Mayor Marvin's Column: Village Government Summer Activities Recap

Welcome back!  In my mind, the first day of school is more like the start of a New Year for myself and Village government rather than January 1^st.

I thought I would recap Village government summer activities in chronological order, unfortunately ending with our second 100 year storm in just four and a half years.

We managed to stretch our limited funds to do some improvement projects throughout the Village, most noticeably in the business district.  Roads were resurfaced, new curbing installed and trees and plantings added.  This coming week, we will be meeting with representatives of the Bronxville Beautification Committee to collaborate on finishing the replanting of the railroad station banks.

The light at Kraft Avenue and Cedar Street is now powered for use.  It is temporarily on a fixed time schedule for a few days until the “loops” are installed which will make the light car-activated and decrease waiting time.  Residents have commented on the number of heads on the traffic light.   This multiple configuration is what is now required by New York State traffic law for new fixtures. 

We continue to work with the County of Westchester to craft an agreement allowing the Village to be the leasee of Scout Field.   We believe it advantageous to take over responsibilities of maintaining the fields so as to benefit our school baseball team, summer day camp and youth soccer league.  However, we are balking at some County lease provisions, including the requirement to maintain all trees in the area which could cost tens of thousands of dollars for trimming and removal.

Negotiations with our police union continued throughout the summer, though no agreement has been reached.

The Village Green Committee worked with us all summer to launch the “Love’em and Leave’em”  (‘LELE”) program for fall.  Undertaken by several other Westchester communities, the initiative encourages homeowners and gardeners to purchase a mulching mower blade that chops leaves into fine dust that is then left on the lawn.  Not only do the leaves then serve as mulch with nutrients returning to the soil but the decrease in leaf piles will save the Village thousands in removal costs and eliminate the clogging of sewer drains that result in back-ups.

The former Consignment Shop/Kensington Paper is in the process of renovation into an art gallery.  The owner is maintaining the historical characteristics of the building as well as the parking and attractive set-backs.  It promises to be a beautiful addition to that gateway corner.

And then the rains came, Village property itself came out unscathed, but the school and many homeowners were not so fortunate.  In comparison to 2007, the school saw less damage due to the mitigation measures that were undertaken, but many more homeowners lost the entire contents of their basements.  As I write, our Department of Public Works is still circling the Village collecting debris from homes.  The only good news was the loss of only six trees in spite of the dangerous wind conditions.

If there was a bright spot in all of the destruction, it was the kindness and patience of the residents who suffered losses and the exemplary service of our Police and Public Works departments and the Eastchester Fire Department.  They all worked 24/7 and their professionalism, dedication, and genuine concern for the Village residents was clearly demonstrated.   As a resident who needed their help, I want to say thank you.

School Board President Dr. James Hudson and I are asking our State, County and Federal officials for a summit with professionals in the field to help solve the on-going flooding problem.  Since 2007, the wheels have ground much too slowly when addressing this issue.  In the wake of the 2007 flood, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a report recommending six feasibility studies for six flood prone rivers and streams in Westchester County, stating that, “In the absence of Federal action, it is likely the flood damages will occur again, possibly increasing in frequency and intensity.”  The State Department of Environmental Conservation, which is required by law to be the non-Federal partner in flood management projects, has secured the 50% funding for only one study which does not include the Bronx River.   As an additional example of the glacial pace on this issue, the Village is “still in the running” for grant monies we applied for right after the 2007 storm but which have yet to be awarded.

In the interim, the Village will be applying for FEMA monies to cover such costs as overtime and tree and rubbish removal.  The school will do the same for damages incurred.  We just recently learned that individual homeowners are now eligible for FEMA reimbursement by applying either by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or on line at www.disasterassistance.gov or by visiting the newly opened FEMA Disaster Relief Center at the County Center between 8AM to 8PM every day.

We look forward to a dry and uneventful fall.