The ongoing struggle over the contract for Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course Pro Joe Merendo may finally be coming to an end. In a special meeting Monday night, the Common Council approved a compromise one season contract (from April through October) for Merendo which includes a $45,000 salary and allows him to keep proceeds from the pro shop and any golf lessons he charges for.
The council also passed a resolution allocating $24,000 to lease 30 golf carts from Five Star Golf Cars, which the city will operate and collect rental fees on. A tentative rental fee of $20 per cart was also adopted. Previously, Merendo had operated the carts and received the revenue from them.
3rd Ward Alderman Ron Barone pointed out that all revenue generated from the golf course will now go into it’s own fund rather than into the general fund so that the amounts can be tracked more accurately in the future.
The contract is still subject to approval by Merendo and review by his lawyer. Mayor Ann Thane said that she and Corporation Counsel Gerard DeCusatis will try to finalize everything with Merendo “as quickly as possible.”
