Keuka Maid owner in talks with Urbana officials to move boat to Penn Yan
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

It may be time to say goodbye to The Keuka Maid.

HAMMONDSPORT- The owner of the Keuka Maid will meet with the Urbana Town Board next month to discuss lease options for the beleaguered tour boat.

Councilman James Pressley told the board he was recently contacted by Robert Pfuntner regarding the boat's temporary lease with the town, which expires at the end of March.

Pressley said Pfuntner has been unable to get the Keuka Maid relocated to Penn Yan, and the popular tour boat may have to be dismantled if there is no new agreement with the town board.

"I'd like us to try and work with him," Pressley said.

The Keuka Maid has been unable to leave port since last spring, due to new federal marine safety standards requiring the hull of the boat be inspected.

The 100-ton, 93-foot-long boat is too h eavy to lift out of the lake for adequate inspection. The boat partially sank once last summer near shore during a wedding party.

Last fall, plans to move the Keuka Maid to the north end of the lake fell through.

Urbana officials then agreed to give Pfuntner a four-month lease totaling $3,500, with one-month renewals possible after March 31.

In other action:

• The board agreed to request a review of the town's financial records by the state Auditor's Office. Councilman Paul Martuscello said the review is not a full-blown audit and is a way for new board members to be updated on the town's financial dealings.

• Officials said they also expect Halliburton Oil will pay for recent, extensive damage done to Glen Brook Road. Town Highway Supervisor David Buckley said the firm has offered to assist in repairing the roads. An estimate of total damages is pending, Buckley said.