DOI: INVESTIGATE MOUNT MANRESA PERMITS!!!
On Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 , the Department of Investigation (DOI) announced the arrests of over 50 people for charges related to bribery and corruption within the NYC Department of Building and Housing Development. Many defendants were alleged to conspire to whitewash violations, and help builders jump the line on inspections. Six of those charged are Staten Island residents.
As we reported on Monday, the Savo’s have received demoltion permits again. This was disturbing even before we knew about the arrests. We continue to ask How did the Savo Brothers get permits with all the irregularities at this site? Something doesn’t smell right. Please see my letter below to Borough President Oddo.
The “stench” that has surrounded Mount Manresa and their permits calls us to push the Department of Investigation (DOI) to take a much closer look at Mount Manresa. And most important, there should be a STOP WORK ORDER at the site and a moritorium on permits until a full investigation has done.
We have already been exposed to Asbestos due to false paperwork and rubberstamping. How much more do we have to take?
We need your help to raise the red flag of alarm. Please continue to write to our elected officials and the Staten Island Advance about the issues we face with the irregularities which has allowed permits. We need EVERYONE to speak up. Please start writing today! Thank you for your support.
The Committee to Save Mount Manresa
Dear Borough President Oddo,
It appears on the DOB website that the Savo Brothers have been issued the demo permits. Last we heard from the DEP, they had not checked the site themselves for asbestos and again are relying on a report from the Certified Asbestos Inspector that the Savo Brothers hired. This is incredibly troubling.
The required documents to show asbestos abatement are not posted on the DOB site.
Furthermore, the DEP has refused to require any air quality monitoring around the site, despite the fact that there are homes within 50 feet of the buildings and that it was stated by the DEP that there may still be asbestos in the foundation of the building. I have been told neighborhood air quality monitoring has actually been done at other demo sites and this is not an unreasonable request being made for the safety of the community.
Once again we are questioning the rubber stamping that has been allowed at Mount Manresa. We believe the DOI must be called in to investigate further. Based on the experience we have already have had with the Self-Certification on the site, I don’t understand how a self certified architect can permitted at Mount Manresa. Was it not the responsibly of the self certified architect Calvanico to verify the documents that Paul and Gaspare Santoro submitted concerning the asbestos abatement in order for the Savo Brothers to get the permits? How could an architect with over 40 years experience allow these falsified documents to be submitted? Mount Manresa is clearly too large project for Self Certification.
An architect has reviewed the demo plans we have FOILED from the DOB for Mount Manresa and feels strongly that the documents that Calvanico submitted are not sufficient for a demo project of this magnitude.
Furthermore, we reported and photographed many OSHA violations when the demo commenced back in September and during the tree massacre, which resulted in the Fire Department having to come to the site. There are too many residents (over 200 surround this site and many are within 50 feet) that can be put at risk. The self certification rights for this site should be revoked immediately.
I would like information on the PRIMARY SAFTEY Manager who is required as required by the NYC Building Code 3306.9.8.2. This was not information provided in any of the documents we have found or FOILED.
Borough President Oddo, our committee absolutely agrees with you that no activity should be permitted on the site until a full investigation has been done. Based on the continued irregularities concerning the permitting at the Mount Manresa site, I hope you will be able to reinforce this message.
Thank you in advance for your concern.
Barbara Sanchez Secretary of The Committee to Save Mount Manresa savemanresa.org 917-428-8177