Fifty children will continue to enjoy what Town of Wawarsing Terry Houck called a place that "enables children to be cared for in a safe and nurturing environment." Darlene Beiling, operator of Creative Stages Daycare in Napanoch, has been offered an amended contract with the town, which will allow her to rent the building on a month-to month basis while she makes payments of accumulated arrears in rent and payment in lieu of taxes (or PILOT). She will also keep current with the present rental agreement.

Beiling is responsible for maintaining the building and equipment, and the town is responsible for snowplowing and structural maintenance. "The only change (in the amended contract) is how much she pays each month and that's because she was behind," said Town Attorney William Collier.

The emotional testimony at previous town meetings from parents on the importance of the center to working parents and the quality of the care Beiling and her staff provide made Beiling and town officials eager to work together on a plan for the center's survival.

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