By Kate Hill

On July 14, the Village of Manlius Board of Trustees discussed the use of village facilities for the months of July and August.
Mayor Paul Whorrall started the conversation by describing the challenges associated with allowing groups to rent/reserve spaces in Mill Run Park, like the Whorrall Pavillion.
“There is just no way we can police it,” he said. “If somebody says they are going to have 25 people and 100 people show up and something happens, we are responsible because it is our facility. Yet, I’m not going to take the time to drive around on weekends to see if these people are following the rules . . . I don’t know what you want to do and I know it’s a tough situation . . . I can tell you right now that a local restaurant in Liverpool just got fined $30,000 for not following the rules . . . In East Syracuse they’ve hired someone to clean their parks every two hours. If you want us to do that, we can do that, but I don’t want to do that and I don’t think the taxpayers want us to do that.”
Public Works Superintendent Chris Sherwood reported that the Town of Manlius is in the process of producing signs for the village parks and playgrounds.
According to Whorrall, the signs state that visitors must practice social distancing and wear masks at all times unless seated. The signs also note that each facility is limited to 50 percent maximum occupancy and that visitors may use the equipment and bathrooms at their own risks.
“[The signs say] the bathrooms and playground equipment have been sanitized every morning and you’re on your own for the rest of the day,” said Whorrall.
Trustee Tom Pilewski said as long as the village follows the Onondaga County guidelines, he is “OK” with approving one reservation per facility a day.
“We need those signs . . . and when [renters] give the deposit, they need to get the rules, so it is explicitly stated what the [guidelines] are under the terms of that rental,” Pilewski said. “ . . . We can’t police them, Paul, but we certainly can give them a strong handout saying ‘be responsible.’”
Pilewski also suggested that the maximum number of people at each facility be reduced to below 50 percent and that renters be advised to bring their own hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.
Additionally, Pilewski noted that he was not comfortable with approving any inside gatherings, including those that have been requested for the Recreation Building.
Fire Chief Jansen Casscles similarly advised against the public use of the Manlius Fire Department Community Room.
Trustee Hank Chapman said he would support outdoor rentals/reservations only, and Trustee/Deputy Mayor Janice Abdo-Rott said she approved of once a day rentals if the village would not be legally liable.
Village Attorney Brad Hunt said there is no way for the village to guarantee that it will not be sued or liable.
“I think if you are going to allow it — and I am certainly sympathetic to wanting to allow people to reserve the pavilion in the park — the key is to . . . make sure that it is contingent on them abiding by all applicable rules and guidelines,” Hunt said. “We may also need to have a reservation where if it is determined that it is not possible for whatever group to abide by these guidelines, then we can pull the plug . . .”
Hunt added that he endorsed Chapman’s suggestion that renters be required to sign some sort of “waiver of responsibilities” acknowledging the rules.
Ultimately, the board voted to prohibit the public use of all indoor village facilities for the months of July and August.
Pilewski concluded the conversation saying that the recreation board planned to meet the following week to finalize the outdoor facility rental guidelines and make a determination about outdoor programming, including movies in the park.
“We will make a decision and we’ll make the recommendations, and if this board has to vote by email about whether they approve it or not, I think that’s the way to go,” Pilewski said.
Manlius village board meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Manlius Village Centre, 1 Arkie Albanese Avenue, Manlius.
For more information, visit manliusvillage.org or call the Clerk’s Office at 315-682-9171.