EANNACE AND JULIAN ANNOUNCE PROPOSED 
SANITARY CODE

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace Jr., Majority Leader Robert F. Julian and other county officials announced a draft proposal of a countywide Sanitary Code at a press conference this morning. The proposed Sanitary Code was designed to expedite and ensure the effective abatement of public health and sanitation issues related to housing hygiene and maintenance in Oneida County.

"Our goal is to enhance each municipality's ability to provide more effective code enforcement within their jurisdictions," Eannace said. "It encourages cooperation. Through countywide assistance, all municipalities will have much stronger abilities to address housing conditions, public health nuisances and hazardous conditions."

Advantages of a countywide Sanitary Code:

• Enhanced authority to inspect dwellings.
• Can coordinate with municipalities to alleviate staffing concerns.
• Provides clarification regarding issues pertaining to public health nuisance and hazard conditions.
• Does not infringe upon local municipality authority for building code enforcement.
• Utilizes the established state sanitary code, as well as other local sanitary codes approved by New York State Department of Health.
• Respects local codes and protects farming practices, but strengthens community efforts against unsafe housing and other environmental concerns.

Majority Leader Robert F. Julian said, "The hopeful outcome of the Sanitary Code is to better protect health, safety and welfare of Oneida County residents by requiring public adherence to agreed upon standards, particularly in housing."

The intent of the proposed Sanitary Code is to get voluntary compliance from owners. However, there is a process for the county to be paid for the cost of compliance such as demolition or abatement procedures.

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