With New York Governor David Paterson poised to make a total of $3.2 billion in state funding cuts, the Sag Harbor School District will likely lose $148,000 in state aid next year. And as a result of this reduced subsidy, the school will probably need to trim expenses for this school year.
The Pierson community recently swirled with information that one such cut was the middle school guidance counselor. At a board of education meeting on Monday, over a dozen teachers and parents lobbied the board to retain not only the position but the current counselor, Carl Brandl. School superintendent Dr. John Gratto assured the public that Brandl’s position is safe for the rest of this year but said he couldn’t make the same guarantee for 2010-2011.
Based on public comments, Brandl has several supporters in the community. One mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she works in the kitchen staff and witnesses first hand how Brandl relates to the students.
“Carl is a man who knows every single one of those kids. He is vital [to the school],” she remarked.
Other parents asserted that a middle school guidance counselor provides necessary emotional support to help students through the difficult years of early adolescence. Brandl advises close to 220 students and has been with the district since 2004.
According to Pierson guidance counselor Eileen Kochanasz, in a meeting last week Dr. Gratto said Brandl’s position could be cut.
“Staffing cuts needed to be examined. We were looking at staffing cuts as one idea. But it has been rejected. Now, we don’t feel that is necessary,” stated Dr. Gratto.
He later added that the school didn’t believe it would be fair to cut staff or programs in the middle of the year. Instead, Dr. Gratto outlined a four-part plan to maintain existing staff despite decreases in state aid.
The first measure mirrors a similar spending freeze enacted last year. The district’s business manager Len Bernard will analyze the remaining budget dollars with a fine tooth comb and is expected to suggest $100,000 worth of cuts. Dr. Gratto added that the cuts will be vetted with administrators. Secondly, the school will disable approximately five to six overhead lights near classroom windows. This idea is expected to save around $10,000. Student Jessica Warne supported this idea, but teacher Nell Lowell suggested the school look into installing an additional light switch for fixtures by the window. On snowy or rainy days, said Lowell, the classroom would need the extra light.
The district is also looking to reduce the heat from 72 to 69 degrees, which would slash expenses by $10,000. Dr. Gratto added that by the end of the school year, Pierson will save around $38,000 by sharing transportation costs with the Springs School District over the summer.
Teacher Jim Kinnier asked if the district will commit to employing Brandl next school year. At the meeting, Dr. Gratto said at this point the board couldn’t make such a statement.
“There is a lot we don’t know about next year. But my preference would be to keep him,” added Dr. Gratto.

Parking

During the meeting, 725 Green chairwoman Gigi Morris urged the board to hold off on the school’s proposed parking project. Morris noted that the local community is financially struggling. She added that several residential neighbors of the school would prefer to have parking on the street instead of having taxpayers bear the cost of the $1 million parking plan. She said an ad hoc group representing several members of the community, from the police to the village, would soon be forming to comprehensively analyze the parking and traffic around the school.
If the bond proposition is passed, Dr. Gratto said the parking project can be deferred to the end of the bond’s design phase. The group would have around six months to compile and present alternatives to the parking plan.
Parent Ken Dorph spoke out against the project, saying by providing free parking the school had “fallen victim to one of the worst mistakes in traffic management.” He added that as a parent he always finds parking within a block of the school.
“To spend a million dollars on parking [in this economy] is wrong and I cannot support this,” said Dorph.

Popularity: 1% [?]

