Informational open houses planned; district to vote Jan. 6
(Cazenovia, NY – Nov. 26, 2013) On Jan. 6, the Cazenovia Central School District will ask residents to approve a $7.4 million proposal to repair and upgrade existing infrastructure in all three school buildings.
These renovations will include roof and window replacement, repairs to existing electrical, fire/security and heating systems and the installation of new carpeting, clocks, exterior doors and pavement.
These deficiencies were indentified during Cazenovia’s regular “building condition survey,” which is conducted every five years and forms the basis of the district’s long-range facilities plan.
“While our buildings and grounds personnel do an excellent job of maintaining and repairing our facilities and their infrastructure, building systems still reach the end of their useful lives,” said Assistant Superintendent Bill Furlong.
Among the items targeted for replacement, for example, are water boilers that have heated the high school since 1978.
The bulk of the proposed building project would entail the renovation or replacement of similar behind-the-scenes systems (i.e., air handling, heating, lighting, windows, doors, brick repainting, water mains, etc.) Most of the work would be completed during summer months to minimize classroom interruptions.
Although the total estimated cost is $7.4 million, the district anticipates 69 percent of the project cost will be paid for by New York state building aid. The balance would be funded by a municipal bond issue to be repaid over 15 years, beginning in 2016-17. Because an existing bond issue will be paid off in 2015-16, administrators expect the renovation project to create no tax levy increase for residents.
“For example, you have a monthly car payment of $250 per month,” Furlong explained. “When that debt is finally paid off, you buy a new car with payments of $250 per month. The new monthly payment is simply taking the place of the original car payment.”
On Nov. 18, the Board of Education approved putting the plan before district residents, who be invited to vote on it between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 6 in the auxiliary gymnasium in the Emory Avenue complex.
“This work is necessary to address building infrastructure that has outlived its useful life, to generate energy savings for the district, and to eliminate health and safety concerns,” said board President Patrick Vogl.
The district also will hold two informational open houses to answers questions about the need for and scope of the project:
*7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Emory Avenue complex.
* 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Burton Street Elementary School.
There also will be a public hearing about the project at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 in the high school auditorium.