Legislators tour new career center

On their tour through the North Country Career Center construction project legislators stop in the new cosmetology program’s classroom.  Career center director Bob Fitts explains how the polished concrete floors will be attractive yet require minimal maintenance.  From left to right are Representative John Rodgers of Glover, North Country Union High School Board Chairman Arne Amaliksen, Orleans-Essex North Supervisory Union Superintendent Robert Kern, clerk of the works Jim Sharpe, Representative Duncan Kilmartin of Newport, Bob Fitts, Representative Mike Marcotte of Coventry, and Representative Dexter Randall of Troy. Also on the tour, but not shown, was Representative Loren Shaw of Derby.  Photo by Joseph Gresser

by Joseph Gresser

NEWPORT — North Country Career Center’s construction project is 77 percent complete and ahead of schedule, center director Bob Fitts told local legislators Monday morning, January 7.

Almost all of Orleans County’s representatives to the state House of Representatives showed up for a predawn tour of the work under way at the career center.

The viewing was combined with a frank plea from Mr. Fitts for the local delegation’s help in getting the state to pay its share of the project’s costs as quickly as possible.

Voters approved the $18.7-million project last year with an assurance from the state that it would pick up a large share of the costs.  The state promised to pay 100 percent of the cost, but its way of figuring eligible expenses means that about 75 percent of project costs will be covered by the state.

This was known by voters when they gave their approval.  Taxpayers also knew that they must borrow money for the project and pay interest on the debt until the state reimburses their expenditures.

Mr. Fitts told legislators that the career center budget that will be presented to voters on Town Meeting Day in March will include $300,000 for interest payments.  The budget voters will see in 2009 will include between $500,000 and $750,000 for interest payments, he said.

“It’s very important you get the state to commit to pay their share,” he said.  “I’d like them to come up with a plan, five years or ten years, to get their share paid.”

Mr. Fitts said that the project is ahead of schedule, and that he expects work to be complete in October. For every month that the workers beat their schedule the school saves $18,000, he said.

While sympathetic, the legislators were not optimistic about the state’s ability to reimburse the district quickly.

Representative John Rodgers of Glover said, “It’s going to be slow, like Brattleboro.  That community paid a lot of interest.”

Mr. Rodgers, who serves on the House Institutions Committee, said, “We’ll do all we can for you. Don’t count on it being paid for in three years.  The committee will try to get everyone something every year.”

After the discussion, members of the legislative delegation donned hard hats and walked through the new building.  The general impression was one of admiration for the project with its well-lit classrooms and work spaces.

The tour complete, Mr. Fitts thanked the legislators for their time and sent them off, knowing they would be in Montpelier for the start of the 2008 session the next day.