Watkins hires school resource officer

WATKINS GLEN—The village of Watkins Glen and Watkins Glen elementary, middle, and high schools agreed to partner together in hiring a school resource officer, at the regular meeting of the village board, Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Veteran Officer Mike Powers will now be the school district’s resource officer (from Wednesday, Sept. 8 through the end of the year).  The agreement was the result of grant money being awarded that cannot exceed $25,000 over one year.  Powers will return to his position with the Watkins Glen Police Department at the end of the year or if the grant money is used up before school ends.  “It is not anticipated,” Village Clerk/ Treasure Donna Beardsley said, regarding the funds being used up early.  
According to Beardsley, the agreement came about quickly after the school district Superintendent Tom Phillips learned about the grant money last week.  The Watkins Glen School Board approved the hire at their regular meeting on Tuesday night as well.  
Trustees discussed the new duties of the officer at the meeting.  Powers will still be a village employee, who is just assigned to the three Watkins Glen schools for duty.  He will have a varied schedule during school hours, as well as hours during school activities.  
In order to make up for the vacancy caused by Powers a part-time officer will be hired.  The salary needed to hire the new officer will be charged to the school as agreed in the contract signed by both.  
“It will be a new adventure for both of us (the village and the school district).  We are very excited and it will be good for both of us,” Beardsley said.
In other business:
• The village board approved hiring a part-time assistant to Code Enforcement Officer Gordon Wright.  Dean Hillyard will begin assisting on Sept. 20.  “The work load is enough to justify the part-time position,” Beardsley said.
• The board approved a request from Fire Chief Dominick Smith to go ahead and purchase a brush truck that cannot exceed $42,000.   
• The next Dumpster Day for the village will be on Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. until noon.  It will be held at its previous location, at the boat launch by the Community Center on Clute Park Drive.  
The next regular meeting of the Watkins Glen village board will be held, Monday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.