Watkins discusses snow concerns

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen village board met at the Shared Services Building, Monday, March 7.
Tony Capece, a resident of North Glen Avenue, expressed his concern about the amount of snow pushed up on his property’s sidewalk. He said the snowplows are leaving four to five foot drifts that he is unable to break through to clean the walk.
Mark Specchio, superintendent of public works, assured him that a smaller piece of equipment will be sent out Tuesday to move the snow and clear the corners. Several board members assured Capece that no one from the village is going to harass him about the piled up snow.
Trustee Wayne Weber did question the increased number of people who are walking in the street and they suggested a plan be discussed in case next year’s snowfall meets or exceeds this year’s accumulation.
Dominick Smith, Watkins Glen fire chief, asked for and received approval to develop a final ratification for a grant program. According to the Web site for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), “The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, ‘front line’ firefighters available in their communities.” It is a four year program that  Watkins has been a part of for one year and the ratification must be submitted to continue.
Mayor Judy Phillips read a letter from Jenna Hicks of the Schuyler County Cooperative Extension requesting permission to obtain a grant to fund a recycling program in public areas. The recycle bins would be placed alongside the regular trash cans in Clute Park and Lafayette Park.