Watkins Glen trustees approved several summer events Monday night while also raising questions about security planning for the Schuyler County Italian American Festival and discussing a possible new police impound lot near Clute Park.
During the May 19 meeting, trustees approved a special event application for the Finger Lakes Open Water Swim Festival, scheduled for July 11 with a weather backup date of July 12. The event will use Clute Park as a staging and finish area while swimmers travel up Seneca Lake and return to the park.
Trustees spent considerably more time discussing the Italian American Festival application, which requested permission to use Clute Park from Aug. 13-15 and collect parking fees during the event. The board ultimately tabled the request again after raising concerns about security coordination, emergency planning and event logistics.
Board members questioned whether festival organizers had met with village officials, police or fire personnel regarding crowd control and emergency response plans for what several described as a “mass gathering.” Trustees also discussed the need for organizers to clarify tent sizes, vendor plans and security staffing.
Village officials noted the event has historically drawn thousands of visitors to Clute Park and the surrounding area. One trustee estimated attendance could range between 6,000 and 10,000 people over the course of the festival weekend.
The board also approved several events at the Watkins Glen Fire Department, including two birthday parties and a senior class breakfast scheduled for June 25.
Department reports highlight park cleanup, development activity
Department reports included updates on seasonal hiring, code enforcement activity, utility operations and park preparations ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Parks Superintendent Stacey Parrish reported the campground was nearly full during NASCAR weekend and crews were continuing work at Clute Park and Lafayette Park. Staff also prepared for summer recreation programming, community events and beach operations.
Trustees acknowledged public complaints about debris and conditions near Clute Park following heavy rain and flooding but said crews had been working to clean up the area as weather allowed. Board members said parts of the park had recently been underwater, complicating mowing and maintenance efforts ahead of the holiday weekend.
Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Tremblay reported ongoing work on vacant property enforcement, permit reviews and short-term rental renewals. He also highlighted several active code enforcement cases, including violations at properties on 14th Street, 3rd Street and 15th Street.
The report also noted a proposed four-unit development at 107 Cedar St. and a special use permit request for a bed-and-breakfast at 607 N. Porter St. are scheduled to go before the Planning Board later this month.
Water department staff reported ongoing hydrant repairs, flushing operations and concerns from the state Department of Health about race track water pressure and pump performance during NASCAR weekend.
Trustees discuss payment processing, meeting schedule changes
Trustees also discussed complaints about the village’s online utility payment system, specifically a $300 cap on prepayments. Village officials said the limitation comes from the third-party payment processor and acknowledged the restriction has frustrated residents trying to make larger payments online.
One trustee described a potential alternative payment processor offering lower transaction fees and mobile payment options for village departments, including code enforcement and recreation operations.
The board also agreed to shift its June meeting schedule from June 2 and June 16 to June 9 and June 23 to maintain a more consistent two-week spacing between meetings.
Village considers police impound lot near Clute Park
Late in the meeting, trustees discussed a proposal to convert the former tennis courts near Clute Park into a police impound lot. The idea would involve using the existing fencing, adding screening material and placing a storage container onsite for evidence and bicycles currently stored elsewhere.
Police officials said the village currently shares impound storage space with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and that having a dedicated lot could create operational benefits and potentially generate revenue through storage fees.
But trustees raised concerns about aesthetics, campground proximity and security risks associated with storing impounded vehicles near recreation areas and campsites. One trustee warned the location could attract people attempting to retrieve property from impounded vehicles during overnight hours.
No formal action was taken on the impound lot proposal.
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