Displaying items by tag: Wilton, Arthur Johnson, John Lant, Joanne Klepetar, Gavin Park, Mark Marino, Robin Corrigan, senior center

WILTON – During its regular meeting on Sept. 7, the Wilton Town Board voted unanimously to raise fees for certain sporting events in Gavin Park and to purchase a transport van for local residents who visit the Lillian W. Worth Senior Center each week.

Gavin Park Director Mark Marino appeared before the board to explain fee increases that he devised for Junior NBA and pickle ball sessions, in addition to field and gym rentals and field trips.

The fees that support all of the park’s activities and programs are divided into three categories. Those for town residents are the least expensive, while city residents, students and non-residents of Wilton pay proportionally higher amounts.  

“All of the costs have gone up,” Marino said, noting in particular the employee wages, maintenance and materials that factor into Gavin Park’s routine operations.

Councilman John Lant raised his concern about the fee increase for pickle ball sessions, which presently cost town residents $3 for two hours.

“My belief is, if they’re Wilton residents, they should play for nothing,” Lant said, admitting how customers at his Maple Avenue auto-sales business have complained about such fee increases.

After some discussion, the town board voted to keep that $3 fee the same, as Lant had proposed, in lieu of raising it to $5 for the other categories.

The additional fee increases were approved as Marino had proposed. They involve Junior NBA sessions (now $135 for Wilton residents and $195 for non-residents); gym rental (now $60 and $80); field trips (now $825 and $1,300); and field rentals (now $40 and $45 for locals; they remain $65 and $75 for the other categories).    

“I think residents will be happy with this proposal,” concluded Wilton Supervisor Arthur Johnson.

In other business, Comptroller Jeffrey Reale requested that the town board accept the lowest bid—slightly over $35,000—for the purchase of a van that will be used for transporting residents to the senior activity center at the town complex on Traver Road. 

Councilwoman Joanne Klepetar had inquired about the timing of the van purchase and the selection of a driver, but ultimately voted in favor.

Johnson said that Saratoga County would reimburse the town roughly $20,000 for the expense. A Buffalo-based company, Main Mobility Inc., will furnish the van.

Town officials are planning a $6 million construction project next year that includes the demolition of the existing Lillian W. Worth Senior Center. A completely new facility for seniors will be built on 20 acres of town land off Northern Pines Road. 

At present, Johnson informed the board, Director Robin Corrigan uses her personal vehicle several days each week for providing rides to senior center functions.

“Robin needs to be over there and not driving these people around,” the supervisor said.

The board also approved the purchase of a cellular phone for Corrigan, so that she no longer has to incur the costs of using her own phone for senior center business. 

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