Here is a summary of the public comments about the proposed demolition of the Old Balmville School building.

A letter written by David E. Church, AICP, Planning Commissioner for Orange County was read. It recommended tabling the proposal for 30 to 60 days in order to allow time for planning and consideration of options.

Rick Milton introduced himself as a parent of a Balmville student. He had been active in the PTA, Compact Committee, and other Board committees and wanted for some time to do something good for the Old Balmville School building. He explained that his company has renovated buildings in worse condition and that he believed the building could be renovated safely, economically, and quickly. He read a letter he sent to Superintendent Saturnelli dated October 8, in which he proposed to purchase the property, renovate it to meet the needs of the District, and then lease the property to the District with an option to buy. He said that three members of the Board of Education had taken to the time to visit a building he recently renovated at 36-38 Chambers Street.

Carla Smith Decker, a former teacher at Balmville School, and current president of the Newburgh Historical Society read a letter urging that preservation be given serious consideration. She said preservation is not inexpensive, but preserving historic buildings is part of a "green ethos" and demonstrates a respect for history that we should be teaching to our children.

Next a letter written by Richard Severa (sp?) was read. It also made the point that the Board of Education had responsibility to present a positive role model. He wrote that it was hard to understand the quick rush to accomplish such and expensive demolition, and he added an historical footnote, that Andy Delano Hitch had financed the construction of the building. He made the astute point that the children will notice if the Board acts to preserve the good and the historic and the children will notice if the Boards acts to demolish the good and historic and replace it with a parking lot.

Next Vince Docey spoke. He provided additional historic notes, mentioning the Heart and Hand Building and the Old Aragon Tavern, where he once tended bar. Mr. Docey works for an engineering firm, and on hearing of the planned demolition, was surprised that the building could be at such a stage of neglect as to require urgent demolition. When asked for the study which explained the health and safety issues, Docey was provided with a letter consisting of three sentences from an enginering firm (Isenbach and ?), to Andrew Velez. The letter said, "Dear Andy, The building known as Old Balmville school ... is in poor physical condition. It is unsafe to walk on the roof and ... asbestos ... Based on my inspection and evaluation of the physical condition of the building it is condemned." Mr. Docey said that to remove a building based on such a letter would be imprudent.

Four other people spoke. Most of them were former students in the building. One was stunned that there was no discussion or community input on this issue, and pointed out that there were very few public buildings in Balmville. Another made the point that the demolition of a building had let to good turn out at the meeting--what if the Board had thought to have a meeting about how to save the building? The Dutch Reformed Church was mentioned as example of the positive influence on community that preservation can foster. Finally a parent appeared at the podium with two children. For several years they had waited for bus rides in the shadow of Balmville school. Despite the building's decline they enjoyed the building's presence, and never felt in danger.

In reply to these speakers, the Board President said, "The Board has heard and will react."