There is never a dull moment in the Sag Harbor School District — and on Monday evening, the phrase was infused with new meaning at the board of education meeting. Dozens of teachers attended wearing their grey shirts, reiterating their dissatisfaction with contract negotiations and a stalemate in the bargaining process, and more than 20 parents and residents turned up to weigh-in on an upcoming parking project and the future of the middle and high school playing fields.
The board intends to spend around $1 million to create 51 additional parking spaces at the elementary school, renovate the Jermain Avenue lot near the Pierson gym and create additional car spots at the high school. During the meeting, the board announced an amendment to the plan. The parking project will no longer include seven spots that buttress Jermain Avenue. Now, there will be grass separating the street from the parking lot.
School board president Walter Wilcoxen further noted that the school isn’t required to increase the parking by any legislation, but would like to create new spaces to satisfy the needs of its staff and to accommodate a few visitors. Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Tom Fabiano was on hand to support the parking project and said the congestion of parking has created safety issues.
But Carol Williams, who lives on Jermain Avenue across from the school was uncomfortable with spending money on parking and didn’t mind Pierson staff parking on the residential streets.
Other residents believe that by providing more parking, the school is encouraging car use over other modes of transportation. In conjunction with the parking project, some feel there should be a commensurate effort to promote biking and walking to school.
“The more people walk and bike, the safer walking and biking will be,” said 725 Green chairwoman Gigi Morris. Sara Gordon with the Peconic Land Trust asked for a plan to reduce car trips for families and staff.
Some parents also brought up the need for adequate sidewalks to the school, which would be the responsibility of the village. Village trustee Tim Culver said the village board was exploring installing sidewalks but such projects remain expensive.
The parking project would be part of a larger facilities bond which will be put up for a vote in December. Considering current interest rates and the decrease in construction prices, Wilcoxen said the school will most likely spend less on the project now than it would in the future.
In addition to discussions over parking, the board is mulling over purchasing a synthetic turf field for the middle and high school. The initial capital investment for synthetic turf is around $990,000 said director of buildings and grounds Montgomery Granger, but requires little maintenance. Over a 10 year period, the costs associated with an organic field or a synthetic one are comparable, he added.
“I hope we do one or the other,” remarked school board member Ed Haye. “I hope we don’t leave it the way it is.”
The current fields, noted Granger, are extremely compacted which can lead to injuries.
As the board meeting was winding down, Teacher Association President Eileen Kochanasz spoke to the stalemate in contract negotiations with the board.
“We have been watching some very organized, well-thought out plans presented and input from the public has been accepted. We just hope for the same treatment for the teachers,” said Kochanasz. “I have one thing left to say. The teachers are ready willing and able to negotiate.”
On Monday, Kochanasz said TASH officially asked for a “crisis” status with the New York State United Teachers union on the state of the negotiations, citing the board’s rejection of the fact finder’s report as a key reason for the move.
As the negotiations continue, several parents at the meeting said they feel the strife is deteriorating morale in the district.
“I feel a sense of loss in the schools and the community I moved into,” noted parent Janice Arbia. “I look at the teachers all dressed in the same shirts and I think there is a frustration in the board’s unwillingness to speak. Dr. Gratto you just got a raise … Then you [the board] are telling the teachers to tighten their belts.”
Wilcoxen said he will meet with Dr. Gratto and two other board members this week to “revisit the concept behind some of [the board's] positions and use it as a way to explore coming back to the table.”
“We spent two hours before [the meeting] started discussing ways to restart the negotiation process,” noted Haye. “Hopefully it will result in more fruitful negotiations.”
To which, Kochanasz replied, “Well that is good news for us and the district.”

Popularity: 2% [?]

After a semester’s worth of meetings on a facility study, the Sag Harbor School District’s long-range planning committee finally brought their suggestions to the board of education on Monday evening.

Their suggestions came from a report completed in February 2007 by BBS Architects and Engineers, P.C., and on Monday the district’s architect was invited to give a presentation to the school board based on the committees decisions.

The presentation included some final recommendations by the long range planning committee totaling nearly $7 million in improvements if all the facility needs are met — and possibly twice that amount if parking and a new auditorium are considered.

Architect Larry Salvesen gave a condensed version of the seven lengthy meetings the committee held dealing with the facility needs of both schools. At those meetings, the planning committee went through a laundry list of items dealing with health and safety that would bring both school buildings up to current standards. The committee labeled potential items for improvement — such as doors, windows and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems — into three different priority groups. The study includes some 400 items in need of repair or upgrading.

To remedy those health and safety issues listed as first priority, it could cost the district $1.3 million. For priorities labeled as one and twos, the cost to the district could be $2.2 million. With all three priority groups considered, the amount comes to $ 7 million. Salvesen explained, however, these figures could be spread out over a longer period of time and over several budget cycles to soften the effect.

Not included in the projected $7 million for maintenance requirements, however, are the major projects — including changes to the auditorium and parking.

The long range planning committee suggested fixing the parking lots of the elementary school and changes to the Jermain Avenue lot at the high school to make both more suitable to the school’s needs.

Salvesen explained that 41 additional spaces are needed at the elementary school in order to have adequate on-site parking for those who work at the school.

Salvesen said one of the elementary school’s parking lots, located on Hampton Street, would cost around $320,000 to upgrade from 26 spaces to 51. The Atlantic Street lot, he explained, would cost $341,000 and add 20 more parking spaces. The cost to upgrade the Jermain Avenue lot at the high school from 36 spaces to 53 spaces would be $375,000. The total price for all these parking lots would be just over $1 million.

Salvesen also summarized committee discussions for a new or renovated auditorium at Pierson. Committee members have narrowed the auditorium options down to three and are now looking to the board of education for suggestions on which plan of action to take.

