In a special meeting Monday morning, trustees voted to approve a proposal put together during the last week by Dr. Theodore Peters, the chair of the streets committee.

A week ago during the board's regular monthly meeting, Peters introduced a motion supporting the idea of a boat washing facility and proposed investigating what would be required. The motion came following a presentation by the Otsego Lake Association about the non-native mussel and its potential impact on the village which gets its drinking water from the lake. Villages the size of Cooperstown can typically spend as much as $25,000 a year dealing with the mussel in their water systems.

Peters told the trustees Monday morning that after investigation, it was decided that operating two washing stations at the Fair Street and Fish Road launches would not be feasible. It was feared the close quarters at both sites could lead to congestion and delays in launching. The proximity to the Lakefront Motel was also a concern because of additional noise early in the morning, although electric pressure washers are being used because they are quieter than the gasoline engine powered units, Peters said.

Instead, the washing station will be located at the north end of the village garage on Linden Avenue. The system calls for two attendants; one at the launch area to inform boaters of the washing program and to also check for verification boats were washed, the second would be at the Linden Avenue site to conduct the washing.

The Otsego Lake Association will provide the funds to purchase the wash unit, signage and storage shed or the equipment itself. Money for a boat washing station was included in a state grant application submitted by Otsego Lake Watershed Manager Win McIntyre earlier. That grant has been approved preliminarily and is currently going through the final approval process. The money is not yet in hand, but according to association president Robert Einreinhofer, the organization will come up with the funds anticipated from the grant to pay for machines and support equipment.

The village will contribute an estimated $4,600 to provide two attendants, utilities, insurance, installation costs and other miscellaneous expenses. The village's share will come from the general fund contingency.

If the machines can be obtained quickly, Peters said the washing could begin as early as September 3 and will run through the first of November. The voluntary program was put together quickly and Peters readily admits its is by no means perfect, but is a trial project. He will head up a committee with trustee Milo Stewart Jr. and Lake Street resident and Otsego Lake Association member Carl Good to revamp the project for next year when it may become mandatory and carry with it a fee that would help the village recover costs.

"I'd like to see us break even," Trustee Lee Malone comments.

Mayor Carol Waller said she agreed, but that the lake was the first priority. "We will have the winter to work it out. In the meantime, I believe this will help," she said.

"By approving the boat washing station, the leadership of Cooperstown sent a clear message that they care about the health of Otsego Lake. The association couldn't be happier with the outcome," said Einreinhofer.

There are still bugs to be worked out of the plan, including a way to exempt local boats, particularly those of fishermen who launch their boat each time they go fishing, but only in Otsego Lake. There may also be an exemption for boats which have been out of the water for a week or more.