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Town Board Approves Resolutions For Downtown Revitalization, Germonds Park And TV Studio

Bonding for salt storage structure and drainage improvements authorized

Clarkstown Town Board members voted on Tuesday night to amend the agreement with Behan Planning Associates and Maser Consulting for design services in conjunction with the Main Street Revitalization Project. The original agreement provided for the professional planning, design and engineering consultants to be paid an amount not to exceed 14 percent of the total construction cost of the project or $2.4 million. 

The actual cost of Phases I and II and Congers Road work wound up being higher than anticipated, resulting in the consultants providing additional services. The amended agreement provides for the firms to receive a total payment of $2.6 million. The resolution also noted that according to an October 6, 2009 agreement, Rockland County was responsible for paying up to $2 million of the costs associated with the work on Congers Road. 

A second resolution approved by the board also dealt with Behan’s services for Phase III of the Revitalization Project. The firm, which has a New City office, submitted a proposal on June 29 “to provide construction administration and observation services.”  The board authorized the supervisor to enter into an agreement for those services that would cost no more than $290,000. 

Maser Consulting of West Nyack also received approval for up to $800,000 of construction administration services for Phase III of the project. Its proposal was dated May 31.

Additional funds to complete the Town Hall TV studio and records storage area were approved by board members.  They authorized Supervisor Alex Gromack to amend the agreement with Lorencin Contracting of New City and add $105,600 for additional shelving, lighting, ceiling repairs and carpeting and $16,991 to the contract with DCAK Architecture of Nyack for HVAC system modifications, structural modifications and specifications and consultation regarding the purchase of AV equipment. 

The resolutions state the fees are “within the budgeted amount for the project previously approved by the town board and shall be offset by the PEG grants from Verizon and Cablevision.

In response to a resident’s question about the opening of the TV studio, Gromack said he expected it would be put into use in 2013.

Contracts with the same two firms were modified for their work on the police department’s communications room.  DCAK’s agreement was amended for an additional $57,665 for design modifications while Lorencin’s was amending by $105,600 for change orders. 

The need for additional work at Germonds Park Ballfield cost the town approximately $12,000 more.   The board approved a change order for West-Con Contracting of Tuckahoe in the amount of $3,090 for additional drainage.  The firm’s initial bill for its field expansion work totaled $419,166 for bids approved in January and September 2011.

Paul Bitts Co. of New City and Yaboo Fence of West Nyack received payments of $7,400 and $1,500 respectively for correcting the water main and fencing.

Two bond resolutions gained approval. The resolution for $133,000 provides for the construction and installation of a salt storage structure. The resolution for $430,000 covers various drainage improvement projects in the town.

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Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.
Sunny May 16, 2013 at 03:50 pm
Is there an article on patch about it? I am unable to find except on lohud.com
Green Farmer May 15, 2013 at 08:23 pm
Finally!!
b May 15, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Thank God. It's been a long time coming. Finally someone has paid attention.!!! That man has gotRead More to go.
Watchdog May 16, 2013 at 04:37 pm
George, don't you have enough to do straightening out the affairs of Clarkstown. Overtime in theRead More Police Department is rampant and the Town Attorney is out of control. As Tom Nimick says, we need an outside auditor for that operation since taxpayers were abused with the hiring of a political operative Jay Savino who I understand is singing like a canary. Get on the right side George before the FBI comes a lookin" I hear that the Gromack war chest is the first place they are looking for clues. Do the right thing George or you will get trampled with the rest of them.
Tom Nimick May 15, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Congratulations, George. Now about your other responsibilities as a member of the Town Board withRead More primary oversight over budget and expenditures: Won't you be the one to propose the needed audit of the Office of Town Attorney? You know the problems exist - likely you know more about the problems than I do. It is sad to see you silent in the face of the abuse of patronage. When will we hear your voice on it?
Teacher May 16, 2013 at 07:24 am
The new format is attractive but it is hard to find the comments that go with stories.