The least expensive plan, noted Salvesen, would be a $900,000 renovation of the auditorium. Some of the items listed in this suggestion by the architecture firm have already been included in this year’s budget, however – including the replacement of the main curtain for $40,000.

The second plan is a $2 million project that would add about 68 seats on a balcony above the existing auditorium. This option would also renovate the bathrooms in the curved hallway, make improvements to the main entryway, improvements to the stage, among other things.

The third option is a $12 million project which moves the auditorium into the courtyard area and rebuilds the current facility to be used as classrooms. This option would also eliminate the curved hallway for better use of space.

A new curtain and an updated HVAC system for the auditorium have already been added to the proposed budget — that figure is just under $100,000.

The financial analysis portion of the presentation was not discussed, however. School board president Walter Wilcoxen cut the presentation short, since it was closing in on two-and-a-half hours. Salvesen did say the board of education would have the final say on financial impact and putting the idea out to voters.

Long range planning committee members have discussed the impact to taxpayers at prior meetings and have a plan for how some of these expenses can be covered. Next year, there is a $3 million bond expiring — which would allow the district to take out another bond at the same price and, according to superintendent Dr. John Gratto, have no impact to taxpayers. For a new bond of $3 million Gratto explained there would be an additional cost of $50 per year for a homeowner with a house valued at $1 million.

Wilcoxen said he would like to invite the budget advisory committee members to the next long range planning committee meeting to talk about bond issues and to “make it more manageable for us.”

Gratto indicated that once decided, the plan would likely be put out to vote in the fall.

 

Laptops for teachers — not kids

In other news the laptop initiative was also amended at Monday’s meeting.

Just a few weeks ago, the school district announced it was considering a leasing model for laptops for high school students. The laptops were also to be issued to fifth and sixth graders to use in the classroom — but not to be taken home.

Gratto announced on Monday that after a visit with some of his colleagues at Westhampton Beach High School, where there is a similar program in place, the Sag Harbor administrators decided not to implement the plan it introduced in January.

Gratto cited the fact some teachers were not adequately using the laptops in the classrooms in Westhampton Beach and said this is a reason to reconsider the initial idea. Gratto said instead, 60 computers will be allocated to teachers in the elementary and high school on a lease agreement to familiarize teachers with how the computers can be best used in the classroom. Then, at a later date, the laptop program for students would be considered.

 

 

Popularity: 10% [?]

After two-and-a-half years of zoning planning, code drafting, public forums and numerous revisions, the proposed village zoning code might be enacted as early as April. A public hearing on the new code held on Friday, February 13, yielded less public comment than in previous sessions. The discussion during the hearing was mainly devoted to the revisions which have been made to the code. An amended version of the code will be published in the near future.

The key revisions made to the code include second floor uses, the purview of the Historical Preservation and Architectural Review Board, the timeline for filing a Certificate of Occupancy and day care center and bed and breakfast notification. With the revisions, second floor spaces in the village business district are allowed to be used for retail, office or residential purposes. A confusing piece of language concerning the ARB’s jurisdiction was rewritten, and now clearly states that the ARB does not have jurisdiction over the uses of a retail space. Under the proposed zoning code, a new owner has thirty days to attain a Certificate of Occupancy. In addition, those interested in creating a bed and breakfast or day care center will need to notify their neighbors within a 500-foot radius, instead of only 200 feet.

 

Sag Harbor Planning Consultant Richard Warren presented two flow charts detailing the process for expansion and change of uses for retail spaces in the village business district. One flow chart showed the process for spaces 3,000 square feet and under, while the other chart detailed the process for spaces above 3,000 square feet. Warren added that special exception uses, which have received a measure of scrutiny from the public, are still permitted uses but simply have to meet a more stringent set of criteria, since they often involve more intensive uses. Warren gave the example of a shoe store changing into a restaurant, which is a special exeception use and requires more parking and sewage usage.

Members of the community still raised concerns over the ARB’s ability to govern interior designs which are visible from the street.

“This seems to restrain certain freedoms, [especially] the freedom of expression,” said Susan Sprott.

However, this provision predates the new zoning code and was enacted in 1994, said Sag Harbor Village Attorney Anthony Tohill. Members of the board added that the purview of the ARB doesn’t extend to merchandise in the retail space.

Overall, members of the board seemed satisfied with the revisions made to the code.

“I do think it went fairly well,” said Trustee Tiffany Scarlato of the hearing on Friday. “I think we are pretty much at the end of the line. I am pretty happy with the end result. Everyone didn’t get exactly what they wanted, but there was certainly a compromise.”

