Serving Port Washington, Manorhaven, Flower Hill, Baxter Estates, Port Washington North and Sands Point
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Friday, October 18, 2019
Vol. 4, No. 42
Port WashingtonTimes FORUM ON STATE CLIMATE CHANGE MEASURES
N. HEMPSTEAD TO BROADCAST PLANNERS
ASSESSMENT BILL OVERRIDE FAILS
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Work changes not disclosed: De Giorgio
T H E W R I T E W AY
Says board members kept in dark about Clinton Martin overruns BY R O S E W E L D ON No change orders for the problem-fraught Clinton G. Martin Park project were brought before the North Hempstead Town Board, according to Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio. The New Hyde Park public park and pool is the subject of a hotly contested legal case between the town and Wantagh-based contractor Gramercy Group. The town originally granted a contract to Gramercy in 2017 for a $19.4 million bid to renovate the then50-year-old park, which increased to $23 million once additional refurbishments and additions were built. In May, Public Works Commissioner Paul DiMaria, whose office oversaw the repairs, wrote in a letter to Gramercy that some work, including domestic water piping, the pool’s overflow system and a sump that was not connected to a drain, had not been completed on
time. The contractor replied in a letter that there were discrepancies between what was presented in the contract and what was present on site. Now, the town is withholding $1.3 million for what it considers unfinished business, and Gramercy Group is claiming an additional $1.5 million in unpaid debts, a conflict that will play out in Bankruptcy Court. DiMaria resigned from his post effective Oct. 4. De Giorgio, whose 6th District represents Port Washington, Plandome and Flower Hill among other areas and who was a lawyer prior to her public service career, said in an interview that she had asked the town attorney about the matter in a series of emails. “The fact that we’re in court means somebody dropped the ball somewhere,” De Giorgio said. “So I’m sure there’s plenty of blame to go around, but the fact that we’re Continued on Page 50
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRIDE IN PORT COMMITTEE
Essay contest winner John Alexander (center with plaque) with his father Don Alexander (2nd from left) and grandfather John (2nd from right) and Pride in Port co-chairs Barbara Faticone (far left) and Fred Pollack (far right). See story on page 51.
Fire chief’s brother added to state memorial for fallen BY R OB E RT PELAEZ Ray Plakstis Jr., the longtime member and former chief of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company, is one of three Nas-
sau County firefighters whose names will be added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial, according to a release from the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday. “New York’s firefighters
risk their lives every day, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice while running toward danger to protect the communities they serve,” Cuomo said at a press conference on TuesContinued on Page 19
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