Salvation Army adds a barracks
By Tim Gannon

RIVERHEAD - The Salvation Army will be expanding its presence in Riverhead soon, as the nonprofit agency is planning to open a counseling service in the former Lighthouse Counseling building on Osborne Avenue and Court Street.

A few weeks back the Salvation Army received a town Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) interpretation allowing it to use the building, and it's now in the process of purchasing the building from John and Marcella Walsh, said attorney Peter Danowski, who represented the Salvation Army in the ZBA case.

The Salvation Army has operated its thrift store in Riverhead for many years on East Main Street.

"Most people think of the Salvation Army as a furniture store, but in fact they offer a full range of counseling services," Mr. Danowski said. "The use at this site shouldn't be too much different from what Lighthouse was doing there."

The officers of the Salvation Army are ordained ministers, Mr. Danowski said. Because of that, the ZBA interpretation was needed only to determine whether Sunday worship services were permissible at the Osborne Avenue site, Mr. Danowski said. The ZBA ruled it was okay.

"They're not looking to operate a church there, but they may pray there on Sundays," Mr. Danowski said.