MCS to sell land to town

1/7/2015

By David Avitabile
The sale of land owned by the school to the town for a proposed new ambulance squad building could be advantageous to both parties, according to a town official.
The town is in the process of getting about $2.2 million from New York Rising for a new ambulance barn and community center/ 100-bed shelter near the town highway garage on Cotton Hill Road.
Town officials are interested in possibly purchasing 3.2-acres from the school for the project. The land would be used for additional parking and another access road off of Cotton Hill Road. The cost of the land would be paid for by New York Rising.
Town Highway Superintendent Dale Nunamann told board members last Monday that he looked over the site in question and the town could make a deal with the school if the land is purchased.
An access road could be built from the land to the school bus garage across the small creek. A culvert would have to be placed across the creekbed.
The access road would benefit both the school and the town, he added.
The new road, he noted, would give ambulance an access onto Main Street, if needed. The entrance to the new facility would be off of Cotton Hill Road. In addition, the school could use the access to enter Cotton Hill Road, if needed.
Mr. Nunamann said that because of emergencies on Cotton Hill Road or Main Street, he has had to reroute traffic through the cemetery.
"I've seen times you can't get up Cotton Hill Road."
Supervisor Jim Buzon, who is supposed to meet with the school board about the possible purchase later this month, noted that a culvert across that stream could create an obstruction in the creek.
The area in question is across the small creek from the bus garage. It is currently part of the ropes course that was used for several years, but is no longer maintained.
An appraisal would have to be done, which would also be paid for by NY Rising, before any sale can be made.
The sale may have to go to a public referendum before it can be approved.