Cut for Space: Town and Villages of Montgomery Blog

Valley Central to post school survey online

Meghan E. Murphy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:20:04 +0000

Valley Central announced today that it will post an online survey after the last budget meeting, which is Tuesday, March 16.

The survey will go live Wednesday, March 17, and will be available through Wednesday, March 24, at 4 p.m. on the district website. The results will be shared at work session on April 5.

The district is encouraging residents to participate as a way to offer additional public comment on the budget.

The district has also posted materials from the third CABC meeting, which spell out the five plans for redistricting presented.

Charity seeking head shavers

Meghan E. Murphy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:25:23 +0000

The third Walden St. Baldrick’s fundraiser is coming up, and Robbie Brown is recruiting folks to shed a little hair for children’s cancer research.

In the past two years, the group has raised about $40,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Brown started the event in honor of his cousin, Megan Maureen Dunn, who died at age 7 of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Volunteers get their heads (or eyebrows … or legs) shaved, while sponsors give money to support them. The event is March 27 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Walden Firehouse 230 Old Orange Ave. in Walden.

To sign up as a head shaver call Robbie at 427-1776 or go to www.stbaldricks.org/events/walden.

Sign up for the community garden

Meghan E. Murphy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:20:59 +0000

Town of Montgomery Community Garden is now accepting members who want to grow on the scenic plots in Benedict Farm Park.

Sign-up night is 7 p.m. Monday, March 22 at Town Hall, 110 Bracken Road, Montgomery. Fees are $25 for a 20- by 20-ft. plot. Water is provided.

For questions contact Richard Phelps 778-2736 or visit the garden’s website: www.tomcomgarden.org

The list of potential cuts

Meghan E. Murphy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:35:42 +0000

Valley Central School District has posted the list of potential cost saving measures as well as other handouts distributed at Monday’s budget meeting on its website.

The next meeting is Thursday at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria.

New school budget meeting schedule

Meghan E. Murphy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:30:35 +0000

The district has posted the new community advisory budget committee meeting schedule:

2nd meeting: Monday, March 1
3rd meeting: Thursday, March 4
4th meeting: Monday, March 15

All meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria.

Also, check out the district website for video of the first CABC meeting as well as some suggested letters to legislators.

Budget meeting snowed out again

Meghan E. Murphy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:16:22 +0000

The Community Advisory Budget Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday at Valley Central Middle School has been snowed out again. The meeting will be held Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m.

The third CABC meeting, which was originally slated for March 1, will be rescheduled.

Youth drug prevention group forming

Meghan E. Murphy — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:04:31 +0000

Montgomery parent Jill Schmitt is organizing a school- and community-based awareness group to talk about drug and alcohol prevention among youth.

Local police last year noted increases in heroin deaths, use and heroin-related crimes throughout the county. Schmitt wants the community to come together and talk about solutions.

Schmitt has already rounded up everyone from police officers to county and school representatives for the first meeting. All parents and concerned community members are also invited to attend.

The first meeting of the Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Coalition is 7 p.m., Feb. 24 at the Village of Montgomery Senior Center, 36 Bridge Street.

Salary scrutiny: A new look at superintendent pay

Meghan E. Murphy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:14:52 +0000

After some challenges to our numbers on Superintendent Richard Hooley’s salary, I re-requested those figures.

Here are the numbers straight from the district office:

	Base salary	Salary increase
2006-07:	$154,120.00
2007-08:	$166,450.00	8.00%
2008-09:	$178,450.00	7.21%
2009-10:	$187,352.50	4.99%
	Total percent increase since 06-07	21.56%
	Total dollar increase	$33,232.50

Note: The original blog post had the 2006-07 salary under the incorrect year and included pay that Hooley received in addition to his base salary for 2008-09.

Find out about energy assistance

Meghan E. Murphy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:52:07 +0000

Maybrook homeowners can find out about a new weatherization grant available to help make homes more energy efficient at a meeting Tuesday, March 23.

A Rural Development Advisory Corporation spokesman will talk about Weatherization Assistance Program funds available now to income eligible households.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Maybrook Senior Center. For more information, call village trustee Gina Bradshaw at 494-6815.

Community budget meeting cancelled

Meghan E. Murphy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:23:23 +0000

The Community Budget Advisory Meeting scheduled at Valley Central Middle School is canceled due to snow.

The meeting is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at at the middle school.