Press-Republican

Local News

November 26, 2009

Vote set on Westport Central capital project

WESTPORT — Taxpayers will vote on a proposed $500,000 bond for Westport Central School to provide for an emergency generator, security upgrades and tennis-court repairs.

“We are taking on a very important project for the school,” said Westport Superintendent John Gallagher. “The high point of the project is the purchase and installation of a generator for the school. If passed, (it) will allow our building to be an emergency shelter for our citizens in the event of a catastrophic event like the Ice Storm of 1998.

“We also wish to do some security upgrades in the school and make our tennis courts usable again; both as a teaching station and as a community resource. I believe this project will receive wide support in the community.”

Oct. 27, the Board of Education passed two resolutions to put the capital project before the voters.

“As we develop this project, we will be meeting with community groups to explain the cost and financing ...” Gallagher said. “We have been actively seeking outside sources for funding and will continue to do so. The school should be a community center. This step is one way we can serve the area.”

The public can learn about the project at an information session in the school library at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. The vote is scheduled for noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, also at the school.

As well, Gallagher said, the school has been working with the town on plans for a shared municipal facility.

“Shared services save money,” he said.



Community concerns

George King is one local citizen who has expressed concerns and questions about the proposal.

“A number of people in the town are very disturbed by this project for a number of reasons; not the least of which is that this project, combined with problems with the retirement system costs, are going to balloon our school taxes this year and for years to come,” King said in an e-mail.

He wonders why the generator should be paid for by the district and not the town, what grants have been looked into as possible funding and whether the state has been approached for that purpose.

“Why is there an urgent need for a complete security overhaul?” he wrote. “If this is mandated, where is the money to follow the mandate?”

And what necessitates a vote so soon? he asked.



The project

The main components of the project are:

E Installation of an outdoor generator capable of powering the entire school, with automatic transfer switch, including acoustical weather enclosure, foundation, fencing, trenching, conduit and wiring.

E Electronic card access control hardware (retrofit to all 29 exterior doors).

E Securing the foyer entrance to streamline sign-in procedures for visitors. This is in keeping with security requirements imposed on schools, Gallagher said.

E Resurfacing the tennis courts to make them usable for the school and the community, repairing the storm drain and parking lot.

E Some minor modernization of the phone system to add voice messaging and increase efficiency and security.



BREAKDOWN

As the school is eligible for special and regular state aid, the net cost of the $500,000 project, officials said, would be $186,000. The resultant tax levy on a home assessed at $100,000 would be 25 cents per month or $3 annually. That doesn’t include the STAR exemption for some property owners.

A special election to replace board member Kathleen Carter-Martinez, who moved from the district, may also be on the ballot providing there is at least one applicant.

Gallagher and possibly one or more school-board members will meet with the Westport Chamber of Commerce at the Heritage House at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, to discuss the project.

For further information, contact Gallagher at 962-8244.



E-mail Alvin Reiner at:

rondackrambler@yahoo.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
New Today
  • Recovery Center to hold open house

    Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.

    Updated: 4 hours
Local News
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:22 am 1 Photo 1 Link
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Love between the lines

    Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 4:38 pm 2 Photos 1 Video
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 11:17 am 4 Photos 1 Slideshow 1 Video
  • Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 6:23 am
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:21 am 1 Link
  • Lookback: Feb. 13-19

    News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012

    Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas

    Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:26 am 3 Photos
  • February 12, 2012
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 9:09 pm 4 Photos
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 6:36 pm
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 3:47 pm 1 Photo
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Attempted-murder trial set

    The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • A historic battle for interracial marriage

    Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 3 Photos
  • Fireworks to close weekend carnival

    The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am 6 Photos 1 Video

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up
Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight 'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport