>In a bone chilling display of the immeasurable power local philanthropist and real estate magnate David Bolger commands, Village Council member Jacques Harlow was publicly rebuked this evening by Mr. Bolger’s attorney, Thomas Wells when Harlow suggested that Council members should have input regarding architectural and engineering plans related to the Bolger funded Pease Library renovation project.
Attorney Wells brashly informed Councilman Harlow, Mayor David Pfund, and Deputy Mayor Betty Wiest that Mr. Bolger was “calling the shots” with respect to the renovation project, and that “Mr. Bolger’s preference” was to deal with one individual (Village Manager James Ten Hoeve) and not the entire Council.
The only response to Wells’ tirade was calmly made by Pfund, who conceded that it indeed might be beneficial to both sides if Mr. Ten Hoeve acted as the Village’s “point person.” However, he politely informed Wells that Council members would be providing input on the project via Ten Hoeve, and expressed his view that further project updates would be presented to the entire Council during future open public meetings.
Needless to say, Wells did not appear pleased by the Mayor’s remarks, and stated several times during the course of his project update presentation that he was “personally tasked by Mr. Bolger to speed the process along,” and asked for the Council’s assistance in removing as many bureaucratic roadblocks as possible (including a expedited Planning Board review of architectural and site plans).
The Fly was left with the distinct impression that Mr. Bolger wants a contractual funding agreement and all project plans reviewed, signed, and approved prior to the new Village Council’s investiture on July 1.