Migrant Children Assigned To Cottage School, Fulgenzi Ups Rhetoric

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY — News that a federal agency is sending 25 migrant children with emotional issues to the Pleasantville Cottage School infuriated Mount Pleasant Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi, who also accused the child-welfare agency of "brazen" duplicity over renovation work.

After hearing in the spring that migrant children "and possibly families" were headed to the Cottage School, Fulgenzi declared a state of emergency, one of many local officials who issued emergency declarations in case New York City targeted them with its plan to temporarily house in hotels upstate some of the thousands of asylum-seekers who have arrived in the city in the past year.

"The facts now speak for themselves," Fulgenzi said in a news release Monday, then added that the 25 migrant children to whom he was referring were directed to the facility by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is not part of the city administration.

The child welfare and mental health service provider serves New York’s most vulnerable children. The JCCA’s Westchester Campus was founded in 1912 as the Pleasantville Cottage School, a residential treatment program at 1075 Broadway with the first cottage-style center in the country. Family courts or mental health agencies typically send children there who have suffered abuse or neglect.

Mount Pleasant officials have repeatedly called this year for state officials to shut it down.

Fulgenzi said the information about the children was disclosed during a recent meeting at Town Hall with JCCA; New York State Office of Children and Family Services; State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky; town officials; and administrative staff for each agency.

However, he said, the information was provided "without warning or discussion."

Fulgenzi's news release also took issue with renovation work underway at the campus.

"The duplicity of the JCCA is astounding. The Town Building Department has recently issued multiple stop-work orders after inspectors found major renovation work underway on residential cottages at the property without permits for plumbing, electrical and other work. But it did not stop there. They also told us that a boring machine was being brought to the site. This, too, would require a permit. To date, none has been filed," he said.

"This brazen disregard for our community and the regulations that apply to all construction work is what we have come to expect from JCCA, and it will not be tolerated. Our building Inspector and Town Attorney were recently denied entry to the property when they went to inspect the construction, a further indication of the JCCA’s utter disregard for the community."

JCCA officials issued a statement in response to Fulgenzi's news release.

JCCA remains deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our clients, staff, and community. As such, workplace safety and regulatory compliance are among our highest priorities. Since the end of May 2023, JCCA has submitted multiple and frequent requests to meet with town leadership. Unfortunately, the first time they agreed to a meeting was late October. We continue to strive for a productive and collaborative working relationship with the Town of Mount Pleasant, and have never refused any Town official requesting reasonable access to our campus, including building inspectors or Town attorneys.

A JCCA spokesperson told Patch that no boring equipment was ever brought on campus.

Fulgenzi said since the JCCA had not complied with Town Building Codes, "on that basis alone we will object to any additional residents being allowed to enter the facility including migrant children." He also said the town will take legal action if necessary to see that "illegal work" on the site is stopped.

SEE ALSO:

• State Removes Most Troubled Children From Pleasantville Cottage School
• NY Senator: Child Mental Health Crisis Causing Crisis In Westchester
• Mt Pleasant Officials Want JCCA Campus Closed Over Dangerous Children