Decision is likely on School Street house: Facilities plan underway

Town Engineer Joe Finora kicked off the discussion of the facilities master plan project at Tuesday’s Town Board Work session. The project is assessing existing Town-owned properties in terms of condition, use and potential use, which will reveal spaces to be acquired to meet the growing needs of the government and functions to serve residents.

In July, Mr. Finora accompanied consultants from Patchogue’s BBS Architects & Engineers on a tour of all the properties, gathering data to in order to compile a plan for how each building can meet specific needs.

To do that, the consultants will be speaking with all Town department heads to determine how they function in their current space and what shortfalls exist preventing them from being able to do their jobs more efficiently.

Having inspected, measured and gathered information about the condition of each building, they will be able to begin identifying whether there are conflicts that present themselves between Town Code and ways in which each building can best be used. They will be looking at mismatches from architectural and structural perspectives.

Mr. Finora will be putting together a list of services the Town offers and how spaces can be improved, such as accommodating gym equipment for the Recreation Department, or a commercial kitchen for the Senior Services Center.

Together, they will “align needs to create a giant jigsaw puzzle,” to overlay services with space, the consultants said.

Of particular concern for Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams is focusing on best uses for the house at 2 School Street that the Town won a bid to purchase. The consultants said the structure should remain a residence for one or two families. 

Before being able to assess costs of repairs and renovations, the Town will likely have to determine whether there can be money from the Community Housing Board (CHB), raising concerns from Councilwoman Liz Hanley. Some of the close to $2 million in the fund is being looked at for other purposes related to the 10 units of rental housing the CHB has been working to get built on three sites around the Island.

Before the consultants report with a full recommendation on use of the property, they want to re-visit the house. Initial analysis is the house should not be converted to office space because hallway accessibility is too narrow and door openings are not large enough for office use.

Ms. Hanley asked if there has been consideration of razing the structure. Mr. Finora maintained it makes sense to keep the house.

One way or another, it’s expected the first decision will be to deal with the 2 School Street house this fall while the rest of the facilities management plan comes together.