The Skaneateles Town Board held a special meeting July 1 to attend to the shifting operation of the Skaneateles Community Center. The board passed, unanimously, a 4-page resolution that eliminated 107 positions from the town’s Parks and Recreation Department and reclassified one.
It reads, “[A}s a result of the Town of Skaneateles no longer operating the Community Center after July 31, 2010, the Town no longer has the necessity to employ certain positions in its recreation department.” It was resolved “that for reasons of economy and in the best interests of taxpayers of the Town of Skaneateles,” the positions be abolished, and the benefits therein canceled, effective July 31.
Employees will be given written notification of the exact employment termination and benefit cancellation dates.
A letter to the Skaneateles Press drafted by the Skaneateles Town Board and published June 23 spoke to the employment options being offered to affected staff:
“Representatives of the Y have been on-site since June 1 talking with Community Center staff to evaluate their needs and determine what opportunities will be available for employees. Town board members have been asked by many Community Center staff about their fate and continued employment with the town. Each and every time, all employees were told to be open-minded, meet with Y representatives and consider opportunities that may be available to them. No position was guaranteed or protected.”
Ice time
The resolution clarified a potential gray area in the operation of Austin Park Pavillion, stating that the town will not be operating the ice rink during the times that ice is necessary. The YMCA will take on ice-related operation at the pavilion.
