Community Corner

Updated: Town Hall-Abrams Swap Off The Table

The Board of Education voted 5-2 in favor of abandoning a proposal to move in to the building at 100 Main Street. The town confirmed they are abandoning the plan, as well.

A building swap between the Jack Abrams Intermediate School and Town Hall has formally been taken off the table by the Huntington Board of Education.

The members voted 5-2 in favor of that with trustees Elizabeth Black and John Paci voting against it.

Friday, the Town announced that it, too, is stopping efforts although its consultants, H2M Group, had completed a feasibility study. The study concluded the exchange would have cost approximately $11 million.

At the urging of architect Roger Smith of Patchogue-based BBS Architects and Engineers, the board needed to make a decision whether it would continue to pursue that possible plan of action, as well as leasing the former Touro Law School building which was also the former Robert A. Toaz Junior High School.

"We toured those buildings and they were wonderful tours but you don't own them and you have a problem and a solution is at hand," Smith said, adding that the board has until August 23 to decide if it wants to pursue that avenue or else he won't be able to make it available for use as a school by the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. "If you really believe there is a Town Hall deal, it has to be happening tomorrow."

Board President Bill Dwyer said that he didn't feel that a swap with Town Hall was realistic but that a possible lease of the former Robert A. Toaz Middle School should be investigated further.

Paci said that he felt that if the board took Town Hall off the table, it would be allowing Supervisor Frank Petrone to continue to ignore the safety issues.

"Once again, we're giving Frank Petrone the easy way off the hook," he said.

In the letter to Dwyer and the rest of the board, Petrone said that the town would "continue to be partners with the school district in ensuring the safety of the students at Jack Abrams Intermediate School. You have our commitment that we will stand together to continue the enhanced presence of the Suffolk County Police Department at JAI."

Trustee Christine Bene said that it had nothing to do with Petrone, but rather the configuration of Town Hall.

"It's just common sense," she said. "There's no cafeteria. There's no kitchen or gymnasium. That would cost us big money and if we're going to do that, I'd rather see a building built."

Trustee Kim Brown said that the Board of Education needed to hold the Town Board accountable in different ways and said she felt some progress was being made.

"Listen, [Councilman] Mark Cuthbertson held a code-enforcement summit. That's never happened," she said.

Christine Bene said that the swap would be very expensive and not result in an optimal situation.

Trustee Rich McGrath said he agreed that Town Hall is not realistic but that he a building committee is not efficient.

"I'm not optimistic because there's five million variables and the problem is the 700 kids at Woodhull. I would like to take the money we have in the [capital reserve fund] and make Woodhull a place that can truly house 700 kids," she said.

Some parents told the board they still had major concerns with safety and whether the board is truly listening to the community.

"Safety is the issue," said Laura Mills, adding that Superintendent John Finello himself said that the area around the Jack Abrams Intermediate School is not safe. "Two grades have moved out. Sixth grade is still here.  You didn't solve anything."

Kevin Arloff agreed and said that only Paci continued to speak about safety. 

Finello said that he has seen a vast improvement. "There's no question in my mind its 180 degrees from " he said. 

In his letter to Dwyer Petrone said the town is still very committed to its revitalization plans.

"I want to make it very clear that your decision to abandon this idea will not in any way diminish or change the Town Board's continued commitment to revitalize Huntington Station,"

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