Watkins Glen looks at rate adjustments

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen board of trustees was presented with a plan by Parks Manager Craig Bond at the Tuesday, Sept. 7 board meeting to increase many of the fees associated with Clute Park next year. While nothing was approved yet, Mayor Luke Leszyk said the board would go over the proposals and, after some potential adjustments, approve them at the next board meeting.
"The rates are probably going to go up, every year or two we revisit and raise them for inflationary reasons," said Leszyk. "But we tabled it until we could look it over and give our recommendations as well."
While the cost of renting the community center is not expected to go up, Leszyk said rates across the board will most likely increase.
One thing Leszyk said he would research is the cost of other slips and campsites in the area.
"We want to make sure our cost is in range," Leszyk said.
The board was also informed that despite generating some local interest, Bond remains unable to lease the cafe in the newly constructed pavilion at Clute Park and will remain unlikely to do so until improvements are made.
While no work would be done until the spring, Leszyk said the village will explore either installing the improvements out of pocket or having whatever business wishes to lease the space, pay for the improvements and then take the expenses out of the cost of the lease.
The board briefly discussed the option to go to fully remote meetings again after the state gave municipal boards the option again due to the increasing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. While possible, Leszyk said the board was unanimous in their desire to remain with in-person meetings for as long as possible.