Robyn Squires, an artist with architectural training who runs an art space at 7 Liberty Square, formerly the old Wayside Inn, came before the board to explain her plan for a temporary art installation along the fence in the paddock area just outside the building. This area was fenced previously by Dan Khasidy for a wine bar. The art project, called Village Walls 12428, will feature art pieces put up inside the fencing, attached to sheets of plywood, some of which will be eight feet high.

Squires plans a temporary art studio at 7 Liberty Square, thus setting up a neat art district through the heart of the village from Liberty Square along Market Street to the 9 Market Street gallery space.

The eight foot height of some of the plywood panels does not conform to village zoning which brought Squires to the board to seek a temporary approval.

“The installation will be only up for the summer and will be taken down by September 6,” she said.

Mayor Trent said that he was open to a temporary installation as long as it was removed or cut down to the six-foot height allowed in zoning by the required date.

A check with Code Enforcement Officer Dan Pollan brought a positive comment, too. The installation can go forward.

Rail Trail Law

The board scheduled a public hearing on a new law regarding motorized vehicles on the rail trail for June 9 at 6:15 pm. Mayor Trent said the law would be taken verbatim from the law already passed by the Wawarsing town board that banned motorized vehicles other than e-bikes from the trail. One change, however, will be made as the village will double the penalty fine to $100.

Repairs and Construction

A motion authorizing expenditure of $11,076 to Koester to repair the Ebara pump at the sewer department was passed by the board. However, another motion to buy a replacement pump was tabled. The cost of $19,835 was seen as too much for the cash strapped village to afford at this point.

A motion was passed that allows the mayor to sign an agreement concerning the Clinton Avenue bridge with Barton & Loguidice. Trent said this was “last hurdle” to be cleared before work can begin on the bridge.

Grants Strategy

Mayor Trent explained that the village will not pursue the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants because he has most have been awarded to bigger municipalities than Ellenville and usually involve major housing projects. Without such a project in the village, he said the focus should be on New York Forward grants, which top out at $5 million. The village is seeking a grant writer to move this forward.