The Chautauqua Belle (courtesy of www.facebook.com/ChautauquaBelle)
MAYVILLE – A number of Chautauqua Belle supporters are expected to be in attendance Tuesday night during Mayville’s village board of trustees meeting.
At issue is a lease contract agreement between U.S. Steam Lines Ltd., the owners of the Chautauqua Belle, and the village, which owns the property where the Belle has been docked for nearly 40 years.
In January, the board reviewed the prior lease contract with the Chautauqua Belle and declined to renew it. A report Tuesday in the Post-Journal says that specifically, village leaders were uncomfortable with recurring late payments the owners had been making under the previous lease. As a result, they sent a letter to the owners saying the lease would not be renewed and requesting the boat be removed from village property at the earliest possible date.
Since then, however, Mayville Mayor Marty Bova says the village would be willing to enter into a new lease with different language addressing the concerns the village has. According to the Post-Journal, the latest draft calls for a two-year agreement, which the Belle owners have said is unacceptable.
The Chautauqua Belle is using Facebook to voice concerns with the process and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. With more than 5500 followers on the social media website, the Belle has garnered support for remaining in the village, and a large number of supporters are expected to be on hand Tuesday during the village’s monthly voting session.
The meeting – which includes a work session and the likely time that village officials will discuss the lease situation – begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
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