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Town and Plainedge School District mull land swap
Under a proposal moving forward, the Town will assume title to the Packard Middle School, demolish it and build a new building for its offices. In return, the Town will give title to the Town's south annex in Massapequa, and some cash in a swap that Town Supervisor John Venditto described as a creative way of saving money and reducing development. "This shows how well different layers of government can work together to solve a problem," said Venditto in discussing the deal, which has still not been finalized. "We needed more elbow room for our employees and the school district was willing to downsize." The Town will give an as-yet to be determined amount of cash to the school district to make up the difference between the value of the the Town Hall building, at 977 Hicksville Road, and the more valuable Packard school at 331 North Idaho Avenue. The Packard school has been vacant for two years with the district paying to maintain and heat it. Thus, Plainedge School District Superintendent Dr. John Richman said he agrees that the arrangement is beneficial to both sides. "I think this is a win-win situation because the Town won't have to build a new building and it's a win for the community because we won't have to pay to maintain the building," said Richman. He added that the district will generate income by renting out the old Town Hall building, which was originally Plainedge's James E. Picken Elementary School in the 1980s. Although the plan needs to be voted on by Plainedge residents some time in March, the Town has been getting its affairs in order, which according to Venditto looks favorable as per his discussions with residents. "We have agreed, as per residents' requests, that no lights will be installed on the field so the glare doesn't bother them and that there will be no vehicle maintenance at Packard, as there was at Town hall," said Venditto. At hearings held during the month of October, funds for the switch were okayed as were plans to address some environmental issues such as the removal of an oil tank, and the repair of the slate roof. According to Venditto, Packard School would cost more to update than tearing it down and rebuilding a new structure. Because the time-line targets the spring of 2009 as the opening of the new Town Hall South, the Town plans to lease the property from the school district in the interim. Richman said the school was "shoddily" constructed in the mid 1960s. "It was made from free form concrete, which isn't good for construction in this climate," he said. It's a high maintenance building and we'll be happy to be rid of it." In addition to the new space, the Town will be putting in at least two new baseball fields and one all-purpose field at Packard. Town Hall South houses the Town's Community & Youth Services Division, Office of Employment & Training, their Parks Department and the Town Clerk's annex office, all of which will remain as part of the new building. Talks will continue with residents, the dates of which will be announced by the school board, according to Richman.
"I think the message to residents is that when everyone comes to the table, government works," said Venditto, who said the Town's mantra in this case was consolidation and practicality.
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