Throughout the discussions over the new zoning code, the issue of parking has come up again and again. According to mayor Greg Ferraris, the new zoning code was intended to handle zoning issues within the village, and not to ameliorate some of the village’s infrastructure problems, including parking.

Parking has been a highly debated issue within the village, well before the new village zoning code was proposed. During the summer season, village parking is often scarce and can lead to traffic congestion. At a recent public hearing on the new zoning code held on January 29, Alan Fruitstone, the owner of Harbor Pets, said many of his customers refer to Sag Harbor as a ‘drive through village’ in the summer months, due to parking and traffic problems. He implored the village to incorporate parking solutions into the new code.

The proposed village zoning code, however, does amend the village’s solution to traffic problems, by eliminating the parking trust fund. Culver commended the village for this move.

“I think eliminating the parking trust fund is a step in the right direction,” said Culver, during a later interview. “It created an unnecessary tension between business owners and the village.”

Culver also contended that parking is an issue which should be addressed in the coming years. He believes it is an opportune time for the village to create parking solutions.

“Now we have a group of folks who are focused on planning issues. Maybe we could now think of the future of the village in a visionary way and generate a discussion [on parking]” added Culver.

During the hearing on Friday, Ted Conklin, proprietor of the American Hotel, articulated these sentiments. Conklin hopes the village will also look into village infrastructure issues, including parking and sewage. “We need to commit ourselves to a visionary plan for the whole of Sag Harbor … Something that generations from now will be proud of,” said Conklin.

The next public hearing on the proposed zoning code will be held on March 19. If no revisions need to be made to the code after this hearing, the board will have to wait at least ten days to enact the new zoning code.

 

Above: Ted Conklin, owner of the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, calls for a “visionary plan” for the village. 

 

See video excerpts from the hearing at www.sagharboronline.com

 

Popularity: 33% [?]

Sag Harbor school district taxpayers may be looking at spending over $16 million to tackle a number of items in and around the district’s buildings, based on recommendations settled on this week.

As the district’s Long Range Planning Committee met for the last time on Thursday evening, members were finally able to reach consensus on a variety of items, including health and safety issues, storage, maintenance concerns and other upgrades to both the elementary and high schools. The committee members also looked at other big ticket items like changes to the parking lots and a new or improved auditorium.

The committee, which will now bring those recommendations to the board of education, is made up of members of the community, faculty, school board, and the district’s superintendent, and was charged with establishing project priorities. The study was conducted by the district’s architect, Larry Salvesen and his firm BBS Architects and Engineer, P.C.

“I don’t think we should have fear to present this to the community,” said committee member Peter Solow, a Pierson teacher. “It is not a need, but a want. And let the community decide if this is something they want to invest in.”

On Thursday, the committee, which has been meeting monthly since September, agreed that revamping parking at both schools was indeed necessary and the committee will be suggesting the board of education okay $1.3 million for improvements to three lots on Jermain Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and Hampton Street. The Jermain Avenue lot would be redesigned to create an additional 17 spaces, at a cost of $375,000. The lot at Atlantic Avenue would add another 26 spaces and would cost $340,000. The lot at Hampton Street would cost $320,000 and add an additional 25 spaces.

Members of the committee also agreed the district should spend $3 million on a list of maintenance items marked as top priorities for both the elementary and high schools. The items include replacing door hardware, guard rails at the elementary school’s main entrance, and heating and ventilation equipment — things that need to be on par with current health and safety requirements. However, Salvesen is working on Energy Performance Contracts for certain projects included in the maintenance portion, which may be taken out of the total.

For example, he said the boiler that the district is now considering purchasing, which costs $300,000, could be paid for by an Energy Performance Contract (EPC), in which the district will have the ability to pay back this outlay with money saved from conserving energy if the projects can pay for themselves within 18 years.

Perhaps the biggest ticket would be for a rehab of the aging auditorium at Pierson. Members of the committee, however, could not agree on the creation of a new auditorium or improvements to the current one, even after the district’s architect came back with three different plans.

One of those plans — a complete redesign of the facility using the courtyard — came with a $12 million price tag, while the lowest alternative, which would be an upgrade of the auditorium, was $1 million. Members of the committee suggested that perhaps some improvements can be made to the auditorium for less than the $1 million plan — items that would alleviate some of the problems including heating and ventilation and the ripped curtains.

Most likely, said Salvesen, the district would only ask for an additional $60,000 from taxpayers for buildings and grounds use in this May’s school budget. This money could be used for improvements in the auditorium.

At Monday’s board of education meeting, building and grounds supervisor/athletic director Bill Madsen told the board it would cost $45,000 to replace the curtains and rigging in the auditorium, which members agreed was a health and safety issue.

