By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Council agreed this week to add six new handicapped parking spaces at the city dock with hopes of keeping youths from causing havoc.

City Manager John Pinkerton says the addition of the six new spaces at the city docks is dual purposed. He says the circle, which is a long-time local hangout for young adults, currently has no handicapped spaces. But he said he is also the hopeful the spaces will deter some of the vandalism, noise and littering that is occurring in the area.

Deputy Mayor Mike Morley said he supported adding the spaces, but argued that using them as a deterrent for youth congregations was not a valid reason to dedicate the spaces.

“You have to allow the teenagers to go down there,” he said. “I don’t want them chased out of there.”

Morley said the docks have been a longtime hangout for Ogdensburg teens and young adults.

“We all used to hang out there,” he said.

City councilor Jennifer Stevenson said the problems at the docks are more significant than in the past. She said the docks are the number one complaint she receives from the public and that the current group is loud and intimidating to others.

Stevenson reported benches thrown into the water and widespread littering.

“Maybe we are just getting old,” Morley said.

Morley said he supported the addition of the handicapped spaces, but opposed the reasons given.

Pinkerton pointed out that the spaces would also be serving the handicapped population.

Pinkerton said he is also working with Ogdensburg City Police Chief Richard Polniak to address the issue further.

City councilor Dan Skamperle requested the city include a 15-minute drop-off parking space to be included with the handicapped spaces. City Department of Public’s Work Supervisor Scott Thornhill said the plans would include that sort of access.

The measure passed unanimously.