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Ogdensburg tables Heater Pond event approval after lifeguard staffing concerns; council discusses pond improvements
Summary
A facility-use request for Heater Pond submitted by Michelle Nardini (ORA) was tabled April 22 after council members said risk management requires lifeguards for swim activities and none had been hired; council discussed planned pond improvements and volunteers for cleanup.
The Ogdensburg Mayor and Council on April 22 tabled a facility-use application from Michelle Nardini representing ORA for activities at Heater Pond because the borough currently lacks hired lifeguards required by its risk-management rules for swim programs.
Councilman DeMeo raised the issue that risk management would not permit ‘‘swim at your own risk’’ programming and said the application should be subject to having lifeguards on duty. Councilman Ciasullo suggested approving the application subject to lifeguard staffing; Attorney Joseph Maddaloni recommended tabling the application to resolve the staffing question. Council voted to table the application; roll call was recorded as Ciasullo, Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer and Ruitenberg in favor, Alvarez absent.
Mayor George P. Hutnick clarified that if the borough does not open the pond for swimming it will remain available for other activities. Council members and staff also discussed specific improvement items planned for Heater Pond cleanup, including new lifeguard umbrellas, picnic tables, replacement backboard parts, updated toys, new sand and volunteer cleanup efforts; the council agreed to obtain quotes for work and seek volunteers.
The council did not set a new date to revisit the application; a motion to table was adopted so staff can continue recruiting lifeguards and obtain necessary quotes for proposed improvements.