In order to finance the other projects the committee is recommending, Superintendent John Gratto suggested committee members ask the board of education to add a proposition onto the John Jermain Library vote, which will take place in September 2009.

Gratto suggested that the district could present four different proposals for the auditorium on the ballot and let voters decide.

Although district business manager Len Bernard did not attend the meeting, he sent a memo suggesting ways that the district may be able to fund the projects.

“Based on current town assessments and anticipated non-tax revenues, $300,000 of new debt service [which is the cost to fund $3 million in borrowing per year over 15 years], would cost the owner of a $1 million market value house approximately $53 per year in additional school property tax right now,” Bernard said in the memo, adding that this would be for both Southampton and East Hampton residents.

“It’s the cost of a cup of coffee [per week during one year’s time],” Gratto said.

Bernard, also explained in his memo that there is a $3 million bond being paid off in the 2009-2010 school year, and suggests that the district could borrow another $3 million in 2009-2010 with “no real impact on tax bills.”

Bernard also said that there is a bond from 1997 improvements, which will be paid off by 2009-2010.

Bernard explained that $3 million can be paid for with the money from the 1997 bond, and a new $3.3 million bond for 2009-2010 would only cost taxpayers an additional $53 per year. This would equal $6.3 million, which would be used for the big ticket items like parking and improvements to the auditorium, and $300,000 for the remainder of the maintenance projects.

In previous meetings, the committee members focused on ways to fund the projects, but at last week’s meeting, Gratto quickly reminded committee members that they were not responsible for finding ways to pay for the projects, but simply to make suggestions to the board of education. 

“I think we need to prioritize, but it is up to the board to say what is palatable,” Gratto said.

 “If we educate them, [the board of education and the public] they will be convinced by all the facts,” said Gratto.

Illustration above shows proposed parking lot configurations, including 25 new stalls in front of Sag Harbor Elementary School; 26 new stalls at the rear of the elementary school; and 17 new stalls at the front left of Pierson Middle/High School. Parking at lots on Montauk Avenue and on the Division Street side of Pierson would remain unchanged.

 

Popularity: 20% [?]

