Watkins hires adjuster to handle fire loss

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen village board approved a contract with Adjusters International, Monday, April 29, to handle the review and insurance settlement of the village equipment lost in the Shared Services Complex fire.
Trustee Scott Gibson explained Adjusters International would be the village’s “eyes and ears” in figuring out the total loss due to the March 23 fire. Watkins will pay the company 3 percent of the recovered loss, including funds from salvage. Adjusters International representative Steven Vanuga said tallying up all lost equipment would take about two months.
During the electric department report, the board also discussed damage to trucks. Superintendent of Streets Don Perry said there have been a number of minor issues with the trucks following the fire, but couldn’t say if they were connected to fire damage or just regular wear. Mayor Mark Swinnerton said, “the vehicles will never be the same.” Superintendent of Utilities Mark Specchio suggested the village start phasing out these vehicles and purchasing new ones.
In other business:
• Summer hours for the village hall were set for June through August. The work day will start half an hour earlier at 7:30 p.m. Friday’s hours will end at 1:30 p.m. with no lunch break. Clerk Donna Beardsley added the 24 hour drop box will still be available in the village hall’s foyer.
• The board approved the appointment of Greg Larnard as the new code enforcement officer, starting May 13. Current officer Gordon Wright will retire effective the end of May.
• Perry talked about installing a sign at the entrance of Clute Park telling trucks not to turn into the parking lot. He explained the last time the ticket booth was damaged was because a large truck drove into the lot to turn around.
• The board scheduled several special meetings in May. The board will meet Tuesday, May 14, at 6 p.m. to review available cemetery plots and costs. On May 20, the board will review the electric department’s projects at 6 p.m. A meeting Wednesday, May 22, will focus on the water department’s projects (6:30 p.m.) and then on the sewer department’s upcoming work (7:15 p.m.).
• The Seneca Wine and Food Event was approved to use Clute Park for the two day, May 1 and 2, event.
• A bid from Tyler Fire Equipment for a new air compressor was approved for $39,598. This was the lowest bid.