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HOMES EVERY WEEK! Valley News
June 15, 2019
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
‘Boquet Valley Central School’ chosen Meyer selected as superintendent for Griffin students By Kim Dedam STA FF W RITER
ELIZABETHTOWN | The School Board of merged Westport and Elizabethtown-Lewis Central schools voted unanimously to call its new district Boquet Valley Central School. The early public comment session was enlivened by a rhythmic plea in prose presented by student Lawrence Lobdell, of Westport, who will graduate from the merged district next year. “Boquet Valley is the one and only,” he said, suggesting Eastern Adirondack, the second option on the table, was a less distinct, amorphous name. “The Boquet River is a perfect example of what this merge could be,” Lobdell said, pointing out that it is the waterway that connects the three towns, Elizabethtown, Lewis and Westport. “BVCS is the dopest acronym, EAC — it’s just so bland,” he opined. Lobdell had many in the large audience of about 70 residents laughing as he made his point, so much so that several school board members admitted his presentation was convincing. In a School Identity Transition Advisory Team straw poll vote among students and adults in all three communities, BVCS earned 78 percent favor overall.
Jim Rule, chairman of Westport’s Board of Fire Commissioners, stands in the well that serves as an office, meeting and kitchen behind the Hose Co. #1’s fire truck bays. Photo by Kim Dedam
Westport Hose Co. #1 presents design of new fire station $3 million project would provide eight bays, decontamination area, office, training, storage, meeting space for both fire and EMS By Kim Dedam STA FF W RITER
WESTPORT | Westport Hose Co. #1 presented schematic drawings, site plans and cost estimates for their prospective new fire station last week.
» School board Cont. on pg. 3
The fire company purchased 5.5-acres off Route 22 about a mile north of the Hamlet, across Commercial Lane from Bessboro Builders and Supplies. Jim Rule, chairman of the Westport Board of Fire Commissioners said the community has known for decades that the allvolunteer fire department needs a new fire station. Space is confined at the current location, so much so that the new fire truck purchased last year had to be specially designed to fit the garage. Doors for two rigs side-by-side cannot open at the same time. The “kitchen sink” area is stuffed behind a stairway under a sloped ceiling with loosened tiles. The meeting space doesn’t hold everyone at the same time, meaning firefighters use the stairway like bleachers. Rule shared important updates the new station would bring to the fire company and its ability to respond quickly. » Fire station Cont. on pg. 2
Stec gives positive outlook on Essex County EMS bill
INGOD WETRU ST
New positions look likely to be added to emergency services By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
Stec meets with the BOS: Assemblyman Dan Stec addresses the Essex County Board of Supervisors Monday, June 10, at a specially-called meeting addressing the passage of the EMS bill for Essex County. Photo by Laura Achouatte
ELIZABETHTOWN | The Essex County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting in addition to their regular meeting June 10. Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-114th District) made the trek North to the Essex County building in Elizabethtown to impart some good news and carry back to Albany the resolution of the companion bill he sponsored to the Assembly Local Governments Committee, a revision of the bill the Board of Supervisors sent to Albany. Some wording needed to be
revamped to accommodate what the county has in mind for the EMS plan, which shies away from usage of such words as “district” and their legal implications. The new document revised was set to be resolved by the board and further mirrored by the Senate and most likely approved by the governor this week. Daniel E. MacEntee, director of communications for Sen. Betty Little’s office, said, “Senator Betty Little sponsors the bill (S1997). The legislation was introduced at the request of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.” “Communities in Essex County are seeing increasing difficulty meeting the emergency health care needs of their residents,” said Little. “Response times lag far behind the state average but it certainly isn’t for lack of trying. The volunteers and paid staff we have are incredible, but there are too few of them. » Stec Cont. on pg. 8
Journey to mental wellness
ELIZABETHTOWN | Honeysuckle, vanilla and possibly amber. A hug of warm scents embrace you as you enter the Essex County Mental Health Office in Elizabethtown. From the initial entrance into the building, aromatherapy works its magic on those that come here. The building is filled with natural light and warm faces, creating an invitation to many hesitant hopefuls on the road to recovery.
By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
» Mental health Cont. on pg. 9
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Contact Ciara 518-873-6368 ext 211 ciara @suncommunitynews.com
Erin Donaldson and therapist Jackie Torrance talk about Donaldson’s journey to mental wellness recently in Elizabethtown. Donaldson hopes telling her story will make it easier for others to reach out. Photo by Nathan Ovalle
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Local woman speaks about struggle with mental health