NEW HARTFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — After much backlash, the New Hartford School District announced on Friday, October 13 that it will not include their proposed new bus garage as a part of their 2023 capital project.

The proposed garage was slated to be built behind the Myles Elementary School, and plans were presented to voters during a school board meeting on Tuesday, October 10. Board members unanimously chose to table the plan at the meeting. It would have replaced the existing garage on Graham Avenue, which includes a bus garage and an athletic equipment storage space, which the district said was inadequate for the bus fleet’s needs.

“Both the board and the district acknowledge the concerns of the community brought forth at the Oct. 10 meeting and have decided more time is needed to review the plan for a new bus garage,” the district said in a statement.

The district said in their statement that they will be forming a community-wide committee to review the plans and possible sites for a new garage to be put up for a vote. The committee will consist of representatives from the community, as well as the Town of New Hartford. Any proposed site will be subject to a State Environmental Quality Review Act study before it is brought before the board.

Both the board and district anticipate a new plan will be part of a capital project proposal vote in December of 2028.

There will still be a proposed capital project on the ballot in December for New Hartford residents. The revised $44.7 million capital project will consist of general renovations to the three elementary schools, as well as the high school. Architects will present that plan at the Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, October 24. If the resolution is approved, district residents would vote on the project on Tuesday, December 12.