Watkins Glen to authorize project bond

WATKINS GLEN--In order to show the ability to be shovel-ready for potential grant projects related to the village's water intake infrastructure, Mayor Luke Leszyk said during the Tuesday, Feb. 2 board meeting the village would authorize a bond worth $21 million. While the authorization of the bond would occur, Leszyk said the village would not spend anywhere near the full amount.
"This will be in the resolution coming in the next two weeks so that we could borrow up to $21 million but I assure you we will never be actually borrowing $21 million," Leszyk said.
Village Treasurer Rhonda Slater reiterated that point.
"We have made it clear that we can't do the project at $21 million," Slater said. "(The prospective bond) shows we are in a shovel-ready state. It shows we are able to move forward with anything we do."
The $21 million is the amount of money the village would need to spend if it were to authorize every recommended fix to the village's water system, which includes revamps to the entire infrastructure including new mains.
"The study we commissioned (on the village water infrastructure) showed it would take $21 million to fix it all right now... We will chip away at (the $21 million worth of recommended fixes) but we will never stop chipping away at it," Leszyk said.
By taking a more long-range approach to the system, it allows not only for the village to apply for grants to pay for specific fixes it will also allow the village to tackle the most pressing needs in phases.
On the topic of state-mandated police reform, Sgt. Ethan Mosher briefly touched upon the efforts the local department is making in that regard.
"As part of the required police reform moving forward and to better the department (we need) to implement a policy on officer complaints," Mosher said. "We don't generally receive many, however, I have created something to be put in place moving forward. What I outlined is a general plan, it can be altered as needed. Just some ideas I have drawn up."
Board member Laurie DiNardo said she would like more time to go over the proposal and as a result, the matter was tabled for a meeting at a later date.