.
2. Elected Officials earning more than $5,000 per year have 90 days from taking office to become members.

Am I required to become a member of the Methuen Contributory Retirement System?

According to Massachusetts Retirement Law (Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws), membership is mandatory if you meet the eligibility requirements.

What are the different classification groups in the retirement system?

• Group 1: General employees, including clerical, administrative, technical and other personnel not otherwise classified
• Group 2: Certain designated hazardous duty positions
• Group 4: Police officers, firefighters, and other specified hazardous positions

How much am I required to contribute?

You contribute a fixed percentage of your regular compensation plus an additional 2% on any compensation over $30,000 per year through payroll deductions. Your rate is determined by your initial membership date:

• Before January 1, 1975: 5%
• January 1, 1975 through December 31, 1983: 7%
• January 1, 1979 through December 31, 1983: 7% & 2%
• January 1, 1984 through June 30, 1996: 8% & 2%
• July 1, 1996 and after: 9% & 2%

Group 1 members joining on or after April 2, 2012 will have their withholding rate reduced to 6% after achieving 30 years of creditable service.

What happens to my contributions?

The retirement office maintains an individual annuity savings account in your name. You'll receive an annual statement showing your contribution balance and accumulated interest. Upon retirement, your account balance transfers to the Annuity Reserve Fund, providing part of your monthly benefit.

What type of retirement plan is this?

This is a defined benefit plan operating as a qualified employer plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your retirement allowance is based on a formula rather than contribution amounts.