The “Facilities Study” of both Sag Harbor Elementary School and Pierson Middle/High School in the Sag Harbor school district is a compilation of different tasks that need to be completed at the schools in order to comply with current codes and standards. At their most recent monthly meeting, however, the district’s Long Range Planning Committee focused more on big-ticket items such as a new auditorium and parking.
If combined, those two projects alone could cost the district as much as $12.7 million — but that is if they include all the bells and whistles. Although the beginning of last Thursday’s meeting focused on parking, the majority of the time was spent discussing the new auditorium. The conversations on Thursday mirrored those of earlier meetings. This time, district architect Larry Salvesen prepared three plans for a new auditorium as requested by committee members during their October meeting.
The three different plans for the auditorium included a basic plan, an improved plan and then the complete plan — costing $900,000, $2 million, and $12 million, respectively. Salvesen explained that the most expensive plan would include the creation of a separate space in the courtyard area, adjacent to where the current auditorium is.
“The art [department] is looking for space,” Salvesen said, “If you added art where the current auditorium is, then the entire center of the building becomes the arts.”
During Thursday’s meeting, some committee members shared their personal feelings from music concerts and plays they have attended in recent weeks. Members of the committee, which is made up of teachers, administrators, parents and other community members, expressed frustration about the lack of air conditioning, ventilation, torn curtains and other issues in the current facility.
Pierson High School Principal Jeff Nichols said that because of the inadequacies of the facility, he schedules “moving up” ceremonies and other similar assemblies in the middle school gymnasium.
Further, members of the committee talked about the vinyl tile that makes up the floor, the risers and issues with the stage itself.
“Why are we are looking at the little details?” committee member and former chemistry and physics teacher Richard Gold asked. “It is such a big project that has such a big impact and I wonder if we should be talking about the dismal feeling of the facility or are we trying to create a place that will give excitement to the facility and the community — and bring possible income to the school?”
“It’s a weird time to say that the energy that can be created by pride and enthusiasm is something that can’t be seen in dollars and cents,” said Gold who also noted that he attended a play the week prior, and there was a contrast as to what was going on on-stage and the actual room it was taking place in.
“It was painful to me,” he said. “This is the center of the school and it’s a shame. It’s a question of motivation and not just economies.”
But others at the meeting had different concerns, and requested more information about the current use of the facility.
One committee member asked how many school-related performances happen in the auditorium, and noted that it seemed like a lot of money to spend on a facility that hosted three performances a year.
Nichols disagreed with that number, saying he hadn’t yet finished tallying up all the performances scheduled for the year, but added that it was more like 20 in a school year.
“Right now the situation is oppressive,” said Nichols. “You can’t enjoy it.”
Pierson art teacher Peter Solow added that the number of performances is misleading.
“You are talking just about the performances, but not utilization,” Solow said. “Right now there is no facility to be used for rehearsal, there is no space for sets and there is no other place for them to go. They are rehearsing in the auditorium, and there are a number of other uses for this space.”
Solow explained that the new space can be used for awards ceremonies and other events, which have been moved due to the failing HVAC system.
“Some of the performances had to be moved. It was too hot, we had to change it. People have fainted in there while watching performances,” Solow said.
The three different alternatives for the auditorium include both minor and major changes.
“Scheme A is small improvements,” Salvesen explained. “Scheme B has everything in A and a little more.”
Plan “C” is a proposal that puts the new auditorium in the court yard and could potentially create more space for additional classrooms and storage.
The arguments bounced back and forth on what a reasonable solution to the pending issue of building a new auditorium should be.
“No one is arguing that the space doesn’t work,” president of the school board Walter Wilcoxen said addressing Solow’s concerns.
“You could say generally it doesn’t work, but we should say that it is fundamentally inadequate if you don’t build storage,” Solow argued.
Questions also raised by members of the committee focused on the idea that the new space may be able to generate income for the school if it is rented out.
“The motivation should not be to make money off of this,” Solow said.
Wilcoxen told members of the committee that the “C” plan may be more of a long term goal.
“It may not be realistic, right now, but start thinking about it as a possibility,” he said.
But Nichols informed the members, “There is another issue, there is an immediacy.”
Parking
The other large project occupying the Long-Range Planning Committee is the issue of parking at both the elementary school and Pierson.
The committee members decided at a previous meeting that the lots at Jermain Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and Hampton Street should be reconfigured to allow for more spaces. At their last meeting, committee members asked Salvesen to create a new plan, this time allowing for even more spaces along Atlantic Avenue by moving the asphalt court closer to Clinton Street and utilizing empty, unused lawn area for an extension of the court additionally providing an extension of the parking lot.
At last week’s meeting, Salvesen showed his plans to move the court and extend the parking lot along with the price tag for each of the three proposed lots. For the lot on Atlantic Avenue it would add an additional 26 spaces and cost the district $340,000. The reconfigured lot off of Jermain Avenue has a $375,000 price tag and would add an additional 17 spaces. And the lot on Hampton Street would cost $320,000 and add 25 spaces — but none of these estimates included contingencies and fees, according to Salvesen.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Cleaning a Beach

 

Dear Editor:

We are eighth grade students at Pierson Middle School. We are writing this letter out of concern for our beaches, specifically Haven’s Beach. Recently we took a field trip to the beach with our local bay keeper, Kevin McAlister. He helped us understand how our ecosystem works, and how marshes are the “kidneys of the bay.” Marshes filter the water for bacteria, waste and other hazardous material. Without them our swimming beach will be filled with toxins.

Unfortunately we have learned that Havens Beach, a very popular swimming site is the dumping ground for toxic runoff. If no actions are taken immediately, these toxins can harm your body and the bodies of future generations. We are the concerned youth of Sag Harbor who enjoy swimming, fishing, sailing, jet skiing and wake boarding in our local waters. Our hope is that Havens Beach will be there for our kids to enjoy someday.

Furthermore, we learned the village had the chance to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money to restore the marsh, but they didn’t take action. It seems that the people who don’t support the project are turning a blind eye to this serious situation. Evidently local homeowners are afraid of the changes that the new marsh would bring and have fought against it. Yet the marsh would not only filter the bad bacteria that washes into the bay, but it would create an estuary for birds and fish. We feel the community is afraid to undergo alterations, but in order to save the beach, it is necessary.

Please help us in this matter by supporting future products that would help the filtration system at Havens Beach. Hopefully this letter will sp[ark the interests of others concerned with Havens Beach.

Raleigh Gordley, Chris Abt, Angela Piro, Gabe Garro and Emily Shafonda (teacher)

Sag Harbor Middle School

 

An Eye on Restoration

 

Dear Bryan,

Thank you for such complete coverage of “Fixing House’s Eyes” in the October 30th Express.

Howard Kanovitz’s Suffolk Street property is one of the few large houses in Sag Harbor which is still in use as a multi-family dwelling, offering year-round rentals to local people.  Since he purchased it six years ago, as tenants have moved out, he has completely up-graded each apartment.  At considerable expense, he created new, organized parking spaces on narrow Concord Street.  He has been restoring the historic building’s exterior as well—case in point the porch with custom made column mentioned in the article.

