The bitter exchange between Chair Howard Phillips and County Legislator Lon Hofstein over the "excessive" spending on the animal shelter project has been a hot topic. This project, which involves a $18 million bond issue to purchase an empty warehouse and convert it into an animal shelter, has seen costs balloon from the initial $7 - $8 million estimate to the current $18 million. The former Solid Waste Management Authority took over animal management in 2022 and awarded a contract to O'Connor Company for the construction. However, concerns have been raised about the location, accessibility, and potential environmental issues of the new shelter.

Unraveling the Controversy of the Rockland Green Animal Shelter Project

Cost Escalation and Misrepresentations

Rockland Green initially represented to the County Legislature that the shelter could be built for $7 - $8 million in 2022. But now, the costs have skyrocketed to $18 million. The misrepresentation of the square foot cost for the shelter is also a point of contention. O'Connor Company, the contractor, was the second lowest bidder at $90,000 higher than the lowest. The firm has an extensive building portfolio but has never built an animal shelter before. This project shows how Rockland Green has a history of grossly underestimating the cost of its projects, as seen in the Material Recovery Facility in Hillburn. 1: The cost escalation is not just a matter of numbers. It reflects a lack of proper financial planning and oversight. The county had worked on a plan to build a new facility with a combination of funds, but Rockland Green's actions led to a change in direction and an increase in costs. The taxpayers are now burdened with a higher tax levy to support the shelter operation, which has increased by 28.5 percent over three years. 2: The misrepresentation of costs also raises questions about the transparency and accountability of Rockland Green. The board should have been more accurate in their initial estimates and should have provided a clear financial plan to the County Legislature. This lack of transparency has led to mistrust and criticism from County Legislator Lon Hofstein and others.

Location and Environmental Concerns

The new animal shelter is located in a remote section of the Village of West Haverstraw, not easily accessible by major roads. It is also in a FEMA-designated flood zone and close to the Joint Sewer Regional Authority, which emits bad odors. There is a proposed 24/7 trucking warehouse a stone's throw away on a former construction landfill site that leaches heavy metals in the water table beneath the new shelter site. None of these concerns have been studied publicly under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). 1: The location of the shelter poses significant challenges for both the animals and the staff. The lack of accessibility makes it difficult for people to visit and adopt animals. The environmental issues raise concerns about the health and well-being of the animals and the staff. It is important that these issues are addressed before the construction is completed. 2: The failure to conduct a proper environmental review is a serious oversight. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation should be involved in assessing the potential risks and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to protect the environment. The residents of the area also have a right to know about these potential risks and to have a say in the decision-making process.

Project Disputes and Legal Battles

Rockland Green's takeover of animal management led to a legal battle with Hi Tor Animal Shelter. Rockland Green sued Hi Tor for breach of contract, and Hi Tor filed a counterclaim. The legal wranglings have stretched for months and have continued to burden taxpayers with legal costs. In addition, Rockland Green has been involved in other legal issues, such as ratcheting up legal costs in its battles and facing challenges with its bond debt. 1: The legal disputes between Rockland Green and Hi Tor have created a lot of uncertainty and tension. The taxpayers are caught in the middle, having to pay for the legal battles and the increased costs of the shelter project. It is important that these disputes are resolved quickly and fairly to avoid further financial and legal complications. 2: The legal issues facing Rockland Green also raise questions about the governance and management of the agency. The board should be more careful in its decision-making and should ensure that contracts are properly executed and disputes are resolved in a timely manner. The taxpayers deserve better management and accountability from Rockland Green.

Trevor Kilgore's life took a terrifying turn when he was buried alive in a trench collapse. The memory of those terrifying moments has haunted him ever since, leaving him with nightmares and insomnia. As his medical providers note, "all he sees is dirt." Kilgore was an employee of Edwards Enterprises, a subcontractor on a home development in Bondurant last year. On June 12, 2023, while working at the bottom of a trench to connect water and sewer lines, the excavation wall fell on him, covering him completely before rescuers could free him. In a lawsuit filed last week and first reported by KCCI-TV, Kilgore alleges that his injuries, including lingering post-traumatic stress, could have been avoided. He claims that his employer and several other companies working on the project ignored numerous state and federal safety regulations that would have protected him from "almost certain injury or death."

Key Safety Violations

The excavation of the 10- to 12-foot-deep trench failed to follow safety guidelines. It should have sloped down at 45 degrees or less depending on soil conditions, or been reinforced with shoring or boxes to prevent caving in. Kilgore's employer also failed to conduct mandatory inspections of the dig site, allowed workers to use heavy equipment up to the trench's edge in violation of regulations, and did not even have a ladder on site. A Bondurant firefighter had to provide one to help him climb out after being freed. 1: These safety violations are truly alarming. The lack of proper slope and reinforcement put Kilgore's life at extreme risk. Allowing heavy equipment near the trench's edge was a blatant disregard for safety protocols. And the absence of a ladder made it even more difficult for him to escape once the trench collapsed. Such negligence is unacceptable and could have had tragic consequences. 2: The fact that these violations occurred shows a serious lack of attention to safety on the part of the companies involved. It is the responsibility of employers and contractors to ensure the safety of their workers. By ignoring these regulations, they put not only Kilgore but also other workers at risk. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict safety measures on construction sites.

Legal Actions

The lawsuit names Gregg Edwards, owner of Edwards Enterprises, and a coworker who was steering an excavator at the lip of the trench when it collapsed as defendants. Kilgore is also suing Jerry's Homes, the developer and general contractor, and R&D Plumbing, the primary plumbing contractor for the project. Kilgore's attorneys declined to comment beyond the allegations in their complaint. An attorney for Edwards did not return a message seeking comment. Other defendants do not yet have attorneys listed. 1: The legal actions taken by Kilgore are a necessary step in seeking justice for the injuries he sustained. By naming the responsible parties, he is holding them accountable for their actions or inactions. It is important that these cases are thoroughly investigated and that the law takes its course to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. 2: The lack of response from some of the defendants' attorneys only adds to the complexity of the situation. It is crucial that all parties involved cooperate fully with the legal process to get to the bottom of what happened. Only then can appropriate measures be taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

Aftermath and Lessons Learned

When the trench wall gave way, Kilgore was able to fall in a way that maintained an air pocket he could breathe in, and fellow workers were able to free his head within minutes. But it took more than 30 minutes to completely free him and move him to an ambulance. He was transported to a hospital with injuries to his legs, head, shoulders, back, and hips. 1: The quick action of his fellow workers in freeing his head was a lifesaver. However, the delay in completely freeing him and getting him to medical attention highlights the need for better emergency response procedures on construction sites. Every second counts in such situations, and delays can have serious consequences. 2: This incident has taught us valuable lessons about the importance of safety on construction sites. It is not enough to simply have regulations in place; they must be enforced and adhered to. Companies need to take a proactive approach to safety and invest in the necessary equipment and training to prevent such tragedies from happening.