Legislators hear marina lease comments

SCHUYLER COUNTY—Some 30 people attended the organizational meeting of the Schuyler County Legislature Wednesday, Jan. 8, to discuss the potential renegotiation of the village marina lease. The Schamels, who have held the lease to the marina since 1983, said they want to renegotiate a lease extension with the Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) prior to conducting additional work at the site. Ed and Teresa Woodland, owners of Frog Hollow Marina in Watkins Glen, spoke during the meeting about wanting the opportunity to bid on the lease when it expires in 2018.
The issue arose after plans to begin a $150,000 dock repair project became necessary at the marina. Vicki Schamel told the legislature the Schamel family have been “good stewards” of the marina for the last 30 years and have made a considerable investment in the business. She said making these investments takes considerable risk, and the needed dock repairs are also a risk. Therefore, before the investment is made, the Schamels were seeking to extend their contract until 2033.
However, the Woodlands also expressed an interest to bid for the lease, saying it is only fair they get at least a chance to bid on the lease once it expires. Ed Woodland cited issues like the lack of gas available for purchase, a wash basin and adequate shower facilities as issues that could be addressed with a new leaseholder. He said the county would also get a better market value for the marina if put out to bid, and “to consider extending a lease that has been for 30 years without going out to other people is wrong.”
County Administrator Tim O’Hearn said the county legislature was referred to by the SCIDA and did not feel comfortable with extending the lease on the restaurant on the site. He said whatever renegotiations are done, it will not include the restaurant. O’Hearn said the intent of the lease negotiations is to keep everything at the same standard it is currently at, if not better.
“The county is in no opposition to extending the lease,” O’Hearn said. “The decision was only made to discuss negotiations. No commitments have been made either way.”
In other business:
• The legislature swore in the newly elected and incumbent legislators. They also voted to reappoint Dennis Fagan as chairman of the legislature.
• The legislature approved sending forward a resolution during their review committee in support of Tioga Downs’ bid to be the regional gaming facility. Fagan said the legislature had initially sent a resolution in opposition to the legalized gaming proposition in protest of the proposed closing of Camp Monterey. Fagan said “that ship has sailed,” and that Tioga Downs would be in the county’s best interest. The measure was approved after voted on by the full legislature during their regular meeting Monday, Jan. 13.