Column: Watkins Mayor Laurie DeNardo

"Watkins Glen's Year in Review"

ALBANY, Jan. 5, 2025 -- As 2024 is now behind us, I would like to wish our community a Happy New Year. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we have been striving to make our Village better than ever. 2024 brought many accomplishments in doing so. Our staffing levels are at peak; we completed two successful union contract resolutions with our Police and Utility Departments and awarded the first-ever Staff Recognition Program in which the Village staff and managers chose Scott Taylor as the first recipient. Well-deserved Scott.

Project wise, we completed some of the final Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) projects which included the four gateway signs; improvements to LaFayette Park on the bandstand and new co-ed restrooms; as well as improved playground areas. We are in the midst of completing an all-inclusive, ADA compliant playground for all ages in Clute Park. It will surely be a showcase and an opportunity for all children to play. This project is funded by the final DRI funds, along with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).

The new co-working space opened above the Chamber of Commerce for all to utilize. In addition, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) installed four new EV, fast-charging machines at the east end of Clute Park. At no cost to the Village, these four chargers already have been utilized daily and are an additional asset to our community. The Village was awarded funds from the Clean Energy Community Grant for new power tools for our departments. Thank you to all our state agencies who support these projects and infrastructure upgrades.

Ice skating continues to be a local favorite, as is the splash pad in the summer, and we added, to keep the community center utilized besides parties and roller-skating, "Pickle Ball." This has been a huge hit and requires no staffing. Open seven days per week, all levels are playing, and we have added a league. Our summer recreation program grew in numbers again this year and provided weekly camp highlights for our children to enjoy.

Phase One of our Water Improvement Project is completed, an $8.6 million project co-funded by various grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and the Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) program. I'm sure you all noted the new dark blue tank on Steuben Street. In addition to upgrades to the plant and its electrical system, SCADA and the new tank, we have an enhanced pump station and new intake line which aligns with the Department of Health's requirements to further improve our water system, an on-going high priority. Phase Two will be underway as soon as funding is secured. Phase Two incorporates improvements to our infrastructure to replace many of our incredibly old water lines in the Village.

Our Police and Fire Departments have had a record year responding to many calls. The health and safety of our community is a number one priority. We are grateful for all they do.

We have partnered with Watkins Glen International (WGI), the Schuyler County Historic Society, Watkins Glen Promotions (WGP) along with the Chamber of Commerce to provide an amazing year of fun-filled, family events, with more to come in 2025. We appreciate all the community sponsors.

Special thanks to our village staff, the Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the Chamber of Commerce for beautifying our downtown with new holiday lights; street pole decor; new flags; flowers and more. Our village shines.

An area that we continue to resist is the gravel pit expansion application of Padua Ridge/It's Greener Now. We have spent a lot of effort in improvements to the Village and surrounding townships and need to continue to remind the DEC that this permit expansion should not be considered. I am doing my part to do just that! It's important and we must all continue to communicate our concerns to the DEC. Our community cemeteries and our beautiful state park already are in jeopardy. We must continue the fight!

The Village has been named a certified "Pro-Housing" Community of which we are proud. We are hopeful that this designation helps us gain additional market-based housing in the Village.

We have made significant improvement sustaining our ecosystem and have replanted over 150 trees in the Village. Our Lakeview cemetery has been upgraded to include a complete survey and defined lot markers. All positive attributes for the future.

It has been an incredibly busy year with more to come in 2025. Our local businesses are a key part of our success, and we will continue to assist and support in any way we can. I, and the Board, continue to serve our residents with the utmost respect, service, and deliverance.

In peace and prosperity.

--Mayor Laurie DeNardo

Photo in text: Watkins Glen Mayor Laurie DeNardo

Legislature Chairman

Carl Blowers, 535-6174 or 237-5469

Legislature Members:

Gary Gray, 292-9922

Jim Howell, 535-7266 or 227-1141

David M. Reed, 796-9558

Michael Lausell, 227- 9226

Phil Barnes, Watkins Glen, 481-0482

Mark Rondinaro, 398-0648

Laurence Jaynes

County Clerk: Theresa Philbin, 535-8133

Sheriff: Kevin Rumsey, 535-8222

Undersheriff: Andrew Zeigler, 535-8222

County Treasurer: Holley Sokolowski, 535-8181

District Attorney: Joseph Fazzary, 535-8383

State, Federal Officials for Schuyler County

Sen. Charles E. Schumer

United States Senate
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3201
DC Phone: 202-224-6542
DC Fax: 202-228-3027
Email Address: http://schumer.senate.gov/webform.html

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

United States Senate
478 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-4451
Website: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/

State Senator Tom O'Mara -- Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates, and eastern Allegany County (towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing).

Room 706, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2091
Fax: (518) 426-6976
www.omara.nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano-- All of Schuyler and Yates, majority of Steuben, and portions of Chemung and Seneca counties.

Room 448, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: (518) 455-5791
Fax: (518) 455-4644
Website: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Philip-A-Palmesano/