Last week’s South Shore Press story exposing $6.8 million in cost overruns at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library elicited a statement by Board of Trustees President Joseph Maiorana and a storm of posts on community Facebook pages as residents voiced both support for the library and question the overspending.
In a library issued statement, Maiorana stated South Shore Press' reporting of "the $6.86 million figure is accurate" but charged that the reporting on this fact “did a disservice to its readers”. According to the board president, “In reality, ‘overruns’ are not the issue here at all. Since the adoption of the bond in December, 2019, the increase in library’s construction spending has been almost entirely attributable to the unanticipated need to address emerging issues, and not to ‘overruns.’” He continued "You haven’t committed a ‘cost overrun’ if you suddenly run into problems no one could have foreseen. You’re not overspending on known costs; you’re spending on new needs.” “This is an entirely common practice that aligns with standard budget policy in hundreds of library districts, school districts, and fire districts across Long Island.”
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| Board of Trustees President, Joseph A. Maiorano File Photo |
According to library officials, the price tag to build two branches and renovate the main library soared 25% due to COVID-related supply chain issues, inflation, and structural deficiencies discovered when they opened up the walls of the William Floyd Parkway facility. In addition, the library failed to include upgraded sanitary systems in the original design as required by the county and adequate sprinkler systems. Spending also skyrocketed after the library board and director Kerri Rosalia added various new components to the project, hiking the overall cost to $33.5 million. Voters had approved the borrowing of $22.69 million for the capital work in 2019, with another $4 million coming from reserve funds.
There was no statement given by the Library or its Board as to why the 6.86 million dollar figure was not disclosed to the public or the press prior to the Budget and Board vote held April 4.
Local resident Charles Voelger in support of the Library board and its overruns said, “The South Shore Press is a disgusting rag that does nothing but push its disturbing agenda of s&^%ty politics.”
Further commenting AnneMarie Leonardi said, “Maybe South Shore Press will print your statement...But I doubt it."
“Every project has unforeseen costs. Some serious,” said Matthew Greiner commenting on Maiorana’s statement on Facebook. “Those potential costs should have been factored into the original plan. To not do so is irresponsible and a failure of those in charge. You’re arguing semantics over the definition of ‘overrun’ but the bottom line remains the same. The taxpayer will wind up paying more than originally told.”
Greg Von Brook posted: “If it's $1 over you should resign. These upgrades were jammed down our throat repeatedly. Now we're gonna pay even more. Tired of the bs.”
In a Facebook exchange the library responded to concerned local resident Dawn Hall Zilavy saying “It was not on the front page of the newsletter because it's NOT NEWS! The South Shore Press is engaging in yellow journalism that only serves to divide the community. The construction project is proceeding along nicely and the current financial imbalance will be rectified by a combination of value engineering, cut-backs on aesthetic features, government and foundation grants, and monies from the capital reserve fund. The impact to taxpayers remains an estimated $7 per month for the average home assessed at $1,995.”
Dawn Hall Zilavy's reply “Sorry, sounds like a coverup to me.”