B-B construction project goes back to voters

B-B construction project goes back to voters

Residents in the Byron-Bergen Central School District will have an opportunity to learn more about proposed changes in the $29.5 million 2007 Improvements Project during an informational meeting October 10 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. A vote on the revised project is scheduled for October 16.

Byron-Bergen Central School Superintendent Gregory Geer said the meeting will help residents better understand the capital project and changes that have been made since it was rejected by district voters in June by a vote of 658-543. "Last time some people didn't have a clear understanding of how it all fit together," Geer said. "It is a complex project. I would like to reiterate that people can take advantage of the session and the school website (www.bbcs.k12.ny.us) to get information."

Informational releases from the district state that the proposed project will, "Improve student safety and campus security; update facilities and technological infrastructure to accommodate current and future instructional needs; increase state aid and reduce district taxpayer costs by combining maintenance and alteration work into a single capital project and provide physical education/wellness/athletic facilities that comply with current state requirements and meet the community's needs for wellness and recreation." The proposal calls for a new gymnasium, new space for music programs, creating new libraries by converting the current high school gym and a centralized location for administration and guidance offices.

Geer said the proposal includes several needed infrastructure improvements. "We are running out of electrical capacity, are in need of a new roof and we have reached the limit of our sewage disposal capacity. Some aspects of the school are very modern, other places have had very little done to them. The seats in the auditorium are the original ones from when the school was built in the 1950's."

District voters need to take a look at the financial picture of the modified proposal, Geer said. "The price tag is significantly lower. Proposition #2, which called for access roads and other work, is out. By removing this proposition, we essentially reduce the local tax share by one-half." At $1.6 million, Proposition #2 would have cost $.42/$1,000 assessed value, Geer said.

"The cost of the revised plan is $.54 per $1,000 assessed value, less than the project that was voted on in June," he said.

According to district information, the local share of the project will be $3.8 million. About half of that cost will be raised through local taxes, the remainder will come from the Capital Reserve Fund established last spring, interest earnings and funds left from the 2006-2007 budget, Geer said. School taxes would increase about $.32 per $1,000 assessed value for those without STAR exemptions, according to figures from the district.

Village of Bergen resident Doug Susat said he doesn't have a problem with the district addressing infrastructure needs, but he doesn't feel there is any need for new construction. "We should maintain what we have. We want to fix the buildings but we don't need new buildings and driveways. They want a horseshoe driveway around the front. We don't need that, we need a new roof and heating and electrical systems. The school building project was voted down on June 6 and since the administration and the board of education didn't like the outcome, we're going back to the polls on the 16th of October. People didn't want it June 6 and they don't want it now."

Geer said he is aware of the concerns of residents who feel the project is too big. "We need to take advantage of state aid when we can. Construction costs are not going to get any cheaper. We're already way down the road in planning a bigger project. It is the product of three years of planning. This has not been slapped together," he said.

The vote on the project will be held Tuesday, October 16 in the high school wrestling/fitness room from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.