New board starts work in Watkins Glen

The Watkins Glen village board met for the first time since the election last week. During the meeting, Tuesday, April 4, Steven Decker took the oath of office for village justice while Peter Cherock and Margaret Schimizzi took the oath of office for trustee positions. The newly installed mayor, Laurie DeNardo also made several mayoral appointments, including welcoming back former trustee Nan Woodworth to serve a single-year term, filling DeNardo's vacant trustee seat. DeNardo also extended Katrina Decker's appointment as court clerk, appointed Cherock as deputy mayor, welcomed Barb Cook to the housing committee, and re-appointed William Kennedy's role as associate justice.
County Legislator Mike Lausell welcomed the new team on behalf of the Schuyler Legislature, noting that the legislative door is always open and the legislators hope to work closely with village officials.
In other news, trustees established a wage scale for seasonal village laborers. People who are newly hired for seasonal positions with the village will be paid $15 per hour. Those who have served the village for two or three consecutive seasons will earn $16 per hour. Four- or five-year veterans, who have worked consecutive seasons, will be paid $17 per hour. People who have worked six or more consecutive seasons will be paid $18 per hour. Accommodations may be made for returning seasonal employees who have a break in service.
Trustees also approved a resolution to spend approximately $34,000 that remains in the coffers originally designated for the Seneca Lake Events Center. They expect to use the funds to outfit the center's kitchen. The village is working with B&W Supply, the minority and women owned business (MWBE) state-approved vendor, to secure commercial kitchen equipment. The proposed equipment list does not include a stove, an appliance requested by several caterers who have used the facility, according to DeNardo. Community members offered suggestions that might meet the request.
Trustees also approved a resolution to permanently designate a 100-foot pull-off for Lakeside Trolley and any other shuttles, located on the north side of Third Street, at the intersection of Third and Franklin Streets. Twenty businesses along Third Street, Franklin Street, and Steuben Street signed a petition supporting a 50-foot designation. Owners of Lakeside Trolley, Katrina Gonsorick and Joe Irwin, anticipate that their business will bring an estimated 60 people to the village daily and are looking for a May 2023 start. The hop-on/hop-off service will offer two routes - one up the east side of Seneca Lake and one up the west side of Seneca Lake - both originating from Horseheads Brewing on Seneca Lake.