The Watkins Glen Village Board approved a series of infrastructure and equipment purchases Tuesday, including a $75,106 sewer department truck, repairs to the Decatur Street Bridge sidewalk and work at the state park parking lot, while also hearing a warning that municipal electric customers could see some added power costs this winter.
The Village Board authorized the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-350 for the sewer department through an Onondaga County bid contract and approved a corresponding budget amendment to use sewer fund balance for the purchase. Village records show the department’s current truck is a 2011 Ford F-350 that is fully depreciated and has been in service for roughly 15 years.
The new truck will include a utility body and heavier-duty transmission suitable for hauling equipment used by the sewer department. Trustees approved the purchase from Davidson Ford for $75,106.50.
Village documents indicate the truck carried a higher retail cost, but Watkins Glen was able to use the county contract price. Officials also discussed the heavier transmission as one reason the sewer department truck costs more than another vehicle recently purchased for the water department.
The board separately approved repairs to the sidewalk on the Decatur Street Bridge. Finger Lakes Excavation and Concrete LLC submitted the low quote of $6,250 for the work, which includes removing and replacing a roughly 74-foot section of concrete sidewalk and resetting granite curb.
The expense will be charged to available CHIPS or extreme winter recovery funds.
During discussion, village officials said a state inspection of the bridge that had been expected in August had not yet occurred. The state was described as behind schedule but still aware of the pending inspection.
Trustees also approved a $2,597 contract with Victory Driveway Sealcoating for work at the state park parking lot. The proposal includes sealcoating approximately 14,300 square feet, crack sealing and asphalt patching.
Sewer and water systems standardized
Another resolution approved Tuesday standardizes the village’s water and wastewater control equipment around AquaLogics Systems Inc.
Village records state that Watkins Glen already uses AquaLogics control systems at its water and wastewater facilities and has relied on the company for maintenance and operating instruction for more than six years.
Officials said standardizing the equipment will allow AquaLogics to be treated as a sole-source provider for compatible control equipment rather than requiring the village to repeatedly seek multiple bids for equipment that needs to work with the existing system.
The board also approved the purchase of two ARI air valves for the wastewater system at a total cost of $3,310.
Wastewater officials said the valves are part of a broader maintenance effort involving air-release equipment at the village’s main lift stations and force main. Existing valves need to be rebuilt on a roughly four- to five-year cycle, and the two new valves will allow staff to rotate equipment out of service for rebuilding without leaving the system without replacements.
Roller skates, park rates and speed enforcement
Trustees approved spending up to $5,000 for approximately 40 new roller skates for the Clute Park Community Center. The purchase will be reimbursed through a Schuyler County Youth Bureau grant of up to $5,000.
The village received multiple quotes, with RC Supplies selected at about $124 per pair.
The board also approved 2027 Clute Park rates. Trustees said during the meeting that there were few significant changes and described the new rates as reasonable.
Police officials, meanwhile, reported that a new illuminated 30 mph speed-limit sign had arrived through a law enforcement technology grant.
The solar-powered sign is expected to initially be installed on Lee Road, where residents have raised concerns about speeding. Trustees discussed positioning it to target vehicles coming into the village, particularly motorists traveling downhill.
Municipal electric customers could see winter impact
Earlier in the meeting, Jim Stokes, executive director of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association, briefed the board on issues affecting public-power communities.
Stokes said unusually cold conditions last winter reduced output from the New York Power Authority’s Niagara hydroelectric facility at a time when electricity demand and wholesale market prices were both high.
When hydroelectric production is curtailed, replacement electricity must be purchased on the open market. Stokes said last winter’s combination of reduced hydro supply and high market prices resulted in substantial added costs.
MEUA negotiated a reduction in those costs and arranged for the remaining expense to be spread over time, he said. Watkins Glen and other municipal electric customers receiving preference hydropower will see some effect this winter, though Stokes said spreading the cost should reduce the immediate impact on ratepayers.
He also addressed questions about threats involving Canadian electricity exports, explaining that Watkins Glen’s base hydropower comes from NYPA’s Niagara facility and cannot simply be shut off by Ontario. New York does import electricity from Ontario and Quebec at times, however, meaning restrictions or tariffs on imported power could affect market conditions when those imports are needed.
Stokes also praised Watkins Glen’s use of funding through the association’s energy-efficiency program, saying the village has been among the stronger municipal systems in putting those funds back to work locally.
The board tabled approval of minutes from its previous meeting and approved department reports and a general audit totaling $122,936.96.
Trustees also changed the date of their next meeting. Instead of the previously scheduled Sept. 15 meeting, the board will next meet Wednesday, Sept. 23.
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