Carbone, the rest of the school board and YCSD administrators should be ashamed of themselves. They handled this entire matter poorly for some time. It is the result of long term neglect and mis-handling. But, that is only symptomatic of the deep-rooted, systemic problems within the YCSD and why they should all be tossed out. The problems with that bunch are more wide spread. Bet they will want to make this location into a parking lot or athletic field/tennis court.

So very sad. :(

Another Yorktown Landmark disappears. This time through the arrogance and neglect of the YCSD administrators.

NYS and Yorktown residents should know where the entire Bond monies went too/going to, exact amt for each project allocated..amt for the demolition of The Melbourne House..documents of what resouces they they went too and the documents to save it as Carbone said they exhausted so many.... 247K I beleive was the actual cost to demolish it..if Bond money was allocated towards it, how much and if under 245k that won the "bid" to demolish it..People have the right to know I think.

Yorktown Patch, People want to know and getting no answer from the YCSB or The Town is not acceptable and their arrogance will not be tolerated. If nothing to hide in their books, then let's see them and reciepts.

What a shame. Short-sighted administrators that did not obviously go through YHS at least back when the teachers actually taught values and history...

Good-grief, You can't even cut down a tree in this town without others getting involved.

Depends on how old the tree is ;-)

The writer of this article seems content to present mainly the school district's jaundiced view. Why doesn't the president of our school board know the difference between “sentimentality” and documented history? Even the school district's so-called "expert" for hire knows about that. And what is wrong with sentimentality anyway, a pride in the history of one's community and one's country? Are these qualities also mere sentimentality, to be disrespected and destroyed just like this irreplaceably historic 1812 farmhouse? These are the people in charge of educating our children?! This $250k demolition was a poor, even suspicious, business decision, an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars, just like $1.2 million for artificial turf and over $30 million for "capital projects" that the school district managed to slip by a small handful of voters.

It has become an embarrassment for so many of us to admit that we are residents of Yorktown - people all over this state know this. Our Highway Department has already been under investigation. And now our elected representatives cast aside the rich American heritage of this community, a heritage that these "educators" clearly couldn't care less about, labeling it "sentimentality." The voters of Yorktown should wake up and elect officials who will actually represent them honorably - not disrespect them and insult their intelligence, as this school board has been doing for years.

It's true that it has become an embarassment to be a resident in Yorktown. The YCSD and it school board are bad and so is our town government. Look at what a terrible disappointment Siegel turned out ot be. She only represents what she wants---its "her way or the highway."

Kudos to the Yorktown School District for moving forward on the removal of the old farm house the Voters approved spending money on to do so. This town hears enough for the tree huggers, NIMBY’s and Do Goodies; because of them has wasted too much money trying to accommodate them.
To AS
The writer of the article was merely pointing out the facts of the farm house and the letter the school board president sent to the town supervisor. We all know the School District waste a lot of money on things they can do without, but then you or someone else would complain that enough isn’t being done for the kids. When does it end? I can tell you but you’re not going to like what I have to say.

What is most shocking about this is the close-mindedness and arrogance of the people running our school system. After the Town, Historical Society, and many residents tried to work with the board, Ms. Carbone finally deigned to respond by rehashing the tired arguments that when the voters approved a $37 million bond over 6 years ago they were endorsing every line-item (even though the school board has altered other line-items in that bond); that the board had tried to save the farmhouse by contacting one or two local groups even though numerous other options were never considered; that the building was of no significance because the board's architect said so, even though the NY State Historic Preservation Office found it to be qualified for national and state landmark status; that saving the building was cost-prohibitive even though the Town and others had offered to purchase it and save the money spent destroying it.

There is simply no way to justify how the YCSD handled this situation. Ignoring the people they are supposed to serve is unacceptable behavior from any public officer or board. When the people who are running our schools show utter disdain for the town taxpayers and refuse to even respond to emails and calls, something is terribly wrong. This board has shown nothing but disregard for the residents of the town. I can only hope that come the next election the town residents show them the same.

It’s GONE get over it! I am glad all it would have become is an additional tax burden we would be paying for.

