Lynn Sloneker has an update on the plans to locate an alternative learning program in the former Register-Star building at Warren and Fourth streets on her blog, Unmuffled.
This is a questionable concept at best. Hudson has a dearth of available commercial and retail space. Unlike every other municipality in the county, we actually have a vibrant and growing economic sphere that attracts creative and productive entrepreneurs and artisans, artists and those attracted by the same. The HCSD, on the other hand, has scads of unused space. The entire top floor of the intermediate school is vacant! Our tax levy went up 4% this year -- and they want to rent space?! And increase their administrative costs?! It's almost laughable -- except it's not. At all. Laughable. It's the wrong use of unique land. Students can be taught in schools whether they're on main street or not -- but business can't locate at the schools. Only in the commercial districts. And this idea will effectively reduce the size of the Warren Street central commercial district where there isn't enough room to accommodate all who would locate (and employ) there.
There's also the question of property taxes: by locating this only in Hudson, only those of us lucky enough to own property here will be required to pay for this boondoggle (since it will, of course, be tax-free). Not the other towns in the district and certainly not Catskill or the communities in Massachusetts (Massachusetts -- Berkshire County needs Hudson's help?! we must be doing great!!!) that are benefitting from what amounts to our forced largess.
And the promised outcome? Well, none. At least they're not making empty promises. And, hey, maybe it will work -- maybe the HCSD will graduate 50% of its students someday! That would almost make it worth it.
"According to Common Council President Don Moore, neither he or Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. were informed of the Galvan/Berkshire plan for the altered use of the building."~Lynne Sloneker How can that be? City of Hudson, NYS Fire Safety & Building Codes,as well as ADA regulations,for "Public Assembly"would have to have been approved, since this is a school. They are in process now of doing renovations,so a building permit had to have been issued before commencement of renovation.All drawings and specs,must have been approved by Building Dept, and be on file there.With a building of that age and former use, who checked for presence of lead, asbestos and other contaminates? Wouldn't that have had to been approved by Planning Commission.Is it not a change of use?But since they are already renovating ,GalVan must have been issued a permit and all of that must have been taken care of ,legally.Permit fees paid. So, how could the Mayor and C.C. Pres. Moore know nothing about it? Very odd.
Vincent it's only odd if it actually comes to the proper authority for a vote. I know the Hudson school superintendent is a rookie, but she had to have been guided to a Galvan building somehow. Follow that up with the very mixed up principal situation at the high school (remember she claims to have been to harassed)
Definitely the most important aspect is reinstating the Alternative Learning Program. It shouldn't have been discontinued to begin with. I hope the dialogue surrounding 'location' doesn't halt the process of implementing the ALP program stat.
This is a questionable concept at best. Hudson has a dearth of available commercial and retail space. Unlike every other municipality in the county, we actually have a vibrant and growing economic sphere that attracts creative and productive entrepreneurs and artisans, artists and those attracted by the same. The HCSD, on the other hand, has scads of unused space. The entire top floor of the intermediate school is vacant! Our tax levy went up 4% this year -- and they want to rent space?! And increase their administrative costs?! It's almost laughable -- except it's not. At all. Laughable. It's the wrong use of unique land. Students can be taught in schools whether they're on main street or not -- but business can't locate at the schools. Only in the commercial districts. And this idea will effectively reduce the size of the Warren Street central commercial district where there isn't enough room to accommodate all who would locate (and employ) there.
ReplyDeleteThere's also the question of property taxes: by locating this only in Hudson, only those of us lucky enough to own property here will be required to pay for this boondoggle (since it will, of course, be tax-free). Not the other towns in the district and certainly not Catskill or the communities in Massachusetts (Massachusetts -- Berkshire County needs Hudson's help?! we must be doing great!!!) that are benefitting from what amounts to our forced largess.
And the promised outcome? Well, none. At least they're not making empty promises. And, hey, maybe it will work -- maybe the HCSD will graduate 50% of its students someday! That would almost make it worth it.
The Berkshire Union Free District is in Canaan, in Columbia County. Lynn's blog has a good description of it.
DeleteThanks, Debby -- I've already been corrected on that.
Delete"According to Common Council President Don Moore, neither he or Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. were informed of the Galvan/Berkshire plan for the altered use of the building."~Lynne Sloneker
ReplyDeleteHow can that be? City of Hudson, NYS Fire Safety & Building Codes,as well as ADA regulations,for "Public Assembly"would have to have been approved, since this is a school. They are in process now of doing renovations,so a building permit had to have been issued before commencement of renovation.All drawings and specs,must have been approved by Building Dept, and be on file there.With a building of that age and former use, who checked for presence of lead, asbestos and other contaminates?
Wouldn't that have had to been approved by Planning Commission.Is it not a change of use?But since they are already renovating ,GalVan must have been issued a permit and all of that must have been taken care of ,legally.Permit fees paid.
So, how could the Mayor and C.C. Pres. Moore know nothing about it? Very odd.
The way everything is handled in this town is "very odd."
ReplyDeleteYes, well it is very obvious that our school superintendent is very much a rookie.
ReplyDeleteVincent it's only odd if it actually comes to the proper authority for a vote. I know the Hudson school superintendent is a rookie, but she had to have been guided to a Galvan building somehow. Follow that up with the very mixed up principal situation at the high school (remember she claims to have been to harassed)
ReplyDeleteHow our $135k/year superintendent will spend this years 4% tax hike:
ReplyDelete1. Create a technology heavy alternative school.
2. Outsource teaching staff & curricula development to a private company based in Canaan.
3. Hire a twice suspended HCSD employ to oversee it.
4. Rent premium CBD real estate from a private developer based in NYC.
5. Bus in half the students from across the river.
6. Do it all without having a single conversation with City government.
Definitely the most important aspect is reinstating the Alternative Learning Program. It shouldn't have been discontinued to begin with. I hope the dialogue surrounding 'location' doesn't halt the process of implementing the ALP program stat.
ReplyDeleteControversial subject.
ReplyDeleteMr. Mendolia: care to weigh in with something of substance?