School board meeting held to discuss school Chester building getting damaged during storm

A vacant school building in Chester had its roof torn off during the storm that hit the Hudson Valley on Monday.

Ben Nandy and Rob Taub

Jul 5, 2023, 9:19 PM

Updated 387 days ago

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The Chester Union Free School District held a meeting Wednesday after a vacant school building lost its roof during the storm earlier this week.
The building - abandoned since 2019 - had its roof torn off by the winds on Monday. The school district previously tried to turn the property into a sports facility, but voters rejected the financing.
"It would be nice to tear it down,” said Orange County’s Edwin Lozada. "I mean, it's nice to have historical things, but if it could be used for something more productive in the community. I feel like it would benefit the local community."
Chester Union Free School District Superintendent Catherine O'Hara added her staff is assessing the damage to the building and removing debris.
"Clearly, the board is well aware of the state of the building," she said.
A Chester code enforcement officer told News 12 he checked out the building just after the roof was pulled back. The officer said the building is not at risk of collapse and that there is no immediate danger to the surrounding community.


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