CASSADAGA - This summer there will be some changes to the beach program at Cassadaga.
The beach at Cassadaga opened on Saturday and will close on Aug. 24, and is again offering swimming lessons and crafts. The beach is free to anyone in the Village of Cassadaga as well as any child that is a school district resident. The recreation programs of Stockton, Gerry, and Sinclairville are also invited to come any Wednesday to enjoy the beach.
The difference will be the cost to non-district residents.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
Left to right: Deputy mayor Rodney Waite and Trustee Valerie Culverwell listen to discussion about the beach program.
Trustee Valerie Culverwell who runs the beach program said, "We do need to discuss what we are going to charge this year for people that live outside our school district. As you remember the last couple of years we have had some problems with out-of-towners. Many people from other school districts bring their children, drop them off for the day, and pay a buck a kid, and expect them to be babysat. That has become a huge problem. We've also had problems on the weekends with adults coming in and causing problems with their alcohol and not listening to our rules and feeling its their right not to listen."
Culverwell said, "We love our beach but the problem is ..."
"We need to protect it," finished Trustee Ron DeChard, the other member of the beach committee.
"We put a lot of money into our beach and besides the money we put a lot of effort into it. I look at it as the taxpayers need to get something back," DeChard said.
Eventually, the board passed a measure that non-resident adults (17 years or older) would be charged $8 and children 1-16 would be charged $5. The cost of a season pass for non-residents would increase from $35 to $60.
Culverwell also said people need to understand that children, grandchildren, and guests of village residents are allowed to use the beach for free.
The board also decided to purchase four "No Overnight Parking" signs to put along the beach fence. Culverwell reminded the board that there had been problems with people parking for extended periods of time.
The board also approved the hiring of the beach staff. Returning lifeguards are Heather Ames, David Carlson, Derrick Wise, and Matthew Woodard. Returning Water Safety Instructors, and lifeguards, are Paige Burnett and Taylor Gugino.
Newly hired lifeguards are Ann Hayes and Tyson Gugino, a junior lifeguard. In addition, four recreation aides were hired: TammieAnne Wichlacz, Charlene DeChard, Jill Pavlock, and Hannah Richard.
Comments on this article may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
