Northville school to propose project
By JOEL DITATA, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
NORTHVILLE - The Northville Central School District will propose a $3.8 million capital improvement project.
The district has not yet decided when the project will be put up for a public vote.
Most of the cost would be paid for by the state. The proposal would cost the average property taxpayer around $25 per year, school officials said.
The capital project would update the school's facilities, such as replace the school's windows, which were installed in 1933.
"I think it's a reasonable request from the public and could be passed. This project needs to be done right," school board Vice President James Beirlein said at a meeting Tuesday.
The project also would include improving the parking lot, removing the gym boiler, installing a new security system, replacing floors and improving technology by bringing in an electronic SmartBoard for classroom instruction.
The replacement of single-pane windows with double- and triple-pane windows would save the school "thousands," board member Neil Muscatiello said.
"If snow is blowing through a 4-foot hole in the wall, that's not very efficient," said Muscatiello, referring to the single- pane windows.
The school would receive state aid for the project.
District officials did not know the percentage of aid Tuesday.
"I believe this is a very doable project," said Muscatiello, former superintendent of the district.
The project, which board members said they've been planning for more than two years, would have some effect on taxpayers. The effect would be "an average of $24 to $25 annually for an average home valued at $100,000," said Beirlein.
Some taxpayers, however, would pay less than $5 in additional taxes because of School Tax Relief exemptions.
Facebook
MySpace
Digg
Stumble
Mixx
Fark
del.icio.us
LiveSpaces
|
RedCamp
|
|
|---|---|
|
12-12-09 12:06 PM
|
Replacing windows is rarely something that can be done on it's own. It should be done with upgrades in ventilation AND heat scavengers in exhaust air to avoid mildew and continued high energy costs despite new windows. Something that would not alter the building's character would be to renovate the old windows and install a heat pump with a plastic pipe in the Sacandaga to extract heat from. The river end of the lake offers the perfect waters to extract heat without affecting the lakes enviroment It could heat the whole building cheaply while needing no alterations to the ventilation or increase the risk of mildew and health problems for personel and students.
|
|
bubbasdad
|
|
|
12-11-09 7:54 PM
|
If you believe this will only cost you $24 to $25 per year you are the fool they hope you are
|
|
Forthegood
|
|
|
12-10-09 6:31 PM
|
All of the comments made are welcome and provide the district with guidance as it prepares a plan for the district's taxpayers. There is much information that the public deserves and must be provided before any referendim is proposed. Thank you all for any informative input. Please check the district's website in the next few weeks for information about the proposed project. Thank you all for your input and for future questions that need to be addressed.
|
|
RedCamp
|
|
|
12-10-09 4:57 AM
|
Old buildings breathe in a simple manner - blow in heat and let it seep out carrying with it dampness and air particles. The frost barrier in the walls are very sensitive to the amount of dampness in the interior and the saturation in the brickwork. This is why old buildings survive - the widespread seepage of heat (and with it water vapors) prevent buildup in the mortar that will freeze and crack the exterior during winter. Also by sealing up the windows the risk for fungal growth inside will increase with every procent extra humidity indoors. Conclusion? Adress ventilation capacity and check frequently for fungi after any renovation because the building will not breathe as desighned any longer
|
|
Ricktavious
|
|
|
12-09-09 9:49 PM
|
Forthegood, thank you for the tip, I went to the site you suggested and found no information on this proposal. I am not attacking Northville, the BOE or any one person. It is the overall condition that needs consideration... the project seems on its face to be worthy, but too often its the "while we're at it" items that drive costs skyward. Every dollar for this project will need to be borrowed. A million dollars here a hundred thousand there, another couple million over there and pretty soon you're talking some real money.
|
|
Ricktavious
|
|
|
12-09-09 9:27 PM
|
Popeye with all due respect its the sum of all the parts that often makes the whole, or money hole if you will, so large. As a "clerk of the works" I'm sure you realized quickly it was the small seemingly innocuous costs that drove projects off budget and most often lead to short-cuts and shoddy workmanship. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted with small brush strokes. That is the reason these projects all need scrutiny, and they are never funded solely by the local taxpayer and that's the blind eye that must be opened. If you ask me to help fund the lion's share of your project don't be offended if I ask questions or seem a tad cynical.
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
12-09-09 8:30 PM
|
Single pain windows just don't cut it in public buildings. I'm amaized they didn't address this problem years ago. It is not 1933 any more.
|
|
Popeye
|
|
|
12-09-09 8:23 PM
|
I wonder how many of you "nay-sayers" smoke and/or drink. I would think that the $25 annual cost felt by local taxpayers would be a small sacrifice to insure a proper invironment for teaching your children. State taxes and the Hudson River fiasco not withstanding you have no justification for your pig-headedness. I have 50 plus years of construction experience, thirteen of which were as the on site representative (clerk of the works) for school districts. I've seen it all from shoddy construction to absolute corruption. With all the proposed "fixes" this project sounds like it is long overdue and, more importantly, cost effective. I suggest your attention would be focused on bigger projects such as Gloversville.
|
|
Forthegood
|
|
|
12-09-09 8:05 PM
|
Let me also add that information from newspapers is only a partial account. Please look for answers from the administration and the Board of Education. View the district website at ****northvillecsd.k12.ny.us. I'm sure your involvement will be appreciated.
|
|
Forthegood
|
|
|
12-09-09 7:58 PM
|
All of these comments are valid in light of the fact that the district has not published the full nature of the renovations and the cost that could be incurred if the upgrades are not done. An informative overview is needed before the district taxpayers are asked to vote on any project resolution. What we all need to do is to keep the debate rational and informative and not emotional. This is a great school district. Let's keep it that way.
|
|
Ricktavious
|
|
|
12-09-09 5:40 PM
|
A couple more questions ... Before asking Nothville residents to foot the bill for these improvements what has the School District have in mind to cover shortfalls caused by the lack of payments from the Hudson River Black River Regulating District? Will the School Tax Relief Exemptions exist with coming state budgets, or will they be phased out to close spending gaps?
|
|
Ricktavious
|
|
|
12-09-09 4:18 PM
|
Here we go get on board the school capital improvement train ... Gloversville now Northville ....Next? Come on Leader Reporters "The proposal would cost the average property taxpayer around $25 per year, school officials said." Yes that's the cost to school district property owners but the state doesn't print money it comes from those taxpayers and others around the state.You repeating without question just what you are told ... accepting everything at face value. Let me try to help with a few questions ... how many windows will be replaced at what cost per window. The proposal sounds as if outdated energy inefficient windows are the focus of the project but what about the other "improvements, what are their costs in comparison to the alleged focus of spending. How absolutely necessary are the other improvements. Is it prudent to base taxpayer spending and debt on the hope of being reimbursed by a government entity that is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy?
|
|
Surreal
|
|
|
12-09-09 4:05 PM
|
as a former student of that school a few years back, i can personally attest to snow blowing right through the windows in every room I've been in in the main part of the building. You cant see cracks in the windows, but somehow, it comes right in. They are VERY inefficient and this should have been done years ago. As far at the smart board or whatever, well, that could always wait.. The windows need to be installed 30 years ago
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
12-09-09 11:16 AM
|
I hope nobody will be a single pain about this.
|