December 15, 2008

No local property tax-impact $1.985 million EXCEL referendum passed by voters Dec. 15, 2008

Hilton Central School District residents passed a a no-tax-impact $1,985,000 EXCEL Maintenance and Renovation Bond Vote Dec. 15 by a vote of 302-120.  EXCEL II PROJECT PRESENTATION   The project represents a second phase of construction renovation projects using NYS EXCEL grant funding which is expected to address these school building issues:

• Drainage improvements around the perimeter of Northwood Elementary School classroom wings
• Replacement of a failing emergency generator at Northwood Elementary School
• Conversion of non-instructional space to classroom space to create one additional classroom at each of Hilton's three elementary schools in order to accommodate growth in pre-kindergarten through grade six
• Abatement and replacement of deteriorating vinyl asbestos floor tiles at Merton Williams Middle School
• Renovation of the original restrooms in the Village Elementary School/Hazel Jenkins wing
• Installation of an exhaust hood and fire suppression system in the high school concession stand
• Replacement of secondary classroom exits at the Quest Elementary School that have become damage due to building settling.

"This may be the last opportunity to take advantage of the State's EXCEL grant special funding to improve school districts' infrastructure," said Hilton Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven Ayers.  "The Hilton School District has always striven to maximize the use of state aid funding in an effort to minimize any impact on local property tax."

This is the second NYS EXCEL grant funding for which the district has applied for and will be 87.3% state-aided, therefore, no local property tax impact to residents according to Mr. Ayers.  District residents approved a similar EXCEL project in 2007 which accomplished a major roof replacement at Northwood Elementary as well as ceiling and flooring improvements, a complete replacement of the school's electrical service; newly renovated gymnasium floors at the High School, Merton Williams and Quest; 32 windows replaced at the High School as well as renovations at the high school lavatories; HVAC improvements at the Village Elementary School along with lavatory renovations; and a new emergency generator and uninterruptible power supply for the Network Operations Center located at 225 West Ave. 

"There is $1.4 million in EXCEL grant funding available to the district and we have $200,000 unused from the 2007 project," Mr. Ayers said. "We got our bids out in a timely manner and came in $600,000 under budget.  There is still work to be done under EXCEL Phase I at Northwood this summer as well as at the High School.  We are asking for voter authorization for EXCEL Phase II.  If approved by voters, the construction would begin in the summer of 2010."

For further information from Mr. Ayers: 585-392-1000 ext. 7034. For more: Hilton CSD Capital Projects. 

Voting Requirements  Hilton district residents must be registered voters with Monroe County Board of Elections or with the District in order to be eligible to vote.  All about Voting in New York State. 

Qualifications to vote are:

• be a US citizen
• be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file the form
• be 18 years old by the date of the election you wish to vote in
• live at your present address at least 30 days before an election
• not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction
• not claim to right to vote elsewhere.

Absentee ballots are available at the District Clerk's office, 225 West Ave., Hilton; ballots must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter. Completed applications are examined and reviewed by the District Clerk. Walk-in returns of completed ballots must be at the District Clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote. Absentee Voting Qualifications are: unavoidable absent from your county on day of vote; unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability; a patient in a Veterans' Administration Hospital; detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.  For absentee ballot forms or for more information  - MUST BE RETURNED DIRECTLY TO HILTON DISTRICT CLERK, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468.    For Hilton Central School District registration and absentee ballots, call 585-392-1000 ext. 7099/7033. 

VOTER INFO HOTLINE: 1-800-367-8683   VOTER INFORMATION FOR TDD/TTY CALL THE NEW YORK STATE RELAY 711   Are you registered to vote in New York State?  

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