Heritage Museum Tugs at the School Board to Display Historic Boat Outside R.J.O.

Volunteers from the Kings Park Heritage Museum made a presentation to the Board of Education during Tuesday evening’s meeting requesting that a donated, wooden tugboat be put on display outside of the R.J.O Intermediate School.

The 22 ft. long boat, which dates back to the early 20th century, was donated by the Vita family of San Remo and according to museum officials would help hide unsightly dumpsters outside of the school.

The use of the boat was mentioned during the last board meeting where board president William Motherway requested that the school’s legal team review the request and the possible liability implications before making any decisions.

Chris Powers, an attorney representing the school spoke last night to review the possible risks associated with such a display.

“Can you place it on school property? Yes. Should you? The risk is that it is considered an attractive nuisance and has the capacity to lure children,” said Powers.

Lois Vulpis a volunteer at the museum who presented the plan believes it would help to beautify that area of the school. "There is a lot of maritime history in our town. We are optimistic and hopeful that the board will approve it," said Vulpis.

The only concern raised by those present at the Tuesday night meeting were any costs that might be associated with the display. An audience member questioned if any fees were being paid to the lawyer who was present at the meeting. Powers answered that there was no charge for his services regarding the boat.

The upkeep of the boat would be funded by the museum, which is housed in several lower floor classrooms of the school. No budget money would be used, according to Vulpis.

The tugboat would be on the side of R.J.O. facing Church Street. The plan is for it to be tucked in and not block the view of the buses.

“It presents an inherent risk,” said Powers. “The district must take foreseeable measures.” Some of the measures that were mentioned included having the boat placed in a secure foundation and not on a trailer, removing the motor and removing the glass from the vessel’s portholes. Powers also recommended a no entry sign be placed by the boat and that a fence was necessary.

School board trustee, Steve Weber, requested that representatives of the museum bring a plan to the next board of education meeting on how those concerns will be addressed.

Other questions brought up by the board included who would maintain the boat and who would insure it.

Vulpis said much of the maintenance would be through volunteers including Boy Scout and Eagle Scout projects.

“This is a structure made of wood,” said school superintendent Dr. Susan Agruso. “It needs to be more than an Eagle Scout project to maintain it.”

The board plans on visitng the boat before the next school board meeting on March 22.