Cochecton extends shelter demolition bids

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Town of Cochecton has restarted its process of contracting the demolition of three unsafe buildings on Pinewood Road to avoid any perception of impropriety, Supervisor Sal Indelicato said following a July 28 meeting of the town board.

The complication began at the regular July 14 meeting, at which point the board had only received one bid for the demolition of Victorian Mattison’s buildings, one of which Mattison currently lives in.

The sole $50,000 bid was submitted by Michael Attianese, Cochecton’s dog control officer.

Actually, it came from Attianese’s son, who owns Storm Trucking of Staten Island.

“I presented the bid and thought I could serve as a character reference,” Attianese said after the meeting.

“I told them I want something to be done with the property. This has been going on since January. I either want him [Victorian Mattison] to fix the buildings like he’s supposed to or I want the town to do their part,” Attianese said.

“There might appear to be some collusion between the town board and one of its employees. We decided to reject and rebid,” Indelicato said.

Mattison was granted a period of two-and-a-half months to repair and make the buildings safe. His deadline is August 31.