It was as part of that program that he petitioned the ARB to replace the deteriorating windows with double pane, energy conserving Andersen windows he selected, after considerable research, which exactly replicate the originals stylistically.  He was rejected and told that he should consider restoring the crumbling, narrow muttons individually.  Most other similar residences in Sag Harbor have evicted tenants and have been converted to single family (part-time resident) Trophy Houses! Perhaps individually piecing together original building fabric is a possibility in such cases.

I have been involved with historic preservation all my life, but other civic issues should be taken into consideration by responsible boards of review, such as maintaining a diverse community offering a range of housing possibilities, and all important energy conservation.  Kanovitz’s proposals should have been supported. He shouldn’t be asked to pay through the nose to maintain the house’s eyes.

A Sag Harbor lover,

Carolyn Oldenbusch (Kanovitz)

Sag Harbor

 

 

Time for a Parking Garage

 

Dear Editor:

With the summer people having summered and gone, taking the buzz with them; followed by Halloween celebration and the blocking of streets without prior notice — to the great inconvenience of residents hopelessly searching for non-existent vacant parking spots; it is time, again, to raise the issue of a Sag Harbor Village parking garage that the Sag Harbor Village Board refuses to consider. For no apparently good reason.

The building under construction at the inter section of Bay and Burke streets is exactly the type required for a parking garage on one of the existing village-owned parking lots. This should ease the parking problems for both residents and visitors from near (surrounding areas) and far. The 2-hour parking limit would continue to apply, with tickets (or fees for the garage) for overtime parking.

One wonders what it takes to get the attention of the village board for such an eminently sensible and revenue-earning project. With the summer season over and prevailing low interest rates, now is a good time to borrow money for the project, putting unemployed labor to work and giving a little kick to the sagging local and national economy.

Yours sincerely,

David Carney

Sag Harbor

 

Community on the Air

 

To the Editor:

As a WPKM programmer and volunteer I read with interest your story “New Radio Station To Hit Airwaves in ‘09″ (Express, October 30). 

I’d like to point out that the new station you write about will not be the only ‘community radio’ station on the east end but will actually be the third station to originate programs from here. 

Specifically, WPKM at 88.7 FM with transmitter in Montauk has been broadcasting since 2005. Although the bulk of its unique programming originates at WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, Conn., its volunteer staff includes several programmers from Long Island and two regular programs are produced on the east end. 

These monthly local programs include  “East End Ink” with readings recorded in Sag Harbor at Canio’s Books and other nearby venues and an interview and essay program “Tidings From Hazel Kahan” which is recorded in Mattituck and edited in Southampton.

With a local broadcast studio being established by WPKN in East Hampton, the number of locally originated programs will increase as will unique news, viewpoints and music not heard elsewhere on the air.

This is because WPKN and WPKM are entirely listener-funded and do not accept advertising or grants, giving their programmers complete programming freedom,

As a WPKN/WPKM volunteer, I invite our neighbors to tell us about your programming ideas and to participate as volunteers. Please call 631-259-2482 to talk about this some more.

Anthony Ernst

Southampton

 

YARD’s Party

 

Dear Bryan,

Thank you for your recent article by Annette Hinkle about Youth Advocacy and Resource Development (better known as the YARD Program). For 10 years, the young people of Sag Harbor have enjoyed summer evenings at Long Beach, high school sailing in the spring and fall, the after school Community Room program during the academic year, bus trips during school vacations, Saturday Night Rec., leadership and enrichment  because of the YARD Program. Although a large portion of the funding comes from surrounding municipalities, the county and state, we still must privately fund raise to meet our annual budget.

I would like to thank the parents, teachers, administrators, staff, custodians and the community members who recently attended YARD’s Third Silent Auction. We were treated to a fabulous evening of fun, fine food, intesting auction items and prizes. This event, hosted by the YARD Board of Directors for the children, would not have been possible without the generous contribution of food, products, music and services from the community. The Directors would like to thank the following businesses for their generous contributions: Cove Deli, Provisions, New Paradise Restaurant, Sen Spice, Il Cappucino, Conca D’oro, Sen, Spinakers, Espresso’s East Hampton Golf Club, Agave, Cromer’s Market, Golden Pear, Schiavoni’s Market and Cappeletti’s.

We would also like to extend our thanks to a number of kind individuals, Richard Udice who transformed B.Smith’s for the evening, Sandi and Kevin Kruel, Marion Cassata and Robert Schneider, Brad Beyer, Robin Piro, and Rich Moran who gave so generously of their time. We greatly appreciate your support.

