Boat launch now charges non-residents

Boat launch now charges non-residents

    PENN YAN—The collection box is in place at the boat launch site off Keuka Street. The village now has a modest source of new revenue. People who are not residents of the village will now pay $5 per day to park their boat trailers at the site. Recreation director Dan Doyle told the village board that $260 was collected the week of June 13. A large percentage of boat launch users do not live in the village. The village maintains the launch site and park along the Keuka Lake Outlet. Village officials had researched methods that would help cover costs and a fee was the result. Village taxpayers may obtain permits free of charge for their boat trailers.
    In other business: The board reviewed the short environmental assessment form for proposed changes in parking for certain streets in the core business area. Streets included are Main, Seneca, Jacob and Water Streets.
    • Enforcement of parking regulations on Main Street are on a reactive basis. This was according to a report of the public safety committee. There is a two hour limit for on-street parking in that area. Christensen, who chairs the public safety committee, said the parking lot behind the firehouse is full at times during the day. The lot behind the Lowns building is often less than capacity. Christensen said another possibility is leasing private property.
    Vice-mayor Willie Allison said he had spoken to Mike Worden, owner of the former car dealership on Elm Street. Worden has no problem with the property being used for parking. The property is expected to be sold. Worden is not sure when the sale will be completed. Worden would like to have an agreement he would not be liable. Trustees authorized Mayor Bob Church to sign a hold harmless agreement. Public Work Director Brent Bodine said he will continue to work on a long range solution to parking.
    • Trustee Wayne Davidson reported for the Planning and Development committee. He spoke about the issue of garbage pickup within the village. Davidson said he feels garbage companies should pick a day.  Church said, “No matter who does it, it can’t be done in one day.” Davidson said he would like to get garbage cans off the street in a reasonable time. Christensen asked how feasible it would be to regulate the hours. Davidson said an ordinance could regulate the hours cans could be on the street.
    • Church reported to the board on the issue of manure that was raised at the May board meeting. He said he had met with two members of the Mennonite community. Church was told that horses in Yates County have never had catchers. The catchers are cumbersome and can be a danger because they can hit the horses’ legs. Church said the manure is probably a nuisance he but does not feel the village should go any farther.
    • The park on Lake Street along the Keuka Lake Outlet was a discussion item. The area will be used by NYS Department of Transportation during replacement of the Liberty Street Bridge. Brockman said the park will be the primary access for the state. In his view the park will probably be shut down. Construction is expected to start in late September and be complete by late spring 2012. Brockman said the state should be approached. Doyle said any hazard would be eliminated by construction of an appropriate fence. Bodine said he would try to schedule a meeting with the contractor to discuss the matter.
    • Winslow praised members of the fire department. He said there were a couple of calls that required a high level of professional care during the last month. The calls were for a serious farm accident and a fatal fire.
    • Church said he was approached by local businessman Jeff Gifford who was looking for a community project. Gifford is President of The Birkett Mills and owns Carey’s Rental. The result was painting the Red Jacket Park pavilion.
    The next meeting of the Penn Yan village board will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19. The meeting will be in the village office building on Elm Street.