Vandalism concerns may stymie project

May 27, 2009 at 08:37 am by Observer-Review


PENN YAN   ADVERTISEMENT

Vandalism concerns may stymie project

PENN YAN—An idea to make the section of the Outlet Trail in Penn Yan more attractive brought comments and concerns about vandalism from Penn Yan Village board members at their May 19 meeting. Recreation committee chairman Michael D’Abbracci said the Penn Yan Lions Club would like to place a gazebo in an area near the new steps from the Main Street bridge to the trail. They would like to have a security camera at the site due to concerns about vandalism, but funding for a camera is unknown at this time. The board discussed past problems with park benches being thrown into the outlet. Vandalism is a continuing issue in communities throughout the area and good projects are often impacted negatively as a result.
Assistant director of Public works Richard Osgood said his concern was that the proposed spot could interfere with operation of the gates on the outlet. Police chief Gene Mitchell said he was concerned about the location. Trustee Nancy Taylor suggested the Lions Club consider putting the gazebo in the Main Street mini-park where one used to be. A drawback to this site is that the village recently spent funds to maintain the landscape materials there. D’Abbracci said he would speak to club representatives about the possibilities for the project.
In other business: The meeting of the Penn Yan Village Board was held at 6 p.m. May 19, an hour earlier than usual. Prior to the meeting there were two public hearings, both related to the proposed increase in water and sewer rates. No member of the public spoke at either hearing and the increases were passed later in the meeting.
• Continued discussion of the possibility of charging nonresidents of the village for parking boat trailers at the boat launch site off Keuka Street.
• Approved the annual Yates County Chamber of Commerce 13th Annual Cruisin’’ Night & Block party on Main Street Friday, June 19 from 4:30 until 9:30 p.m.
• Discussed the size of the village Historic Preservation Commission. Currently there are seven and three of the seven are vacant. Discussion followed regarding both the size of the group and recruiting new members.
• The village received one proposal for Workplace Violence Prevention Training from Practical Consultants, LLC at a cost of $15,000 per year. During discussion, trustee Bob Church asked Mitchell if the village could do the training. Mitchell responded, “If the county can do it, we should be able to do it.” Village attorney Ed Brockman told the board New York Conference of Mayors recommends against municipalities doing their own training because there could be litigation if there was an incident. Brockman said the law has been on the books for four years. However, the Department of Labor has still not completed all the details.
• Richard Osgood was approved for a one-year term as vice-chairperson for the village planning board.
• Mitchell told the board representatives from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services did an onsite visit to the police department for the administrative study that has been requested. Results are expected later this summer.
• Mitchell announced enhanced enforcement of the state seat belt use law will take place through May 31 as part of the “Buckle Up New York” campaign.
• Passed a resolution: conduct of Village elections by Yates County Board of Election Transfer election to the county board of elections. The cost will remain at approximately $1,200 a year, the amount the village budgets now.
• Public works director Ed Balsley’s 2002 Ford Tarus was declared as surplus and it will be sold following Balsley’s retirement in September.
Trustees scheduled a special village meting at 3 p.m. May 28 for the purpose of attending to final bills of the 2008-09 fiscal year which ends May 31. Village clerk/treasurer Shawna Wilber announced the tax bills are expected to be sent out May 29. The next regular meeting of the Penn Yan village board will be at 7 p.m. June 16 in the village office building on Elm Street.
  $element(adman,groupads,YatesRight2)$

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight3)$

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight6)$
Sections: Additional News