Everyone wanted to save the old building. It wasn't the original structure. Did anyone actually read the article? Yorktowner claims that [" What is most shocking about this is the close-mindedness and arrogance of the people running our school system. After the Town, Historical Society, and many residents tried to work with the board, Ms. Carbone finally deigned to respond by rehashing the tired arguments that when the voters approved a $37 million bond over 6 years ago they were endorsing every line-item (even though the school board has altered other line-items in that bond); that the board had tried to save the farmhouse by contacting one or two local groups even though numerous other options were never considered; that the building was of no significance because the board's architect said so, even though the NY State Historic Preservation Office found it to be qualified for national and state landmark status; that saving the building was cost-prohibitive even though the Town and others had offered to purchase it and save the money spent destroying it." ]What the heck are you rambling about?

continued :Don't you know that if the building was restored, by the way at great expense to the taxpayer, who would pay for the upkeep and insurance? You know who would, we the taxpayers. Martin hits the nail on the head when he writes " would have become is an additional tax burden we would be paying for." What don't you do-godders understand, WE CAN"T AFFORD THIS STUFF ANYMORE. Maybe shouting will get your attention. This building was slated to go, over four years ago . It might have cost less to do it back then. It is time for government to trim the fat of it's operations. That includes buying more land for "open spaces". Again, look at you tax bill and compare it to your paycheck, see any difference? I will point it out to you, most of you haven't seen an increase in your paycheck but you have seen an increase in your tax bill.

Concerning the last commenter: Here we have another neurotic Tea Partier who let's some wacko rage and fear of taxes blind them to reality. First of all, you demonstrate no ability to even understand the idea of historic preservation? Do you even know what it means to have a site declared a state and national landmark? Apparently not, since you refer to it as "rambling." Is your education level beyond the second grade? Secondly, you are clueless about the number of private foundations and thriving corporations who devote money just for the purpose of restoring historic buildings. If you are so concerned about costs to the taxpayer, why are you not ranting about an astronomical $36 million capital improvement project that comes out of taxpayer pockets? Like so many Tea Partiers, you have an aversion to facts but love to talk about how everything is about not paying taxes. It's okay with you to spend a wild $247,000 for a demolition contract that was not even fairly bid on, money that could have gone to restore a house THAT CLEARLY HAS TREMENDOUS HISTORIC VALUE? How can anyone take you seriously? Read a book!

Obviously Fed Up, you don't even know me and you are casting aspersions. I think it is you that needs a lesson in economics. This project dates back more than FOUR YEARS! Why did you and your friends wait till the last minute EVEN to talk about it? Why didn't you get off your duffs and do something? 247,000 dollars would NOT have restored the building! That is a fact. The project would have cost less if it had been done when it was supposed to be done. I know about land marks and this, in my opinion, was not one of them. If it was it would have been declared one over 4 years ago. It is also obvious that you read TOO many books and really don't live in the real world. We are drowning is debt and you want to increase the water level. Do you even live in Yorktown, or are you like the others that live out of state and want to tell us how to run our town? I have lived in Yorktown for over 42 years, can you say the same?

Francis T. You don't seem to have read my comment.

My point was about the process, or lack thereof, that the board used to handle this situation. The point is that the board ignored the Town, ignored the Historical Society, and ignored a large number of residents. The board didn't even bother to return emails or calls. The farmhouse was not the board's property--it belongs to me and the other taxpayers of Yorktown. If taxpayers want to discuss the issue and talk about alternate approaches, the onus is on the school board to have that discussion. But this board, especially Ms Carbone, seems to think that they have the right to do whatever they want with our property and don't even have to listen to our ideas or take the time to explain their side. Well, all I can say to that is that they better not forget that they are elected. It behooves them to have a conversation with the voters. The idea that the people running our schools are modeling such close-minded, autocratic, and top-down behavior is horrifying. They should be modeling discussion, compromise, and communication.

As to the burden on the taxpayer, we just paid $2437K to tear down a building. Organizations offered to take over the building and to be in charge of raising private funding for the restoration--which would have cost the taxpayer zilch. You are displaying the kind of narrow-minded, can't-see-the-big-picture thinking that officials like Ms. Carbone depend on.

46 years - read 2 books - you'll be twice as smart

"Inertia is the first law of history, as it is of physics." Morris R. Cohen
Hands up all of you complainers that actually are members of a preservation organization - or actively work as a volunteer in the Yorktown School District? Are you truly helping our community or was this just a platform for you to mouth off w/o all the facts. Because many of you did not read the article correctly. Elements of the house, through the centuries, have been saved and a complete history of the building has been written. Cry if you want Yorktown, but honestly we are luckier than many communities whose history crumbles w/o anyone documenting it. Melbourne House lived way beyond her original use. Instead of being eliminated completely parts of her will live on. Now accept the facts, stop bellyaching and let's build a bistory that future Yorktowners will want to emulate.

Where were all of these preservationists 6 years ago when the board at that time began the discussion about the farmhouse. Unfortunately, it was too little too late in 2011.
The prevailing opinion of the board 6 years ago was that they" would be putting good money after bad". Six years ago , the demolition costs would have been $95,000. Mr McVetty is right. Who would be paying for the renovation and upkeep? The taxpayers! The building is on school property and could never be used by outside groups during school hours. As much as I have disagreed with this board over the years, they made a fiscally prudent decision. We need to move on and learn from this. The demolition closes a very expensive chapter of the Yorktown school district. The public needs to become more involved in the the school board process and the spending of public monies.

