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Valley News
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• EDITION •
Crash on Rte. 86 claims life of Jay woman
Boquet Valley board seeks architect for new school Sup’t. Meyer recommends district retain architect for planning, site search
Accident occurred east of Lake Placid before River Rd. intersection
By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
WESTPORT | The Boquet Valley Central School Board approved a move to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) for an architect to guide site and design of a new school building. Superintendent Josh Meyer brought the recommendation to the board last week, saying the Boquet Valley Transition Team-Facilities Committee had reached the decision with a vote, 7 to 2. “The facilities committee on Dec. 4 voted to recommend that BVCSD move forward with plans to build a new pre-K-12 school,” he said. RFP to retain an architect would formalize community and school efforts to further discuss, design and find a site for a building to encompass all grades, Meyer said. “There would be a lot of community involvement in this.” The district plans to make the hire by March or April 2020. Board member Dina Garvey reminded the board, and the many residents and teachers who attended the meeting, that an RFP merely helps organize a formal process to look at new building construction. The measure would have to go to public referendum vote. Through Merger Study Committee review last year, consultants suggested that the district consider new construction, making use of the 90 percent state building aid match that sunsets within 10 years of the merger. A new building could be built between Westport and Elizabethtown, and designed to accommodate the entire Pre-K to 12 student population. Meyer said there were no land parcels considered yet for the site. “Every architect we talked to said they would love to be involved in choosing the land,” he said. Land acquisition would also go to a public referendum vote before any action moved forward. Meyer suggested an architect
By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
Susan Apelt
Above: Boquet Valley Central School Superintendent Josh Meyer presents the School Board with initial plans to change building use, creating an elementary school and a middle/high school in the district next school year. Photo by Kim Dedam
could guide the process toward a vote early in the 2020-21 school year, possibly next December. “There would be a four to five-year design/build timetable after the vote, in the event it is approved,” he said. Merger study consultants had provided a potential cost-analysis for a $50 million new district building project that, with 90 percent state aid, would cost the taxpayers here approximately $5 million. The school board unanimously approved the move to launch RFPs to
retain an architect to assess school building and design project options. BUILDING USE CHANGE: 2020-21 Meyer also presented the school board with revision plans in-theworks to change building use next year. He expects to make a final recommendation at their meeting in January. But he laid out concerns with the blended elementary/middle and elementary/high school use See NEW SCHOOL » pg. 3
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RAY BROOK | A Jay woman was killed on State Route 86 Wednesday around 1:51 p.m. last week as snow squalls pulsed through the region. Susan P. Apelt, 64, was pronounced dead at the crash site between Cobble Hill Road and the Rte. 86 intersection at River Road, east of the Village of Lake Placid. She was a passenger in a 2014 Subaru Forester driven by her husband, Richard R. Apelt, 73, also of Jay. The couple were headed east, according to State Police. Police said the Apelt’s vehicle struck a westbound 2018 Infinity SUV driven by Caroline M. Kessell, 19, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Apelt was transported to the University of Vermont Health Network -- Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, according to police reports. Mr. Apelt is the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Rotary Club of AuSable Valley. The organization expressed their sorrow in a public statement via social media. “Susan was a lovely, kind and sweet person. Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with her family at this time. Sue’s husband Richard is our Sergeant-at-Arms,” Rotarians said. “We are here for you in your time of need, Richard.” The AusableAcres Property Owners Association also expressed condolences in a statement on Friday. “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the unfortunate passing of Sue Apelt, an Acres resident and dear friend to many of us, not only in the Acres but our wider community,” the statement says. “Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with Richard and family at this very sad time. It is times like this that puts us to the test, and we will be there for Richard, as we all get through the grief and despair of this tragedy. Let us keep Sue’s memory alive through kindness and support to remind us of the vibrant, loving, giving and compassionate person that Sue was.” Ms. Kessell was not injured in the collision, police said. This crash remains under investigation. ■
Whallonsburg Grange awarded $10,000 Grant funds support renovations a From Staff Reports WHALLONSBURG | A grant award of $10,000 from the Cloudsplitter Foundation moves the Whallonsburg Grange Hall closer to opening the Whitcomb’s Garage building for small business workspace next spring. Grange Board of Directors’ Vice President Andy Buchanan accepted a check from Cloudsplitter Director Chenelle Palyswiat last week during a tour of the building. Buchanan said volunteer-led renovations have reached the point where two commercial tenants, a blacksmith and woodworker, will be moving into the building in early spring.
See GRANGE GRANT » pg. 2
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Whallonsburg Grange Vice President Andy Buchanan, at right, receives a grant award of $10,000 from Cloudsplitter Foundation Director Chenelle Palyswiat last week. The funds will be used for ongoing renovations at Whitcomb’s Garage.
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And the financial support is deeply appreciated, he said, as is the confidence the grant-maker has in the Whitcomb restoration effort. “The Whitcomb’s project builds on the success of the Whallonsburg Grange and is a testament to the deep commitment local volunteers have to revitalizing our small communities,” Buchanan said in accepting the funds. Plans have also been drawn for a retail store, craft /art studios and a community room. “Renovating this structurally sound but long unused historic building gives us an opportunity to create a place where small businesses can grow alongside studios for ceramics, pottery, and other handcrafts. We’re hoping to see community classes, a
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