By Meg Morgan Norris

A Nassau County advisory committee has recommended that St. Paul's school be given a $300,000 grant towards the removal of lead paint and asbestos from the lower level of the main building as well as the demolition of Ellis Hall. The money would be allocated under the $100 million environmental bond issue that was approved by county voters in 2006.

The grant was applied for by the Village of Garden City, at the behest of the Committee to Save St. Paul's (CSSP). According to Maureen Traxler, communications director for CSSP, it was originally drafted by Paul Rabinovitch of Canus Corporation, which CSSP had proposed as the developer of St. Paul's.

Mrs. Traxler said that although the Village had not applied for funds under the second round of grants from another funding source, the RestoreNY program, a third round may take place if funding is still available. The RestoreNY program is sponsored by the Empire State Development Corporation. Mrs. Traxler said it is her understanding that the different levels of government look favorably on projects that are receiving multiple governmental grants.

"Award of funds under the Environment Bond project is important to the village and St. Paul's going forward, and CSSP hopes that they remain vigilant to such opportunities," she said.