Abutter's Meeting for Track and Field Project Is Positive, Story of the Hurricane of 1938 Brings Back Memories
Recently, Executive Director, Walter Landberg and Chief Operating Officer, Chad Graves held a question and answer session at IACS that all of the school's abutters were invited to attend. About 15 abutters attended, most of whom live on Tyng Road, across from, or next to, the school's property.
Walter and Chad spent about an hour discussing the project with the attendees, shared renderings of the project plans and took some time to show a few people around the building. Many of the attendees expressed support for the project and an appreciation for the the school's presence in the community. One long time resident commented that it was nice to hear kids playing in the yard at the facility once again (the Marist brothers ran a school at the property for many years). Some of the concerns raised were in regards to noise levels during the project and the potential for additional development of the land.
In regards to the noise concerns, we have passed this information on to our project team and we expect that the construction crews will follow all local ordinances in regards to work hours and keep the noise down as best they can. In regards to the additional development of the land, we explained that any additional buildings or structures for the school would be built closer to the current facility and likely would disturb very little of the close to 200 acres of wooded land on the property. Additionally, the school has no plans to sell or develop the property and, much like our neighbors, we feel that the wooded area that makes up most of the land is a true treasure for both our school and the community.
While the entire discussion took on a very positive tone, perhaps the most interesting comments came from the long time residents of the area, who noted that the trees in the area we are developing for the track and field project were almost entirely wiped out by the Hurricane of 1938. Amazing to think, as you look out at the heavily wooded area now, that fewer than 100 years ago, as a result of a Hurricane, hardly any trees stood there!
-- submitted by Walter Landberg