The city of Ogdensburg’s public ice skating rink is in need of a new mechanical caretaker.

The 32-year-old Zamboni machine that has maintained the ice at the Richard G. Lockwood Civic Center is dying and its engine has already been rebuilt twice.

A third rebuilt engine plus a full overhaul will cost $24,000.

“The engine is burning coolant,” Parks and Recreation Director Matthew J. Curatolo said Tuesday. “It’s on its way out,”

On Monday, the city council gave Mr. Curatolo its blessing to travel to New Jersey to check out a used 1993 propane-fueled Zamboni with a $32,000 price tag. If he likes it, the money to pay for it will be taken from the public works department’s vehicle budget.

The other options, Mr. Curatolo told the councilors, are priced out of consideration. A new, electric-powered Zamboni can be had for $120,000. A propane-powered model costs $95,000 which is $1,000 more than one that runs on gasoline.

In other business, New York Conference of Mayors public service awards were given to the following city employees:

—-Fire department: Frederick J. Badlam Jr., Thomas M. Beauchamp, Donald McCarthy and Terry L. Shaver, all 25 years.

—-Public works: Bryon A. Montroy , water treatment plant, 25 years.

—-Ogdensburg Public Library: Jo-Ellen Murray, 25 years.

—-Parks and recreation department: Timothy D. O’Reilly, 25 years.

—-Comptroller’s office: Deborah A. Mitchell, 35 years.

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