South Colonie board names itself SEQRA lead, approves negative declaration for former BOCES conversion

The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously to designate the district as lead agency under part 617 of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and approved a negative declaration for proposed improvements to convert a former BOCES technical education facility into a transportation and maintenance center at 1015 Waterville Shaker Road.

Dr. Perry told the board the district had previously considered a similar conversion at the Moses facility and had since revised the proposal to change which buildings would be demolished and which would be rehabilitated. He said district staff contacted the State Education Department Office of Facilities and the county and that both responses indicated South Colonie could act as lead agency. “We made some changes to our proposed transportation center in terms of what buildings were demolishing and which ones were rehabbing,” Dr. Perry said.

Under SEQRA, the board voted on a resolution to be the lead agency; the motion was made by Mr. Blakeley and seconded by Mr. Misik and was approved by roll call, 9 to 0. The board then considered a separate resolution declaring a negative declaration for the conversion project, with Dr. Perry stating that the planned conversion would have limited environmental impact. That motion, made by Mr. Keane and seconded by Mr. Larby, also carried 9 to 0.

The resolutions clear the district to proceed with its environmental review as lead agency; the board did not specify additional project approvals, permitting steps, or a construction timeline at the meeting. The board adjourned later in the meeting at 5:34 p.m.