Watkins board sets village clean-up day

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Village Board met at their regular meeting May 1 and reminded residents Saturday, May 13 is the date for the annual village clean-up day.
This event is held every spring at Clute Park so village residents can discard broken items or junk free of charge. The list of acceptable items includes household appliances, TVs, gas/charcoal grills, hot water tanks, plastic, wood or metal furniture and beds or mattresses. Items not accepted are hazardous waste, electronics and household garbage. There will also be a paper shredder on site this year. The board asks that you have proof of residency available.
Village Clerk Donna Beardsley said, "Dumpster day came to the village about 14 years ago and it used to happen twice a year. After a few years the village was noticeably cleaner, so it was dropped to once a year. Participation has always been good, originally filling around 10 dumpsters. Now with recycling and other avenues we fill around six." Drop off hours are from 8 a.m. until noon.
The village summer recreation program, which had been in jeopardy due to the loss of grants, is getting help from Cargill Inc. Mayor Sam Schimizzi told the board that the salt company presented a check to the village and school boards for $15,000 Tuesday, May 2. The mayor is still hopeful more funding will come forward from other municipalities where children use the program. The cost of operation is close to $40,000 a year.