Putnam County legislators were briefed Tuesday after a storm significantly damaged a building the county had contracted to use for a new Early Learning Center. County officials said the building’s structural shell suffered major failure in the storm; the landlord’s insurer will cover reconstruction of the shell and county engineers will review the site.

The immediate concern is to maintain the September opening of the early learning program in an interim site while the damaged building is cleared and rebuilt. County staff explained the interim site will accommodate up to 40 students and allow the program to open on schedule; the damaged structure was intended for longer‑term occupancy.

County legislators approved a bookkeeping revenue transfer of $78,540 to the early learning project and a separate package of start‑up purchases for the interim space totaling $270,250. The transfer and purchase approvals were framed as start‑up costs for furniture, equipment and other items needed to open the interim facility in September. A motion to approve the revenue transfer passed with an aye vote; the purchase authorization for $270,250 also passed.

Several legislators raised safety and procurement questions. Some members reported seeing photos of a cinder‑block facade that had collapsed and pushed county officials to request a structural engineer’s report and additional details from the landlord and insurer. County staff said the town building department, county‑designated structural engineers and the state were involved in preliminary reviews and that the insurer’s adjuster was on site.

Officials said the landlord (CBS/Community Based Services) will manage the rebuild of the primary facility and that insurance proceeds should cover the shell replacement; the county will take possession of a rebuilt space when the landlord has delivered the completed facility. County staff noted the rebuild may delay full use of the larger facility beyond December and emphasized that the interim site will permit program startups and gradual increases in enrollment.

Legislators asked about contingency remedies, insurance, construction timeline, and whether the county is bound to the original lease terms; county counsel and the insurance adjuster were reported to be reviewing legal remedies. Officials promised weekly updates to the legislature as structural reports and insurance determinations come in. The county made clear the insurer — not taxpayers — is expected to pay for structural replacement; the county’s approvals covered only the interim startup needs.