Gifts of up to $100,000 from Adirondacks for Kids and $50,000 from county will help buy new chilling vessel; KOA Tupper is third donor with funds to fix existing device for this season

by Dan McClelland

Representatives of the Malone-based Monette family which owns a host of commercial enterprises in the North Country including a new fuel franchise in Tupper Lake and the Franklin County Legislature were in town Monday to pledge up to $150,000 in support for the school district’s effort to replace the broken chilling vessel that makes ice at the civic center.

A third donation of $60,000 to fix the device for now came this week from KOA Tupper Lake, the newly renovated campgrounds at Moody.

According to Superintendent of Schools Jaycee Welsh, “Tupper Lake Central School District is so grateful to announce these three recent donations to assist with the repairs of our current chilling vessel and to assist in purchasing a new, brine, chilling vessel for the future use in our civic center.

Currently, a company from the Rochester area, Mollenberg-Betz, is working on the retubing process which has been made possible by a generous donation from KOA Tupper Lake, she reported in a press release yesterday.

The county government’s gift came through its economic development and tourism agency, headed by Phil Hans. That money like the Adirondack for Kids foundation sum from the Monette family will go towards the purchase of a new chilling vessel for the civic center.

Chairman Edward Lockwood, who came in two roles Monday as both Adirondack Energy’s director of operations and county legislator stated in the county’s commitment letter, “We are proud to support this project, which will not only enhance the functionality of the area but also strengthen Tupper Lake’s position as a regional destination for sports and recreation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on our community and our youth.”

Mrs. Welsh said the biggest donation Tupper Lake Central School District is honored to receive comes from Adirondack for Kids Foundation.

“We are “proud to support the hockey arena at Tupper Lake Central School”, wrote Nancy Monette in her foundation’s commitment letter.

Representatives of Franklin County government and Monette family members associated with Adirondack for Kids foundation were both onsite Monday at the Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center to meet TLCSD staff and tour the arena.

“Tupper Lake Central School District is incredibly grateful and appreciative of the support,” stressed the school superintendent. “Progress with the chilling vessel wouldn’t be possible without these incredible organizations and their significant contributions.

A group of nearly 20 people were on hand to inspect the broken element of the arena’s ice-making system and view many of the school district improvements that have made the local arena the showpiece of the region.

Arena Manager Sean Auclair took the half dozen Monette family members, the half dozen county legislators and school district staff on the half-hour tour.

Representing the Monette family and its varied business interests were Brian, Bruce Jr., Nate Monette and Nancy Monette, president of Adirondack for Kids Foundation, the Monette family’s charitable arm and manager of Adirondack Energy’s ten Mountain Marts in area communities across a three-county region.

Mountain Marts are situated in Plattsburgh, Ellenburg, Chateaugay, Malone, Massena, Brushton, Potsdam and Canton.

When the brothers speak of their businesses they refer to them as “The Adirondack Family of Businesses,” explained Nancy Monette.

The family also owns a waste business and Mo’s Pub and Grill, where county auctions are often held.

The Monette brothers also own Titus Mt. in Malone.

Adirondack for Kids Foundation and its mission statement “Kids Matter Most,” has committed up to $100,000 “to make sure this happens this year,” Mrs. Monette explained during the tour. That money will go to the purchase and installation of a new chilling vessel at the finish of this year’s skating season, as well the county’s donation of $50,000.

One of the three Monette brothers, Brian, headed the family delegation to Tupper that morning. Brothers Bruce and Chris Monette weren’t able to attend. Also from the family was Bruce Monette Jr., Bruce and Nancy’s son and Nate Monette.

Representing Adirondack Energy Corp. from Tupper Lake’s new branch was Rick Reandeau.

The Adirondack for Kids foundation works closely with the Lake Placid-based Adirondack Foundation, whose local giving is often-occuring and abundant.

Representing the county government were Legislators Nedd Sparks, Andrea Dumas, who was also representing Senator Dan Stec at the event, Edward Lockwood, Saranac Lake’s Lindy Ellis and County Manager Donna Kissane. Mr. Sparks lobbied his fellow lawmakers for the needed money. With the county delegation was Phil Hans, director of the county tourism agency through which the county donation came.

Representing the school district were Superintendent Jaycee Welsh, Business Manager Jessica Rivers, Kris Brunette from Schoolhouse Construction Co., the district’s construction consultants which are currently guiding another capital improvement project, Civic Center Manager Sean Auclair, Tom Proulx, civic center co-founder and Shauni Kavanagh, school district clerk.

The half-hour tour included visits to the Phil Edwards community room- completed in the district’s past capital project five years ago, to the new dehumidification system, installed ahead of schedule this summer as part of the current building program and finally to the refrigeration room, where the 20-foot long leaking chilling vessel is situated.

The Monette family started in business in December, 1988 by the eldest brother, Bruce Monette and his father, Bruce.

They started in Malone as a fuel oil company, with just a single truck, noted Nancy.

Brian, who has a degree in accounting, joined the firm after he finished college and the youngest brother, Chris, joined later when he finished his education.

“They’ve been working together ever since,” Mrs. Monette noted.

The brothers’ parents owned and operated Malone Dairy for years, where they processed milk.

The first Mountain Mart store, the brothers actually built the structure. Nancy noted that all of their businesses’ logos feature the mountains and the sun.

Nancy drove down from Malone herself that day, so she could spent some time at Tupper Arts on Park St.- a place she said she has heard so many wonderful things about.

In the past year the family’s Adirondack Energy has supported the Tupper Lake Hockey Association, the Tupper Lake Youth Archers, several events for the Tupper Lake Adult Center and others.

During the years when ARISE volunteers ran Big Tupper Ski Center the Monette brothers were very generous in support of that community effort with fuel and other donations.