Webutuck voters to decide on projects

WEBUTUCK — The Board of Education has set Tuesday, Nov. 13, for a school election to decide whether to approve school building and transportation projects.

 

The first resolution asks voters to approve a project that will replace the roof at Millerton Elementary School, which would include new coping and parapet repair.

District Superintendent Richard Johns said the roof replacement is necessary due to its age.

"Right now it has no leaks in it, but it’s well past its warranty," Johns said. "We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we have a severe roof leak in the middle of winter."

While it is not listed on the resolution, Johns wrote in his "Key Communicator" e-mail newsletter that approval of the resolution by voters would lead the way for the district to go forward with two other projects: the installation of a back-up well pump at the elementary school, and a project to install security systems at Webutuck Elementary School, Eugene Brooks Middle School and Webutuck High School. The security project would include the installation of a new lock system for doors in the buildings and electronic equipment to operate the new system.

Johns wrote that the $705,000 for all three projects would be completely covered by EXCEL Aid and state building aid and no new taxation to property owners would result from the resolution’s approval.

The second resolution asks voters to approve the school district’s purchase of five new school buses at a cost not to exceed $213,000.

Johns said the district is having problems maintaining vehicles to properly pass state inspections.

"It’s a full-time job to keep the buses running," he said. "The problem is the bus can come off its bus route with problems and if the vehicle inspector comes in that day it will not pass. Eventually, it gets to a point where you’re fighting a losing battle with school buses."

He said that many of the buses in the district were made before 2000 and have been driven over 150,000 miles.

"After 150,000 miles, they’re not really too reliable," he said. "They all have to be inspected, and if they don’t pass inspection, we can’t pick up students."

The school votes will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Webutuck High School library.

Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot will be mailed to the voter.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less