By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg recreation commissioners are recommending a reduction in hours at the city’s skate park in order to reduce the cost of monitors.

In July, the commission had discussed closing the park after a variety of behavioral problems in the area forced to the city to hire a monitor.

However, Ogdensburg Recreation Director Matthew Curatolo presented a plan that would allow the park to stay open and save the city money.

Curatolo recommended city council keep the skate park open, but reduce hours from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Earlier in the spring, issues such as fighting, swearing and other negative behavior caused the department to implement a skateboard park monitor for the summer at a cost of roughly $4,500, a report from Curatolo said.

This new plan would cost roughly $2,100. Staff could adjust and alter the reduced hours as well, but limit it to 18 hours a week.

Curatolo said the monitor has “helped curb the negative behavior and skateboarders are able to enjoy the facility without being harassed by people hanging out or kids on bikes getting into the way.”

According to a report from the city manager, commission members agreed that a monitor was needed and that reducing the hours was more beneficial then closing the skateboard park outright.

The commission’s recommendation to city council was to reduce the hours of operation and to continue to have a monitor in place when the park was open.

Curatolo also stated that he was going to give the monitor more duties to help in the Greenbelt area when working, the report said.

Ogdensburg city council will likely discuss the recommendation at the next city council meeting.