School proposal survives in Alton

Two amendments intended to give voters lower cost alternatives to a proposed $18.6 million Alton Central School renovation plan failed to pass at the Alton School District Deliberative Session on Saturday at Prospect Mountain High School.

This means that voters will decide on funding the renovation project at the polls by official ballot on Tuesday, March 12, at the high school. Of the town's 4,022 registered voters, 172 attended Saturday's session.

Warrant Article II asks voters to raise and appropriate $18,665,536 for "renovation, reconstruction, repairs and construction of an addition to the Alton Central School and for furnishing and equipment. Of that amount, the school board would bond $17,705,536 and pull the rest from an assortment of capital reserve funds.We've got a plastic card to suit you.They manufacture custom rubber and silicone bracelet and bracelets.

In explaining the rationale and background of the proposal, Steve Renner, a member of the volunteer Building and Grounds Committee, which has been working on addressing building, health and safety problems at the Central School for many years, said this year's proposal differs from a proposal that failed last year. It is less expensive, does not include a geothermal heating system and does not include a third floor. The renovation would address health and safety issues such as asbestos located in tiles under carpet in an older wing at the school; would remove five older and inefficient and modular classrooms and incorporate more classrooms into the renovation, and upgrade fire alarm systems to meet current code. Others at the meeting commented that the school's heating and cooling system is inefficient - or either too hot or too cold - and that the stench of sewage wafts in the area of the modular classrooms due to a problem with the system.

"The modular classrooms are an extreme security risk," added Renner. The addition of a gym would allow for expansion of the cafeteria, reducing the number of lunch periods from four to three.

Budget Committee member Barbara Howard said she was one of the three budget committee members who opposed Article II because of cost and timing.Where you can create a custom lanyard from our wide selection of styles and materials.

"I felt the taxpayers can't bear the cost of the bond," she said. Renner would later say the school project would add about $1 per $1,000 of assessed value on property taxes. Howard said the district has no grants or no financial assistance for this project. She said taxpayers also face the burden of funding the state retirement program, which faces a $2.2 billion shortfall.

Dozens of residents, many of those with children in school and others without, spoke in favor of the $18.6 million plan. Those opposed were vocal, as well.

Raymond Howard made a motion to amend Article II down to $4,460,Online shopping for luggage tag from a great selection of Clothing.000 and to bond $3,500,00 and use $960,000 in funds set aside in capital reserve accounts for some renovations at the school. In a secret ballot, the motion failed, 107-51.

Warrant Article III, a petitioned warrant article proposed by school board member Steve Miller, asked whether voters would raise and appropriate $7 million to repair the roof, replace the modular classrooms and address safety and security issues at the Central School. Neither the budget committee nor the school board voted to recommend this article.

Hitting the street on a recent weekend night, we started out old school, at Danny’s, an institution short on nonsense and long on local color. Danny’s was founded by Frank Mansfield (of the Mansfield insurance family) in the 1940s on the ground floor of the Hotel Savoy. Originally known as Mansfield’s, it was renamed Danny’s after Frank’s son, Danny, inherited the business. In 1975, the classic roadhouse-style bar moved to its current location: a former service garage across from the train station on Railroad Avenue.

“The only things that have changed since then are the hardwood floors, where there used to be carpets, and the ceiling tiles, that used to be gold-colored, from all the nicotine,” chuckled regular patron, Ryan Mayo. Aside from now being smoke-free, just about everything in between the floor and ceiling remains virtually unchanged — the pool table, the jukebox, the battle-scarred, rectangular bar, and the shuffleboard game in the corner, where a league of Westerly locals plays a version of the game called horse collar. And that, say Danny’s customers, is how they like it.

Equally cold beers and searing hot rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues are always on tap up at the nearby Knickerbocker Café, while just across the railroad tracks, at 23 Canal St., the Hilltop Café offers an old-school atmosphere similar to Danny’s, together with one of the best plates of cavatelli in town — perfect for fueling up before a night out.

Having paid our respects to Westerly’s classic elbow-bending circuit, we switched gears as we rounded the corner onto High Street to inspect some recent additions to the night-life scene. On the way, we noted that the newest eatery in town, Trattoria Longo, at the intersection of Canal and High, was packed as usual with diners looking for authentic Italian in an upscale setting that rivals just about anything Federal Hill has to offer in quality and atmosphere.Comprehensive Wi-Fi and RFID tag by Aeroscout to accurately locate and track any asset or person.

Once on High Street, we were happy to see that 84 Tavern on Canal (the former 84 High Street restaurant) was doing a brisk business, serving up cocktails and its standard hearty and creative fare that has drawn a loyal crowd for years. But we were ultimately drawn to the newest kid on the block, The Twisted Vine. Though this sophisticated, spacious and chic establishment only opened its doors in September, it already has a faithful following.