Over the summer, the Piermont Rowing Club and village government tackled a two-month long debate—boats, or parking spaces?

The village ultimately chose to relocate the rowing club—which was located in the municipal parking lot adjacent to Piermont Library—to a hillside near Parelli Park. The rowing club's old spot will be converted into eight new parking spaces for the downtown.

Now, the village and club have set a timeline for the renovation of the new space: a comprehensive plan is due February, and work is expected to be completed in May.

"I realize we're going into the winter, but I would certainly like to see [the project completed] by the spring," said village trustee Steve Silverberg.

The Piermont Rowing Club will pay a reduced fee, since they are covering the improvement costs. Originally, the fee was set at $4,500 per year—now it is $1,800 per year.

The contract will run three years; the rowing club will pay $5,400 over that time period, rather than $13,500. The club will pay the first two years' fee up front, and the third year's fee in January of 2013.

Still, trustees noted the low price is not a future benchmark.

"There's a significant reduction in payment... based on improvements," explained mayor Christopher Sanders. "Please be sure that the board will most likely come back to a rate that is closer to where we were."

At past board meetings, members of the rowing club noted they were happy to remain in a spot near the Hudson.

"We're grateful to be able to have a space near the river," said Ellen Hart, the club's president. "We're happy to work with the town to make it look beautiful."