Village Approves Emergency Repairs to LFD Training Tower

The Village has moved forward to repair the Lindenhurst Fire Department's training tower in Firemen's Park that was damaged by a private contractor working for the Village to remove debris following Hurricane Sandy in October.

A dump truck operator with All Island Plumbing, Incorporated, of Holbrook, damaged the tower when failed to lower the bed of truck. Officials said it happened in the past few months since Sandy hit the Village.

"It was a contractor - one of the hauling companies - working after Sandy, and unfortunately the driver drove into the platform area of the training center at Firemen's Park," Village Administrator Shawn Cullinane said after the April 16 Village Board meeting where trustees approved a resolution to move forward immediately with emergency repairs.

Part of the resolution indicated an engineering inspection was conducted and a report was issued by Glen Cove-based KD Engineering.

The firm, the resolution read, determined "the tower, in its current damaged condition, cannot be safely used for fire department or other public activities, must be cordoned off from public access and must undergo substantial repair immediately."

To get the repairs done by the Village's designated date of May 15 - ahead of the LFD's drill season - and the LFD back to being able to train and practice at the facility at Firemen's Park, the normal competitive bidding process has been suspended under the advisement of the New York State Comptroller's office.

As a result the emergency repair contract has been given to G.A. Chivvis Corporation in Copiague at a cost of $92,310.

The Village will then also seek funding for this emergency repair through the insurance company of the private contractor who damaged the tower.

"We'll be going after the insurance company of the contractor, Cullinane added.

All Island has been working as a private contractor for the Village for a while in various capacities such as performing Sandy debris removal and snow removal.

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