To my fellow Charlotters,
On September 28 I attended an information meeting held by the CCS board. I was surprised to see how few voting taxpayers attended (only 11 or 12 of us). The board shared a lot of information and answered questions.
After our meeting we got to tour the 1949 building. Even with updates since I attended school here in the 60s, I was surprised to see the condition of the building. The roof has leaked a lot and the stucco has cracked and broken. Both have allowed water into the building, compromising the insulation’s R value. The windows installed in the late 70s and early 80s have deteriorated drastically. The locks have worn out and the weather seals are shot. The wind blows through horribly. One teacher was in her second floor classroom and we got to talk with her. When the wind blows, the curtains are moving as the cold blows through. Her room is so cold she looks for reasons to send her students out to the hallway to warm up.
All this while there are open windows on the third floor because it is so hot. Covering the windows with plastic is out. If there was an emergency and Rire & Rescue had to get the kids out through the windows, plastic would jeopardize their efforts, putting the children at greater risk.
The boilers on the ground floor are relatively new, but with the cost of fuel oil, the second bond for a woodchip system would pay for itself. CVU now has a woodchip system. CCS/CVU would be recognized as one customer, getting a discount for more chips.
I encourage everyone to vote yes on both bonds on November 3. We have an existing building; let’s maintain it.
Leo Laberge
Friendly 
