For a small town and village in northern Cayuga County, county legislator Chris Palermo, R-Sterling, said entering into an agreement to slowly take ownership of West Barrier Bar is a big step forward for both municipalities.

Earlier this week county legislators entered into an intermunicipal agreement with the village of Fair Haven and the town of Sterling that will eventually place ownership of the 15 acres of land in the village and town's hands and out of the county's.

“I'm certain they have the best intentions,” Palermo said. “Hiring someone up there to patrol the area, it's something that's not happening now.”

County officials voted

unanimously to enter into the five-year plan, but Steve

Cuddeback, R-Niles, and Paul Dudley, R-Cato, had reservations.

Cuddeback said he didn't like the idea of a five-year ownership transition.

“You want it gone in 10 days, not five years,” Dudley said.

The agreement states that the Parks Commission also supports the proposal with the exception of a $5 charge to county residents while the county retains ownership and liability for the park. The $5 charge has been omitted from the transition plan.

West Barrier Bar, the 15 acres of land between Lake Ontario and Little Sodus Bay, has been transformed into a nuisance area with vandalism and some instances of violence.

By participating in the agreement, each year the plan decreases the county's fiscal involvement each year. The county still remains liable until the ownership is officially transferred to the future proprietors.

County Attorney Fred Westphal has explained that the municipalities want a long ownership transition to make sure it runs smoothly.

Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net