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Port Jervis board approves purchase resolution for nearby property after debate
Summary
The Port Jervis board approved a resolution and negative declaration to purchase a nearby property by a 6–1 vote. One board member objected to buying what they described as a former junkyard and questioned the price; district staff said a Phase I environmental study and topsoil remediation had been completed.
The Port Jervis City School District board voted 6–1 May 6 to approve a resolution and negative declaration authorizing the purchase of a nearby property that the board discussed as part of the upcoming referenda on the May 20 ballot.
During discussion a board member said they opposed the acquisition, calling the parcel a "junkyard" and saying they were uncomfortable allowing district children to play on such land. "I wouldn't allow my own children to play in a junkyard, and therefore, I would not feel right about letting the children of this district play in a junkyard," the board member said, also stating the purchase price of $850,000 and describing that price as high for the parcel.
District leaders disputed the characterization of the site as an active junkyard. "Just so the public knows, it hasn't been a junkyard in several decades, and a Phase 1 environmental study was conducted before the current owners bought the land," Dr. John Bell told the board. He added that several feet of topsoil had been brought in to improve the surface.
The purchase was described in the budget presentation as part of a plan to acquire roughly 12.5 acres that would connect the high school campus to the East Main Street campus and give the district greater control over adjoining land use. The presenter said the parcel would not be used as an immediately active playing field but would help link campuses and control development next to district property.
The motion carried 6–1; the purchase appears on the May 20 ballot as one of the referendum items voters will decide.