To "Common Sense" - Please try to understand the following: We do not "build history" - that is something we call the future. As a society we should try to learn from and build upon the past and that is why America is in the practice of preserving remnants of it's history. Many longtime residents of Yorktown, such as myself, treasure that history. Our elected officials, the Yorktown Board of Education and its henchmen, (unelected officials) have just needlessly destroyed a documented piece of our treasured history (to argue otherwise would be a distortion of the facts)

LC: You clearly work for the school district or someone close to you does since you are peddling the same distortions that so many Yorktown voters are so sick of hearing from this school board.

Signing off now, so rant on. Let's all just try to learn from this. See you all at the election polls in November!

Fed Up, I don't fall under those categories you have listed. I'm a taxpayer and want this madness of spending stopped. LC is also right when he/she states that the public needs to become more involved in the school board process and the spending of public monies. Here is an example of the public NOT being involved [The Yorktown school board's $91.1 million budget passed with a total number of 1,037 votes "yes" in support, while 562 voters were against the budget.] You mean to tell me that there are only 1599 registered votes in Yorktown? Remember, you get the government you deserve. Just look at the 2008 election results.

I hate these forum because it's so easy for people to get rude to one another sitting at a keyboard. It really makes one wonder about the future of civil society in this country.

I understand that people are scared about high taxes- scared about losing their houses and paying essential bills especially now that the economy looks like it could take another dive. I also agree that people should participate more in local affairs and salute those who do so but many like me are out of the house for 10-12 hours a day making money to pay the bills.

Ignorance is no excuse, but as a relative newcomer in town only I only became aware of the controversy about this house in the Pennysaver to weeks ago. It looked like nothing would stop the demolition at that point so I proposed seeing if the earliest parts of the house could be saved. The head of the Yorktown Historical Society, which had given up after previously trying to inquire about the future of the house, agreed and contacted the school board almost a week before the demolition. They never even responded to him which I think was rather rude. After all the school is part of the community which pays the bills- not a private corporation. It appears that some decorative elements were saved presumably from the late 1800's expansion but little if anything from the 1812 house which may have been largely obliterated by the later expansion.

Jean-Francois, you have come into this a little late and not due to any fault of yours. This has been going on for 6 years. Those who wanted to preserve the "landmark", had ALL that time to do something. What did they do, absolutely nothing but complain. As far as blaming the school board, I also blame them for the DELAY and the added cost involved. I also think that your statement about being rude needs to be clarified. Is it rude to tell the emperor he has no cloths? Many posters here are saying just that.

It may have been too little too late but after the head of the local historical contacted the board in a non-confrontational way about salvaging parts of the house a week before the demolition, the least they could have done was to get back to him directly. Otherwise I see your point. If Yorktown had more community spirit, the emperor could go out and buy a suit using funds obtained from outside sources and concerned citizens limiting any additional burden to the general taxpayer. If people has gotten together in good faith to find solutions and work creatively together, this could have been a worthwhile community project and an asset to the school rather than a burden.

Cont:

What I am curious about though from 1983 t0 2004..what happened? And not just to the Farmhouse but the grounds ( except the NFL Fotball field they have now ) It was always well kept when I was in School, they even painted the outside of the house I sort of remember.

Many now on the Board are not from Yorktown and have no connection so to say..it's all money and what school is better than the others yadda yadda yadda.

When I left Ytown the School taxes were very high and am sure will keep going up no matter what. has anyone asked to see the Schools Books and reciepts? The office in Trangle rental for example, people said that rent was high and taxpayers had to pay?

Also School sizes are decreasing, thise extra wings were really not needed in my opinion. There has not been a class over 400 since 1981 which was 411. 1982 was the last of the large ones at 396. 2011 I think was 307, 2010 was 356

I also saw the Town wants to remove the old Field Home? Sad that they are not preserving the past in many aspects.

I heard about this Sept 2009 when I visited the School for a Yearbook project and have not have not been there since graduation 1983. I suggested making it a School Muesum. Dennis VerBoys mentioned a Sports Muesuem and he did not know the history ect..I e-mailed him websites about the history, contacted the Historical Society which did not seem organized and they asked me to help...not my line of work really but wanted this saved...I sent e-mails, none answered ect..then notified by Alan S.

I also left Ytwon after 40 yrs in 2007 and reside in Ulster County and now, work in NJ so bit of challenge to be there..I also asked to be on a Historical commite but cannot as no longer a resident ect.

Both sides have have great arguments, but seeing all options available to restore, it could have been. If Landmarked I think NYS would pay.