The YARD Board would like to thank in particular, Barbara Smith and Dan Gasby for their hospitality and use of their wonderful facility. What a magnificent waterfront location for our special event. And finally, a big thanks to the Sag Harbor community members who so generously donated goods and services that enabled us to meet our annual fund raising goals which, in turn, will go directly back to the kids.

On Behalf of the YARD Board of Directors,

Barbara Schmitz,

Board President

 

Popularity: 15% [?]

Although administrators are looking for ways to save money for the Sag Harbor school district, the newly formed long range planning committee is still meeting regularly to talk about major changes to both the high school and elementary school. This week’s topics were storage, spatial issues and parking.
The meetings take place in the library at the high school, where anyone from the community is invited to attend. The purpose of the meetings is for members to go through a facility study —completed in February 2007, which was revised in September of this year — to develop a long-range plan for both the high school and elementary school. The topics in the study can be as small as ventilation issues or as complex as a new auditorium.
At last Thursday’s meeting, the district’s architect, Larry Salvesen, said that the parking at the elementary school desperately needs to be upgraded, because there aren’t even enough spaces for the faculty. Salvesen said that there are currently 54 spaces available for parking on school grounds but there are 95 faculty members. At present faculty members are parking along Ackerly Street and other small streets near the school, which school board president Walter Wilcoxen said is a major issue.
“The village has complained that there is no containment of parking on the property of the schools,” he noted.
At one of their earlier meetings, Salvesen said that changes could be made to the lots along Clinton Street and at the bottom of Pierson hill, along Jermain Avenue. In the past, the community has expressed concern over creating parking there and on Thursday the committee took these two options off the list. The proposal for a reconfigured front parking lot at the elementary school was discussed, and it was decided that the lot should be re-designed to allow for more spaces. Salvesen said that the changes to the front parking lot at the elementary school would cost just over $350,000.
Also at the elementary school, Salvesen referred to the Atlantic Avenue parking lot as a “fender bender in the making.” He proposed extending the lot approximately 30 feet and a little into the asphalt basketball courts at the back of the elementary school. The proposed changes to the Atlantic Avenue lot, according to Salvesen, could cost the district $160,000 but committee members made no decisions on that lot last week.
At the high school, the proposed changes would include some work to the parking lot along Jermain Avenue. This lot has caused problems for the teachers recently, according to building/grounds athletic director, Bill Madsen. Madsen believes that this too should be top priority.
“We have teachers and administrators parking illegally,” Madsen said, “we have them parked on the grass, too, because there is no where for them to go.”
Wilcoxen and fellow board member Mary Ann Miller both said they believe it would cost the district less money if the board of education could apply for approval of all the parking projects at one time. The proposal for a reconfiguration for the lots on Jermain Avenue would add 17 more spaces for $375,000.
Members of the committee asked why there was such a big price tag attached to the parking projects, and Salvsen responded that it is not just a matter of re-striping, but there are drainage issues and sealing and realigning that become costly.
Wilcoxen suggested that at the next meeting, the committee could continue their conversation of parking and invite police chief Tom Fabiano to attend and give the group his input. Salvesen said that the only restrictions for parking in the village, seem to be those directly surrounding the schools.
In addition to parking, Thursday night’s agenda also included storage and spatial issues at both schools. Elementary school principal Joan Frisicano said that currently there are two portable storage sheds, which are located at the back of the elementary school. One is waiting to be sent back, because it is broken, and the other is either filled with chairs or tables. Frisicano said that there is not enough room in the storage container for both the chairs and tables at the same time. She also said that the school has to reduce the ordering of some items because there is nowhere to store the items.
“We have to split the art order and order different things a few times per year because we don’t have anywhere to store them,” Frisicano said.
Salvesen presented a proposal for a two-story addition to the right side of the elementary school that he said would possibly solve the storage problem and may help create additional classrooms. This project could cost the district $4.8 million, according to Salvesen.
At the high school, Salvesen said there were items being stored in the corridor downstairs in the woodshop and cafeteria area — when he first completed the facility study. Those items have since been moved.
“I don’t know where these things disappeared to, but they all seem to have a home now,” he said. He added there are still storage needs at the high school.
Madsen proposed that the committee do the same thing as they did with plans for a new auditorium.
“We could have one plan, the Taj Mahal, and then less expensive plans – A,B,C – that can be looked at,” he offered.
The next long range planning committee meeting will be held in the Pierson High School library on November 13.

Popularity: 11% [?]