Health Commish, PV Supervisor Clash Over Accusation of Official Misconduct
The bickering between Putnam County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Allen Beals and Putnam Valley Supervisor Bob Tendy that dates back almost a year exploded into an all-out war of words last week when Beals, a Putnam Valley resident, publicly accused Tendy of official misconduct.
In a shocking revelation, Beals acknowledged an ongoing lawsuit he filed against the Town of Putnam Valley last July that fights a dramatic spike in his property tax assessment for what he alleges is retribution by Tendy because the health department refused to open a town beach over safety concerns.
Beals, in a prepared statement, said after the county heath department closed Spur Beach last summer, he was dealt a $500,000 tax assessment increase despite there being no changes, modifications, or additions to the property in 14 years. Not only did he divulge an ongoing legal matter against the town, but he admonished board members for not knowing anything about it.
“Since allegations within the lawsuit claim that Mr. Tendy is using his position in an attempt to harass and intimidate me, why was the town board kept in the dark?” Beals said during the meeting.
In papers related to the tax protest, obtained by The Putnam Examiner, records indicate Beals home was assessed for $1,033,100 in 2013, but then that assessment was changed to $1,525,100 in 2014, which has led to the dispute. In a Notice of Petition filed with the Putnam County Clerk’s Office, defendants listed were the Board of Assessors, the Board of Assessment Review and Town Assessor Sheryl Luongo.
While the average Putnam Valley homeowner’s assessment went down 1.2 percent, Beals couldn’t explain why his assessment jumped 48 percent.
“It doesn’t pass the smell test,” Beals said.
The notice claims the assessment was erroneous because it exceeds the full value of the property and that the assessment is of higher value compared to surrounding properties. The notice of claim also states Beals was selectively reassessed and in violation of the Real Property Tax Law. The assessment increase is described as “grossly discriminatory and without adequate cause.”
But Tendy, who was not at the meeting last Wednesday because he was at a Putnam County Firearms Owner Association meeting, fired back against Beals, calling his comments “smear” and demanding an apology from Beals immediately.
“He accused my assessor and me of colluding to commit a crime,” Tendy, a Republican who is running for district attorney against current office holder Adam Levy, said. “I don’t mind people criticizing me, I’m a public figure, it goes with the territory but my assessor is not and as an attorney, Dr. Beals should know better than to make public statements when he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Tendy also said it’s not possible for the town to strike back against Beals because the assessment increase was delivered to Beals prior to Spur Beach closing. He said the work done related to the assessment on Beals’ home was done months before the controversy with Spur Beach erupted on Memorial Day weekend when the health department didn’t allow the beach to open.
Beals also tried to connect Tendy to the assessor’s office because he is the official liaison to that office, but Tendy said as liaison, he deals with budgetary issues, personnel issues, matters connected to the state, among other menial matters. Tendy said he doesn’t get involved in the day-to-day assessment claims.
Tendy also asserted Beals did not file a lawsuit as he claims at the meeting, but it was a Board of Assessment review claim that the town gets “by the boatload every year.” State Supreme Court Justice Victor Grossman is now handling that assessment review claim.
Tendy plans on sending a formal letter to Beals, the county executive’s office and the Putnam County Legislature’s office.
“And he’s totally, 100 percent wrong and the facts and the paperwork prove it,” Tendy said.
When asked to respond, Beals, who is an attorney that practiced law before taking is current post, clarified and said he personally warned Tendy over the winter last year that the town would receive no waivers and town beaches would not be issued permits if they did not follow proper code. Soon after, his increase arrived.
“After I had warned him, it was several weeks after that warning that I received an increase in my assessment, that’s a coincidence?” Beals questioned.
When asked if he plans on apologizing to Tendy, Beals laughed and replied no.
As for accusing town board members of not doing their job in having limited to no knowledge of the current legal fight and the accusation levied against the supervisor, Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor Jackie Annabi said the town board knows about the assessment appeal by Beals but typically don’t know the specifics of each tax claim case. Only three board members were at the meeting Wednesday, with Tendy absent and Councilman Louie Luongo also not present.
“I understand his frustration, but I think his frustration was in the wrong place,” Annabi said.
