Five grants totaling $10,000 were recently awarded from the Hamilton College Town-Gown Fund to educational and public safety organizations in the Town of Kirkland.
Recipients of the inaugural awards included the Clinton Central School District, $1,500, and the Clinton Central School Foundation, $1,000, both to support the District's Professional Development Center; the Clinton Fire Department, $3,000 toward the purchase of an infrared imaging camera; St. Mary's School, $3,000 for computer equipment; and the Town of Kirkland Police Department, $1,500 to extend the hours for the Youth Center in Lumbard Hall.
"It is a privilege for me to present these grants on behalf of the Town-Gown Fund Committee," Hamilton President Eugene M. Tobin said. "We are delighted to be making such investments in our community."
Tobin also announced that the college recently had earmarked $100,000 from its unrestricted funds and allocated it to the Town-Gown Fund. As a result, the fund is currently valued at more than $300,000 and at least $15,000 will be available for grants next year. The amount of income available for grants is based on a trustee formula that limits college spending to five percent of the fund's total value.
The Professional Development Center at Clinton Central Schools provides staff development opportunities for District faculty members and staff, as well as for any Hamilton students and professors who wish to participate. In addition to providing stipends, on occasion, for instructors, the grants will enable the Center to purchase supplies and materials for workshops and presentations, and institute a volunteer recognition program. The Center, which was established two years ago, provides inservice training for CCS faculty members at little or no cost to the District.
An infrared camera for use in zero-visibility situations has been at the top of the Fire Department's "wish list" for several years, according to Fire Chief John Nester. Although the camera would cost a minimum of $16,000, Nester said the grant from the Town-Gown Fund would be earmarked for the new equipment and additional funding sources would be sought.
The $3,000 grant to St. Mary's is part of a three-to-one challenge grant, meaning the parochial school must raise $9,000 to secure the grant's full value. St. Mary's, which serves approximately 200 students in grades Pre-K through 6, is seeking to purchase one new computer with Internet access for each of its eight classrooms, plus the library and office. Currently, the school uses donated computers from Rome Labs, Hamilton College and private individuals.
The Youth Center in Lumbard Hall is being modeled after the CASA (Community Against Substance Abuse) program that was developed several years ago. With funding from the Town of Kirkland, the police department will staff the after-hours gathering place for local youth beginning after the first of the year. Police Chief Dan English said the grant from the Town-Gown Fund will enable Kirkland police officers to increase the frequency that the Center will be open.
Members of the Town-Gown Fund Committee are invited to participate by the president of the college. Current members include Tobin, who chairs the committee; Carole Bellini-Sharp, professor of theatre, Hamilton College; Andy Burns, president, Strategic Investment Advisors, Inc.; Patrick Curtin, interim superintendent, Clinton Central School District; John Fehlner, owner, The Cleaners and Clinton Cider Mill; Annette Foley, supervisor, Town of Kirkland; Jeff Little, trustee, Hamilton College; John Nester, chief, Clinton Fire Department; and Jack Withiam, trustee, Hamilton College.
