The Great Pavement Set-up Caper

It could only happen in North Greenbush where the political machinations have become so contorted that paranoia has set in to many of the players. The war between the Reform Democrats and Mark Premo has reached the point where reform operatives such as Town Clerk Connolly are trying to set Premo up for political attacks.

This episode involves a road, Ridgewood Rd, which the town has not yet taken over and cannot legally pave. The town clerk has been desperately attempting to convince Premo to pave it with Highway Funds providing all means of excuses as to why it would be proper. At the same time, Premo’s political adversaries, including the town clerk, have been busy spreading the word that Premo intends to pave the road with town funds, in fact, has already paved the road with town funds, so they can use it against him in a campaign.

Caught in the middle are residents who have been poorly served by our town employees who have done nothing to professionalize the town offices, especially by demanding code updates that would require developers to escrow funds for such road construction before they get building permits. Developers have had it easy in North Greenbush and are used to a cozy relationship with Building Department folks who lack a town board appointed supervisor to manage them. Two efforts to give them supervision have met with failure for which the Supervisor takes credit and the Town Board the blame for not acting decisively against the Supervisor and his union.

Playing politics with these homeowners will only backfire once they learn what is going on and you can be sure they already know the details. It’s this same kind of nonsense that appears to be taking place at the 4 and 43 intersection where heavy equipment has been hurried into place with the involvement of the Supervisor and town engineer, again behind the backs of the town board. They appear determined to get digging done for the still unresolved mall which has been stalled for some time at that location.

At the prior Board meeting a resolution was passed 3-2 with Evers naturally against it, to require the developer to pay all GEIS fees the town incurred in connection with the project before the Building Department can issue a permit. That can’t legally be soon because the Town Board has not yet decided on how that fee is calculated.

Help in the form of a calculation came from Mary Beth Slevin, the attorney for Nigro Companies which started the project and has since sold the development rights. She faxed in some goodies to the Supervisor last month which will suit the developers just fine but which may sell out town taxpayers.No, he has not shared it with the town board majority.

Evers has been busy trying to get the project built by going around the laws and the majority of the town board which is how he has operated since taking office. We won’t mention the 180 degree about face on his campaign pledges and platform.

Now however he has new company beside running mate Lou Desso, who ran as a blank check development candidate on the GOP side, against Evers and Kern in 2005. That company comes from the so called “Reform Democrats, Al Spain, Kathryn Connolly, Kyran Devery and developer turned Highway Superintendent Candidate, Michael Carey.

Have a seat folks, this is shaping up to be a real circus!