Town of Tusten

Posted 10/8/11

MARGARET HARRISON - Running for Town Supervisor (D/C)

Having participated in the community group that dealt with this issue for a year, I have an appreciation of the attachment to this …

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Town of Tusten

Posted

MARGARET HARRISON - Running for Town Supervisor (D/C)

Having participated in the community group that dealt with this issue for a year, I have an appreciation of the attachment to this building. Although a hotel is the most favorable use for this building in the view of the committee and those individuals wanting additional guest facilities in the town and county, it just doesn't seem feasible in this banking environment. Senior housing is also in great need in this area, and would be welcomed. But again, in this financial environment there is a lack of investors to take on projects of this nature. I believe the taxpayers of this community paid for this building once; they should not have to pay for it twice. The school board, if unsuccessful with the sale to Kang, should give the property back to the town.

CAROL ROPKE WINGERT - Running for Town Supervisor (D/I/Rural Heritage)

Development at the old school property has already been determined by the comprehensive plan through extensive community input. Personally, I had hoped to see it open once again as the Narrowsburg campus for Sullivan West; however, declining enrollment and dwindling finances as reported by the school board have decided another fate for our once thriving school building.

There have been many instances of small colleges opening off-site annexes such as the ones in Wallenpaupack and Milford, PA. There are certainly many business opportunities listed in the comprehensive plan that would complement the town and suit the needs of the community, as well as boost the local economy.

If the Kang deal falls through, a small committee could be formed to approach colleges, art/culinary schools and businesses to harvest any possible interests and perhaps the idea of a business incubator, which is intended to accelerate entrepreneurial companies through various business support and resources.

ANDREA REYNOSA - Running for Town Council (Rural Heritage)

I believe the old Narrowsburg School Building has a very special place within the community’s history and will be of maximum service to the town and outside interests if it is developed with a mixed-use model.

Much needed youth and senior facilities could easily be provided in the renovated school rooms, the gymnasium could provide year round recreational and public space for events such as EagleFest, indoor sports events, farmers market, residency programs, and speaking forums. The kitchen could be rented out and retrofitted for the development of value-added products or a small batch creamery.

I’ve heard many say that they would like to see short-term rental apartments or efficiency apartments on the upper floors. If the Kang deal falls through, I would recommend building upon these ideas, reaching out to prospective private investors and institutions whose professional interests coincide with the Upper Delaware River region. Groups like Columbia University’s Earth Institute, the Open Space Institute, Cooper Union’s Department of Sustainable Design, National Resources Defense Council and the National Park Service are a few examples of institutions, that are already professionally or academically invested up here, and could lease office space, conduct seminars and put up guests as part of a multi-functional space, placing Narrowsburg as a centralized educational, innovation hub while promoting the expansion of small businesses and revenue within the township.

TONY RITTER - Running for Town Council (R/C)

As early as 2007, the Tusten Comprehensive Plan Committee considered the Narrowsburg School property zone district fronting Erie Street and School Street, since that building had been and was zoned General Residential (GR). Readers, however, should be aware that the school property belongs to the Sullivan West School District, which is comprised of the Sullivan West School Board and its taxpayers.

Due to miscalculations on the part of the then-Sullivan West School Board, which was merged from three school districts in 1999, roughly five million dollars of taxpayers money was spent for capital renovations to the Narrowsburg School Building in 2002, seeking to establish an elementary school for the then newly merged Sullivan West School District.

By 2005, it became apparent that, due to declining enrollment in the district and other economic factors the board had hoped for but never materialized (i.e.; state aid, casino employees and their families), the school district could not afford to run the Narrowsburg School as an elementary school – or any school for that matter.

The Sullivan West School Board contracted Dewan and Schott to appraise the Narrowsburg campus in 2009. It did not begin to market the Narrowsburg school property to the public until late 2009 / 2010. The final appraisal was: $700,000 for the Narrowsburg School property fronting Erie and School Streets and $140,000 for the vacant land fronting Kirk Road.

From its closing in 2006 through 2010, to my knowledge, the Sullivan West School District had no concrete plans for the Narrowsburg property but to keep it mothballed. The building became vacant in 2006 and the taxpayers of the district have continued to pay for the costs to have the building heated and maintained.

The time for the school district to have marketed and conceptualized alternative uses for this school was during the economic expansion that the United States realized from 2003 through 2007 while the school was vacant and featured new capital improvements. The school district, however, did nothing for five years until they began marketing the property after the credit crisis and the country was in recession in 2009. As I mentioned previously, it is the school district that is the owner of this property, and not the town, even though the property is located right in the middle of the hamlet.

In late 2009, citizens from Tusten, comprised of town officials and concerned individuals, met for a period of four months to discuss what the highest and best use for the school district’s properties might be. Some ideas we came up with were: 1. Small Business Incubator, 2. Hotel/Resort Complex, 3. School, 4. Senior Citizen Housing and 5. NPS / Governmental Office Space. We reported our findings back to the school district, but nothing was binding since the properties belong to the district.

That said, I would hope that any developer who might purchase the Narrowsburg School property from the Sullivan West District will follow the intentions of Tusten’s Comprehensive Plan while working together with town officials to make their enterprise successful as well as complementing the existing attributes of Narrowsburg.

J.P. LANG - Running for Town Council (D)

No response received from candidate

NED LANG - Running for Town Council (R)

I am very concerned about the status of the school. It has the possibility of either being the catalyst of growth for our community or the bane of our community. Initially, I would suggest that we have a liaison meet with the Sullivan West school board on a monthly basis, and invite our next county legislator to also become invloved during these meetings.

We don't want any surprises, and this would also impress upon them how seriously their decisions concerning this property will impact this town. I would also ask that the school board include this Tusten liaison regarding any further discussions or decisions concerning its future or potential buyers.

I would also like to speak with Mr. Kang regarding his intentions for the school and associated properties. I really don't know anything about him; however, I understand that he has some innovative plans for the property if he can make it happen.

NORMAN MEYER - Running for Town Council (D/C)

The Kang deal has already fallen through. Anyone that doesn't realize it is trying to hold on to a fantasy. I would encourage a satellite facility, perhaps from Sullivan County Community College, for the benefit of the western part of the county.

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