Town of North Salem moves to add a pavilion to Joe Bohrdrum Park

The Town of North Salem is taking steps to add a 20’ x 40’ open pavilion at Joe Bohrdrum Field Park in North Salem. The pavilion would be stationed near the children’s playground at the park.

“For families trying to get some work done while the kids are playing, or wanting to sit down and rest or eat, it will give them a place to go, relax, get out of the rain and use WiFi,” said Town Supervisor Warren Lucas.

Last week, the Town Board authorized, at the request of the Town building inspector, the creation of an engineering estimate. The Town will likely go out to bid once the plans are in hand, Lucas said.

Plans to add a pavilion at the park date back to 2018, when Recreation Advisory Committee members Lauren Rosasco, John Varachi and Andy Pelosi worked together to request the addition. The pandemic ultimately stalled progress. Current Rec Department liaison and Town Council member Martin Aronchick and Deputy Town Supervisor Peter Kamenstein have been working recently to move the project to completion.

The Town was allocated $100,000 for the project from Senator Pete Harckham, through the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) Grant program. “Once we have an estimate for the pavilion, we will begin the approval process, which entails submitting an application to Senate Finance. The application is then sent to the Dormitory of the State of New York for review, approval and grant administration,” said Janine Kourokas, chief of staff to Supervisor Lucas. Kourokas noted that the grant is a reimbursement grant, which means that the Town will need to pay for the project upfront, and then submit for reimbursement. The project must be approved before any funds are spent.