Town Board Meeting Erupts Over Landfill Letter

Fireworks quickly developed at the Tuesday, May 2nd Town Board Meeting when Councilwoman Barbara Blass produced a remarkable letter pertaining to the Reclamation Project. It all started in the open discussion part of the meeting when Hal Lindstrom of Calverton began asking questions about the landfill, the original surveys and whether the public had ever been asked if they favored reclamation or capping. The Supervisor proceeded to review the current status and essentially the information that we have all become familiar with.

At that point Ms. Blass revealed that she had been given a letter dated January 2005 from Young & Young to David Cullen, the Reclamation Project Coordinator. The letter reported the status of the project up to that point (Jan 2005), the monies spent thus far (21 months and $17.2 million) and the projection for completion (another 27 months and $15.2 million). The conclusion was that the project was already into cost overrun by $3-5 million dollars. Here was an apparent warning, over a year ago, that the project was in trouble and should have sent up a red flag to everyone.

Both Ms. Blass and Supervisor Cardinale stated that neither had ever seen the letter although it was suggested by Ms. Blass that in fact it was Cardinale who actually requested this report. No one seemed to know why this letter was only surfacing at this time.

Mr. Cardinale went on to explain that a private firm has been assigned to review the project to verify the status and potential for completion. In addition an accounting firm will be asked to audit the expenditure of the project's funds.

Ed.Note: While the reported facts of the meeting are unchanged, there are some reports which say that the referenced letter indicates an "under budget" status (as of the Jan 2005 date) rather than a projected overrun depending on whether you are measuring expenditures against a $27 million dollar budget resolution or a $40 million dollar budget resolution. Stay tuned.

Meetings

Meet the Candidates (for School Board) May 3, Riverhead Library

Planning Board, May 4, 7:00 pm, Town Hall

School Board Public Hearing, May 9 (budget review)

Calverton Civic Assoc, May 10, Riley Ave School

School Board Budget Vote, May 16