Village, school cooperate on summer plan

WATKINS GLEN--Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips approached the village board during their regular meeting Monday, Oct. 3, to discuss working together to save the summer recreation program at Clute Park. It was discovered earlier in the year that the grant funding for the program had run out. Now the two boards plan to cooperate to find a way to continue the program if the school is unable to secure funding from a 21st Century Grant.
"One way or another, we are going to find a way to keep this program going," Mayor Sam Schimizzi said. "I think we are crazy if we do not find a way to sustain this program," Phillips added.
Phillips has previously noted it would take $34,000 to have the program in place for next year. he said while they may get the additional grant funding to cover it, he wants to start early to create a "plan B" in case it does not come through. Phillips said the district could not only provide a coordinator, but mention they also have a ton of equipment including bicycles and kayaks as well.
Phillips said he has approached Reading and Odessa about helping out with the summer recreation program, but they each have their own programs. He said he has not heard anything from the county yet either. One of the possibilities discussed during the meeting was the potential for a sliding scale for parents to pay depending on income.
Phillips said if he has the village's support, he could work on getting a community advisory group together and start building a program as a blueprint. The members of the village board agreed, saying even if they get the grant, it would be smart to start putting money away for it if the funding is cut in the future.
In other business:
• The board approved having winter storage for RVs, trailers and boats for non-seasonal campers at Clute Park. There is space for 25 units, and people would pay a $200 fee. The lease dates would run from Oct. 11 to April 21. The board also voted to add a stipulation that village residents would get preference when renting a parking slot. Trustee Gary Schmidt voted against the measure since he wanted a cheaper rate than $200. Trustee Laurie DeNardo abstained due to the fact she would likely be using the service.