Watkins Glen village board 4/4/11

Meeting:  The Watkins Glen village board met Monday, April 4, for three hours.
Attendance:  All board members were present.  There were 16 members of the public in the audience.
Action:  During public comment, several residents complained about the volume of the fire department’s whistle, trucks loading and unloading at Wal-Mart, and the warning sounds of Cargill Salt trucks backing up in the early morning.  Also during the meeting, the board agreed to ask Cargill to blow its whistle at noon, Monday through Saturday.  Tony Vickio started a petition to get Cargill to use its whistle then, but the company said Watkins had to authorize it and take any complaints.
• The board approved to support Community Progress, Inc. in applying for a New York Main Street Grant equaling $500,000.  The funds will be available for property owners on Franklin Street, between First and Fourth Streets, to develop buildings.  Up to $60,000 will be available for streetscape improvements (such as trash receptacles, planters, tree guards, etc.) and up to $37,500 will be available for administrative expenses.
Discussion without action:  The board talked about the summer recreation program.  Mayor Mark Swinnerton said the program costs the village $20,000 to run, but only 30 percent of the participating children are from Watkins Glen.  He explained the village will seek donations to help run the program.
• Police Chief Tom Struble said odd/even parking has ended.  He said he will talk with the board at a later date about parking regulations for the summer.
Upcoming meetings:  The Watkins village board will meet Monday, April 18, starting at 7 p.m.