Zoo New York wants temporary hold on loan payments

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - Watertown’s Zoo New York wants a loan it has to be put on pause. It’s the latest development as the organization straightens out its financial situation which also includes trying to get more Watertown tax money, but it’s not in the budget right now.

The zoo is open and the animals are ready for their close-ups.

“We’re going to make the most of it and have one wild summer,” said Mark Irwin, the zoo’s interim director.

Zoo officials say there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon like immersing yourself in a butterfly exhibit, opening this weekend.

“It’s the only zoo in New York state that has local native butterflies in it,” said Irwin.

You can also adopt your own garden.

“Decorate them up for the season,” said Irwin.

Like the gardens, Zoo New York is ready to bloom but is still working out some financing issues.

It owes $30,000 of a $40,000 loan from the Watertown Local Development Corporation. That decision could come on Tuesday.

“We’ve asked if there could be a moratorium, a temporary hold on payments, just to give us some maneuvering room to get things done this summer,” said Irwin.

The zoo opened this season thanks to $100,000 approved by the city council in April, but no funding exists in next year’s proposed budget.

Council Member Ben Shoen says when it comes to the budget, the city is asking a lot of its taxpayers. He says right now he’s hesitant to give money to the zoo if it can’t secure enough funding to operate fully.

Council Member Cliff Olney says this past winter’s loss could be the zoo’s gain, pointing to money saved from snow removal last season. He says the budget savings were around $400,000.

“I know the city used a little of that for a couple of projects, but I’ve just sent into the comptroller asking for clarity on how much is left of that, and I’d like to see that used, if we can, to get a budget item in,” he said.

Council Member Robert Kimball says he’s in favor of some sort of funding for the zoo, although the number remains up in the air. He says he hopes to see it in the budget which will likely get approved next week.

In the past, Council Member Lisa Ruggiero has supported funding for the zoo.

Mayor Sarah Pierce said she maintains her stance that the zoo should be re-imagined as something like the wild center in Tupper Lake.

The zoo is also looking for volunteers. You can learn more here.

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