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Ogdensburg council introduces two bond ordinances, approves pond concert and playground mulch spending
Summary
At its Sept. 25 meeting the Ogdensburg Mayor and Council introduced bond ordinances totaling $285,000 for Plant Street and Firemen’s Park improvements, approved a Heaters Pond concert with a $375 band fee and authorized up to $4,500 toward certified playground mulch; public hearings on the ordinances were set for Oct. 11.
The Ogdensburg Mayor and Council on Sept. 25 introduced two bond ordinances to fund streetscape and park projects, approved a community concert at Heaters Pond and authorized money for playground mulch as the council advanced several routine municipal actions.
Councilman Ciasullo introduced Ordinance 13-2023, a bond ordinance to appropriate $195,000 for phase II streetscape improvements on Plant Street, including a state grant and the issuance of bonds; Councilman DeMeo seconded the motion and the council approved it by roll call. Ciasullo also introduced Ordinance 14-2023, a $90,000 bond ordinance to fund improvements to Firemen’s Park; that introduction was likewise seconded by DeMeo and approved. Public hearings for both ordinances were scheduled for Oct. 11, 2023.
During the meeting the council approved a facility use request for a family concert at Heaters Pond on Oct. 21 featuring the Mile 39 band, with alcohol prohibited. The council voted to cover the $375 fee for the band.
On playground repairs and playground safety surfacing, the council reviewed quotes from a local contractor: $4,400 for full installation of certified playground mulch (including delivery and placement) or $1,800 for delivery only. Scout leader Mark Bonaparte offered an Eagle Scout project to have Scouts spread the mulch if the borough supplies the material. Councilman Ciasullo moved to allow up to $4,500 for the mulch project and gave Councilwoman Cowdrick authority to decide whether to hire the contractor or use volunteer/Eagle Scout labor; the motion passed by roll call.
The council also authorized the municipal clerk to advertise for a provisional appointment for a DPW assistant supervisor — an action framed by staff as necessary while Civil Service recruitment options are evaluated.
Other routine actions included approval of the consent agenda (meeting minutes and correspondence) and a roll-call approval to review payment of vouchers and finance reports. The council moved into executive session to discuss police contract negotiations; Councilwoman Cowdrick recused herself from that portion of the meeting.
Actions at a glance: - Consent agenda: approved (motions moved by Councilman DeMeo, seconded by Councilman Poyer). Vote: Alvarez, Ciasullo, Cowdrick, Poyer, Ruitenberg — yes; Councilman DeMeo recorded an abstention on item #1. - Ordinance 13-2023 (Plant Street) introduced and approved for introduction; public hearing Oct. 11 (mover: Councilman Ciasullo; seconder: Councilman DeMeo). - Ordinance 14-2023 (Firemen’s Park) introduced and approved for introduction; public hearing Oct. 11 (mover: Councilman Ciasullo; seconder: Councilman DeMeo). - Facility use (Heaters Pond concert) approved; $375 band fee authorized (mover: Councilman DeMeo; seconder: Councilman Ciasullo). - Playground mulch funding authorized up to $4,500; council left selection of contractor vs. volunteer/Eagle Scout work to Councilwoman Cowdrick (mover: Councilman Ciasullo; seconder: Councilwoman Cowdrick). - Authorization to advertise for provisional DPW assistant supervisor appointment approved (mover: Councilman DeMeo; seconder: Councilman Ciasullo). - Executive session adopted for police contract negotiations; Councilwoman Cowdrick recused herself for that session. - Payment of vouchers: motion approved to review and pay vouchers; council recorded roll call with Cowdrick absent for the vote.
The council set hearings for the introduced ordinances on Oct. 11 and directed staff to return with prepared ordinances, proposals and cost details where needed. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
