By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
By SHELLEY TERRY
Staff Writer
sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — A city councilwoman implores her fellow council members to spruce up the facilities at Walnut Beach.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Betty Kist wants the renovations done before the Wine and Walleye Festival, slated for Aug. 22-23 at Walnut Beach.
“For two years we
have promised to fix the bathrooms,” Kist said. “People from out of town will be coming here for the Wine and Walleye Festival ... (the bathrooms) will be a black-eye for us.”
City Manager Anthony Cantagallo said it will cost $24,000 to renovate the bathrooms.
City Auditor Michael Zullo said there’s $8,092 in the account.
Kist suggested council pull a little money from other accounts. She said maybe they could at least fix the sinks, although people coming from the beach like to take a shower.
“You could (pull money from some other accounts),” Zullo said.
Cantagallo wasn’t thrilled with the idea.
“If something goes out, we have a major problem,” he said.
City Solicitor Michael Franklin reminded council the city is on lay-off status, and money is tight.
Even so, Kist pressed on with the idea of fixing up the building, which was built during the early 1950s. The restrooms are especially atrocious, she said.
“Mrs. Kist, what part of this don’t you understand?” Cantagallo said. “We don’t have the money.”
Kist asked for a straw vote, but before one could be taken, Zullo said she needed a list of equipment.
“OK, I’ll get it,” Kist said.
Two years ago, the city put in a new $7,000 waterline. Big water bills pointed toward a leak. Crews could not determine where the leak was located, so the entire waterline had to be replaced.
