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On park work, Charlie’s an angel

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO
Southold IGA owner Charles Reichert has donated the cost of repairs to the gazebo at Silversmith’s Corner in Southold.

Silversmith’s Corner is a Southold hub, a place where the community gathers for concerts on Wednesday evenings and for a break from afternoon shopping.

So when Charles Reichert, who owns the IGA across the street from the park, heard earlier this summer that the roof of the gazebo in the park was in need of repairs that would have to wait until next year due to the town’s tight budget, he quickly donated the $9,500 necessary to do the work.

“I feel it’s very important for businesses in Southold to give back to Southold. When I saw that the town didn’t have the money I thought that I should help,” he said. “I understand it’s very important to the town, with the concerts in the summer.”

Southold Department of Public Works director Jim McMahon said this week that the town has already arranged for carpenter Scott Boger — who recently did siding work on a building at the town’s Laurel Lake Preserve — to replace the gazebo roof.

Construction on the four-day job is set to begin as soon as this week, he said, and will be scheduled so that the grounds are clean and ready for the next installment of the Summer Showcase Concert Series.

“It was certainly a great gift to us. It certainly wasn’t in the 2010 budget,” said Mr. McMahon.

Mr. McMahon said that the gazebo was built between 15 and 20 years ago, and that its cedar shingle roof had a lifespan about that long.

“We had gone down there periodically and replaced spindles and every year we’ve gone down there when there’s been vandalism to try to fix what’s broken pretty quick,” he added. “It’s not in terrible condition, but it does need attention. It’s weathered. It’s about at the end of its normal lifespan. That area is kind of shaded and if that cedar roofing gets wet it will begin to get mold and start cracking.”

Mr. McMahon estimated that the entire roofing job will take three to four days.

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