Thomas Polisi and Associates in Manhattan was hired last summer to examine the St. Paul's school building and provide a detailed report assessing the current status of the facility. As the Village looks at having to officially mothball it because of the lawsuit against the leasing of St. Paul's to CareMatrix (the assisted living facility), Polisi was charged with providing the municipality with insight into what needed to be done to keep the building in the best shape possible while remaining closed. While POA leaders toured the building earlier this month and shared concern about the appearance of the interior with the community, the Village officials tried to track down Polisi for word on the report.

Garden City Life called Polisi and Associates requesting time to speak with whomever was officially leading the study within the firm. After initially directed to Thomas Polisi, Sr., who was unavailable whenever contacted, Mark Powers of the firm called to say he was now working on the issue and drafting the report for the Village after considerable "phone tag." Powers when asked if he would share some of their findings or a comment on the progress of the report for the Village noted that he had to ascertain whether or not he was cleared to speak with the press. After several days of phone calls his assistant informed us that he had communicated via radio from outside the office that he would not speak to the press and all questions were being redirected to the Village.

Village officials and POA leaders reportedly were also attempting to reach Polisi for an update on the report. Many on the tour through the building have since expressed that they were shocked to see just how much water damage the interior has suffered as it stands empty in its limbo on Stewart Avenue. Conversation on the subject was beginning to raise concerns that the Polisi report was not forthcoming and that the building was in disrepair without a plan for maintenance.

Nick Episcopia of the EPOA rose during the Citizens' Comments at the conclusion of the Feb. 17 meeting of the Board of Trustees and asked about the status of the Polisi Report. Village Administrator Robert Schoelle was pleased to report that they had just heard from the firm and that they would be concluding the report in the first week of March, having it arrive in the Village shortly following the second week in March at the latest. Trustees and POA leaders noted that they were relieved to hear from Powers and that the report would be in the Village next month.