Village thanks Marchionda
PENN YAN—On March 16 as voters were electing a new mayor two floors below where he was standing, Douglas Marchionda Jr. conducted his last regular village board meeting as mayor.
It was business as usual until the end of the meeting when Vice-mayor Willie Allison presented Marchionda with a plaque recognizing his service to the village followed by unanimous vote to give the outgoing mayor the gavel he had used during his eight years as mayor. Prior to being elected mayor, Marchionda served four years as a trustee. Retiring trustee Nancy Taylor was also honored.
Marchionda said, "I didn't do this, we did this. Our employees are the envy of other municipalities. I consider all of you my friends." Director of Public Works, Dick Osgood, said, "As John Q. Citizen, thank you for the amount of work you have done for this village."
In other business: The Maxwell Building on Main Street was declared surplus and will be offered for sale. The building was used for village court for many years until court was moved to the village office building last month. In response to a question about the format for the sale, village Attorney Ed Brockman said it can be sold by auction, bid, or listing. Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Lyon and Osgood went through the building recently and estimated the cost to put the building into use again at between $20,000 and $30,000. This is expected to impact the purchase price. Brockman said an appraisal was done several years ago.
• The board approved a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) of the village parks master plan. They also approved the referral to the village and county planning boards and preparation of a full environmental assessment form connected to the amendment of the plan.In a related matter, Parks committee chairman Mike Christensen said the draft of the plan that prioritizes work needed to bring it up to date has been reviewed. At Red Jacket Park, upgrades in the bathhouse are needed. The possibility of relocating it may be considered. The plan also addresses issues with the Outlet Trail and the possible extension of it toward the lake. Christensen said the village also might consider increasing the charge for use of the pavilion at Red Jacket Park.
• Approved a resolution regarding SEQR issues and preparation of a local law relating to preservation of roads in the village. Brockman asked board members to take the information home. He said this will start the process and designated the board as lead agency.
• Osgood said representatives of New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will be at the village's April 20 meeting to discuss future construction on the Liberty Street bridge. They may do half of the bridge at a time or all at one time with detours. Osgood has made suggestions regarding the water line under the bridge and other issues related to infrastructure.