Jean-Francois, I don't know if you are feeling the hard economic times, but the majority of the general public is. They, the people that wanted to save the building, had years to solve this problem. It wasn't like the school board did it overnight.You also write [If people has gotten together in good faith to find solutions and work creatively together, this could have been a worthwhile community project and an asset to the school rather than a burden.] What would it have been used for? It could only be used for school activities. Feel good projects need to be paid for. The burden on the taxpayers back, has come to the breaking point.

Um re-read when I said "I think NYS would pay" Please, do not go tit for tat with me and keep your tone proffesional as you do not know me, nor I you. I asked questions...have I looked at the Budgiet, no I have not...You do not know what I personally went through which would have prevented me to look, nor do I have to explain. No need for nasty remarks as it can be misleading to the type of person you are.

Now, if you like you can respond to what wrote earliear in a civil tone :-)

Now, if you like you can respond to what wrote earlier, Please be specific in what you want me to respond to. Secondly, what did I write that was NOT civil? Again, be specific.

My Comments are wriitten above. Questions had a question mark, general questions, not directed at you.. Did not like the tone of your note to me and after reading other comments you wrote, well they seem to be a bit condesending to others as well in tone.

Take care now and enjoy the rest of the Weekend!

Oh, did you go to YHS by chance? Your name looks familar

Joe, if you post something anywhere, you are expressing your ideas. You are also open to critique. Condescending remarks are in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes people don't like the answers they get. I would suggest that you get a thicker skin, you and the president seem to have the same problem. I do hope that that was not too condescending. Have a nice weekend also.

My Skin is thick..almost prob as your skull and or attitiude..you see I don't need to stoop to your level..I like to rise above ignorance and well, low class and trash talk people say on walls and posts..such as yours. Children must act and respond as Childeren..show some class and respect to others, if you cannot maybe seek some help as you seem angry and use these posts to vent and harrass, I have seen this before

I did not Vote for our President nor will I in the next election FYI.

As I said, you do not want to go tit for tat with me although if you like you can amuse me and us here some more, I always enjoy a good laugh :-)

XO

:-)

Continue with your rants and prove yourself to who and what you are to others, no skin off my back Francis LOL!

Enjoy now!

I also see you have a grasp of texting, that is a real help in answering questions, isn't it? Talk about children. A line from a movie, "you can't handle the truth!" My question is, show me where I am wrong in what I posted. Maybe I'm right but you don't like my presentation?

You are ranting and going off the subject Francise.. a qoaute in a movie? You are not a stable person and may have anger issues...no I am not "texting" I am typing on a keyboard..also you should not personally attack people..I proved my point, all can see it in what you write..gibberish attacks.

I did see your have ran into issues in other posts as a few comments in The Patch removed. Maybe you need to be peremantly removed? As I said, you don't want to go tit for tat with me

Go outside, get some air, do productive things with your life vs ranting in Posts, it's not healthy

Continue as you wish if you like, entertian us while you still can.

Caio!
XO

Any other comments you address to me will be ignored as well..your not in my league to carry on an intellegant conversation, sorry to disappoint you.

Best of luck to you and my you find inner peace

Oh I forgot I'm addressing the ELITE. Very clever with the keyboard though. I think that if a reasonable person read your postings, they also might say the same thing about your postings.Commenting on things you know nothing about. When asked a question, you change the subject. Who is acting like a child? You remind me of Meredith, who also posts here on the patch. In closing, I don't have to FIND my inner peace, I know who I am and what I want in life. I am also NOT afraid of using my name. I don't snipe.

$247,900... ay carumba! Couldn't they have just left the building fenced off and used this money for more important bond projects? I agree the history claims were getting ridiculous, but there's no reason they needed to spend 1/4 billion on it...

Black mold and asbestos. Rats and other vermin. Danger of fire. These are all good reasons to raze the building.

Hey all, it was a huge expense to the taxpayers-
To allow the house to become abandoned, then knocked down that is.
We're forgetting the other expenses associated with the office space of the school administration. Re cap:
The house was the Admin offices for years-they felt it was too small and it was intentionally allowed to fall apart-no routine maintenance was done. The Admin was moved into commercial space in the Triangle, for a couple/three years-at the tune of 15K a month-that's 180K a year.
Then they built a new library (smaller than the old one) and renovated the old library into new Admin space. How much did those 2 projects cost?
Then they paid 250K to knock down the old house.
Yep that's watching your P's and Q's folks-what a joke.
P.S. when I say "they paid" it really means "we paid"

The only question now left is what was the cost breakdown on the removal of the building? Why did it cost $247,900? It seems a lot more than the original estimate. Just wondering.

idk- I wonder if the local FD would have burned it down for free

Great idea, but not practical. Too close to the road and power/telephone lines.