County Executive Addresses Wide Range of Issues at Local Summit Breakfast in Mamaroneck

By Nina Recio Cuddy

The winds and driving rain of Tuesday’s nor’easter did not deter a large crowd of interested citizens from attending the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit’s breakfast meeting with County Executive Robert Astorino on December 9 at Mamaroneck’s Nautilus Diner.

After brief initial comments, Astorino addressed his proposed budget, stating that he had been in negotiations with the County Board of Legislators, which was scheduled to vote on the budget later in the morning, and said he believed the budget would be adopted. (In fact, it was adopted that morning.) He said that, under his proposed budget, there would be no increase in County property taxes, telling the attendees that during his tenure in office there have been no increases, four freezes and one tax cut. He said his guiding principles are threefold: (1) promote economic growth, (2) preserve essential services, and (3) protect the taxpayer.

The budget, however, calls for borrowing to cover County pension costs and certioraris. The County expected to borrow $8 million for certioraris, but the final approved amount was $5 million. In addition, the County will go into the state amortization program for its pension obligations, deferring $15 million, which essentially becomes borrowed money. Counties must either pay the pension obligation in full or participate in the state amortization program. Astorino stated that, in an ideal world, he would not borrow for these programs but choosing not to borrow money would inevitably lead to lay-offs. The other alternatives would be to raise taxes or reduce services, a choice the County Executive has decided not to make.

The budget also includes over $200 million for capital projects. Audience members were particularly concerned over infrastructure improvements and maintenance, as some residents noted their concern about local flooding and road and bridge conditions.

Astorino agreed that improving our aging infrastructure is a priority, but he noted that every community has its own particular needs. He said that the County will play a role in partnering with local communities, but he expects each community to organize its priorities. He also said that he has asked that a one-time $5 billion bank settlement windfall be used exclusively for infrastructure repair and improvement, including sewers, roads, bridges and flooding remediation, as well as to cover some of the cost of the Tappan Zee Bridge construction.

A discussion then ensued concerning the construction cost for the new Tappan Zee Bridge and the anticipated rise in the toll. Astorino did commend Governor Cuomo for his efforts in getting work started to build the new bridge, but he pointed out that the Governor has not yet said how the bridge will be paid for or what the tolls will be. As a point of reference, it was noted that, eastbound, it now can cost as much as $14 to cross the George Washington Bridge. Astorino also said that, as a member of the task force studying mass transit needs, he was adamant that a mass transit option be included in the Tappan Zee Bridge plans. Although the option was included and a hybrid bus-rapid transit line is being evaluated as a possibility, no money has been dedicated to it and no implementation plan has been developed.

The audience had a number of questions concerning the Affordable Housing Settlement with HUD, perhaps in part attributable to the Local Summit’s November breakfast program on the topic. The County Executive, who inherited the settlement agreement from his predecessor, former County Executive Andy Spano, insisted that the County has made every effort to comply with the terms of the settlement and has met all the 2014 settlement benchmarks. The problem, he said, is that HUD is exceeding its power and making demands of the County that go beyond the terms of the agreement. He stated further that, by unilaterally withholding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, HUD is harming communities and people that would otherwise be helped by HUD. The parties are now waiting for a decision from the Federal Circuit Court concerning the CDBG funds.

Several audience members expressed concern over gun violence. When queried about New York’s Safe Act (New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013), Astorino referred to a recent article in “The New York Times” that concluded that the Safe Act was not making New York City any safer. He explained that, after the Newtown shooting, he wanted the County to begin a program to examine the root causes of violent acts and develop protocols to identify and provide early preventative intervention. He distributed copies of the County booklet, “Safer Communities Blueprint.”

When asked about how to address or prevent “Ferguson” type problems, Astorino spoke of the sensitivity training conducted at the County police academy so that law enforcement officers would be better equipped to handle issues involving minority communities, the LGBT community and relations with the disabled, especially autistic children.

As for his plans for Playland, the County Executive explained that he believes Playland is a jewel of the County, but its finances have been a “disaster” despite an increase in both attendance and revenue last year. In his view, the amusement park needs to become a year-round destination for residents and their families. Astorino envisions a public/private venture, similar to Bryant Park or Wollman Rink in New York City, and the County has retained Dan Biederman, president of the Bryant Park Corporation, to prepare a report on how to turn Playland into a 12-month-a-year venue. Astorino noted that renovations to the Playland Ice Rink, which was badly battered by Super Storm Sandy, have been completed. The cost was $5 million for exterior renovations and $1 million for interior renovations. Costs were high due to the building’s unique architecture and historical significance.

This breakfast forum was hosted by The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit, a volunteer community organization founded in 1995 dedicated to facilitating dialog and collaboration among government, schools, non-profits, business and citizens in order to promote positive change within the Mamaroneck, Larchmont and Rye Neck community. Its monthly public meetings are usually held at the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck at 7:45 a.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. The next breakfast meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2015.