Water damage causes more village hall work

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen village board approved two new costs for the municipal hall improvement project, Monday, May 16, due to floor damage.
The board approved spending $6,563.83 to remove flooring in the new courtroom and replace it with half carpet and half with pre-engineered hardwood. The cheaper option was $1,670 for all carpet. However, the board agreed the hardwood floor on the public side would reduce damage from heavy foot traffic.
Superintendent of Utilities Mark Specchio said the new cost is needed because some of the flooring was damaged during the asbestos abatement process. He explained there was always some damage, but water got in during abatement and made the floor buckle. Mayor Mark Swinnerton said the village would pursue the abatement company to cover the costs in the end.
The village also approved spending $2,452 to remove the hardwood in the new board room and replacing it all with carpet. This was the cheapest option.
In other business:
• The board approved the 2011-12 budget. After holding a public hearing there were no comments with questions or concerns.
• The board opened four recycling bids. The cheapest came from Casella costing $1,750 a month for biweekly pickups. The next lowest was $2,500 a month for monthly pickups from Feher Rubbish Removal Inc. Specchio will review the bids and the board will make a decision at the next meeting.
• The electric department will make a recommendation on a tree removal half on village property and half on resident Ken Bell’s property. Bell got quotes for tree removal because he said it would come down eventually. He said it would cost $400 and he was willing to pay half. Specchio said the village had cut parts of the tree down before with the understanding Bell would remove it himself at a later date. Bell replied he didn’t remember that. The board will see if it is a tree the village crews can bring down or if more limbs can be cut off to reduce the removal fee.
• The board approved appropriating $6,624 from the 2010-11 budget for purchase of a Ford truck and a flatbed. It will be used by the fire department as a brush truck.
• Watkins Glen teacher Tara Parish asked the board if the second graders could walk to Clute Park and pick up trash as an alternate field trip. She also asked if the children could then have a roller-skating party at the park. The board agreed, if the school can provide the needed adult supervision for 68 children.
• Clerk Donna Beardsley said the Arc of Schuyler has asked to maintain the north village entrance sign on Route 14. She added the Arc has already bought plants for the sign.
The next regular board meeting is Tuesday, May 31, at 6 p.m.