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Council backs community opening event for updated courts, asks organizers to coordinate with borough and insurance
Summary
Council approved a motion authorizing Councilwoman Cowdrick and resident Earl Hornyak to organize a community opening for renovated basketball/pickleball courts, pending a completion date and compliance with town insurance and scheduling procedures; residents offered volunteer and Historical Society support.
The Borough of Ogdensburg’s council on Aug. 14 authorized residents to plan a community celebration for newly renovated courts, while reminding organizers that any event on borough property must meet insurance and scheduling requirements.
Council members and residents described broad local enthusiasm about the basketball and new pickleball court work and discussed grant limits and insurance needs. Mayor George P. Hutnick said the borough has about $75,000 from a grant toward the project and emphasized the borough must still follow processes for events on municipal property to ensure insurance coverage.
Resident Earl Hornyak, who identified himself for the record as living at 80 Plant Street, described the idea as informal and community led: "this is Ogdensburg, this is a cool thing, this is what Ogdensburg is all about" and said he would help organize volunteers and activities. Councilwoman Cowdrick described proposed features including a band (whose fee the borough could absorb only if coded as a Municipal Alliance event), food sales handled by the Historical Society, and modest equipment needs. The council agreed to let Councilwoman Cowdrick and Mr. Hornyak finalize plans pending an official completion date for the courts and required council sign-off.
Councilman Ciasullo moved and Councilman DeMeo seconded a motion to permit Cowdrick and Hornyak to proceed with planning based on the courts’ opening; the motion passed on roll call. The mayor and clerk noted that if individuals organize events using borough property they must produce their own insurance certificates unless the borough absorbs the cost through a formal municipal event classification.
During public comment, Robert McGuire asked the borough to repair a large hole near his driveway and suggested replacing old backboards on the courts; the mayor said water-line work may precede a final road patch and that he would follow up.
What happens next: Council staff and the borough clerk will coordinate with organizers on insurance and schedules; a firm opening date will be set when contractors and engineers provide a completion date.
