Second Time Around

I was amused to see Mayor Paul Pontieri, his new Deputy Mayor Krieger, and Tritec’s Rob Loscalzo in a Newsday photo taking credit for saving the Carnegie Library.

Tritec and the Mayor a $1,000,000.00 taxpayer grant to move the Carnegie Library, and they promised to do so as part of the original Tritec plan for the Four Corners. That plan also called for a hotel, tier parking and owner occupied units. Those positive aspects of the original plan were replaced with 291 rental units in the heart of Patchogue. The Mayor and Tritec recently tried to back out of moving the library, claiming that it was structurally unsound to move. 

When that sales pitch failed to garner support with the Village Board and residents, they declared that Tritec was willing to move the library, but that they were concerned that taxpayers couldn’t afford to maintain the building after it was moved. 

This is the same Mayor who which will exceed $1,000,000.00 to the taxpayer, and who gave away a $150,000.00 dollars of taxpayer money in the form of an interest free loan to Artspace.  

I found it ironic that a was called to announce that Tritec and the Mayor are promising (for a second time) to move a library they already promised (once before) and were obligated (according to the terms of the grant) to move. 

Perhaps it is newsworthy when Tritec and Mayor Pontieri keep one of their promises related to the Four Corner’s project.  For me, I’ll believe it when I see it.  

Editorial Note: The grant to move the Carnegie Library is solely Tritec's and does not involve Patchogue Village, as can be referenced . As per its conditions, Tritec does not receive money from the grant until it completes all aspects of the agreement, and will only receive money equal to the cost of completing its agreement up to $1 million. Any additional cost comes from Tritec itself. The grant also includes other aspects of the completion of the New Village project.

Patchogue Village Trustee Lori Devlin sent to Patch the following words from the grant in question:

“Downstate Revitalization Capital Grant – W987 a) amount $1,000,000 b) Use of funds: Reimbursement for a portion of capital expenses related to the construction of a mixed-use, transit–oriented project consisting of office, retail and rental apartments. c) Requirements: Funds will be disbursed in a lump sum upon project completion, as evidenced by attainment of a certificate of occupancy or other documentation verifying project completion as ESD may require, and documentation verifying project expenditures of at least $8,000,000.” 

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