Council approves 2% raise for non-contract employees

OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Council unanimously approved a 2 percent salary increase for borough employees, excluding contract employees, at their April 25 meeting.
The increase is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016 and was already budgeted for 2016.
The council also discussed various topics pertinent to local government, including the status of police contracts, garbage bids, and repairs to the baseball field grandstand roof.
Mayor Steve Ciasullo said he and Councilwoman Regina Rizzo will meet with the police a second time to negotiate contracts.
Ciasullo also said he, Council President George Hutnick, and Larry Kovar of Aquatic Analysts, Inc., surveyed the pond. He also said regular maintenance will start in about a week depending on temperature. Then, Kovar will present a couple of plans to the council to improve the water condition better than it has been for years. The improvement process should take about two years.
Ciasullo also said the police will verify, per ordinance, only Ogdensburg residents use the pond and have proper stickers for boat fees and beach badges.
Finally, he said they are waiting for the state to approve the Ogdensburg plan regarding the dam.
Councilman David Astor gave a status of the garbage bids. He said he will meet with a representative of Global Inc. to clean up the contract, have it prepared for the next meeting, and give it to the lawyer to review.
Councilman Robert McGuire said the correct quote for rebuilding the frame of the baseball field grandstand roof, with pressure treated lumber, and replacing necessary seat boards is around $1,600 to $1800, including hardware. The Department of Public Works will complete the work.
McGuire also said he is having trouble getting quotes for the stairs to be fixed in front of Borough Hall. So far he has met with two people and called six more. He added it is a good job for someone, and he will make more calls
Councilwoman Rachel Slater discussed getting rid of rails at the pavilion because kids keep kicking them out and taking them.
Anthony Nasisi brought up the safety issue of loose concrete possibly falling down in the concession area at the pond. He and Slater will discuss next steps.
Slater brought up the Heater's Pond Committee. She said she and Councilman Peter Opilla and Nasisi had volunteered, and they still need another committee member.