Greg Adams Ready for Return to Port Chester Village Board

Greg Adams says he was hoping his return to the Port Chester village Board of Trustees would be with fellow Democrat Dennis Pilla as mayor, but as he takes office at noon today Adams says he plans on doing his best to work with all trustees on the new board — including new Republican mayor Neil Pagano.

i'm looking forward to wroking with this board. unfortunately mayor pilla wanst re-elected, but I'll workt with neil pagano and we'll keep our best foot forward and we wnat to work for the benefit of the village.

"I'm look forward to working with this board," said Adams, who was one of the seven winners in the March 19 election. "Unfortunately, Mayor Pilla wasn't re-elected, but I'll work with Neil Pagano and we'll keep our best foot forward. We want to work for the benefit of the village."

Adams, a Democrat, served on the board from 2007 to 2010. He was elected to the new board along with fellow Democrats Luis Marino and Daniel Brakewood, both Democrats. With Pagano's election, fellow Republican Joseph Kenner and Conservative Saverio Terenzi were re-elected. Completing the board is new member Gene Ceccarelli, who was elected as an independent.

The new board takes office at noon today, with a swearing in ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Village Court, 350 N. Main St., followed by a 7 p.m. reorganization meeting.

Adams said he has a very good team behind him in his election effort, doing a lot of campaigning throughout the village and going door-to-door.

Adams credited his neighbors in his South Regent Street community for the support that got him back on the board. A key concern for those neighbors: The redevelopment of the closed United Hospital site. 

Residents throughout Port Chester have expressed concern over the hospital site, fearing owner Starwood Capital may try to create a development that is too dense for the area and brings in too many new residents who would stress village services - especially the already crowded Port Chester schools. A Starwood proposal introduced in 2012 looks at more than 800 residential units on the property along Boston Post Road.

Looking beyond the development proposal, Adams said a priority for him is making certain that when time comes to demolish the old hospital care is taken to protect the site's neighbors from construction debris and pollution that could come from any hazardous materials - such as asbestos - in the building.

"I would like for this village to be proactive, not reactive when it comes to the demolition of that hospital," Adams said.