Village Declares Emergency After State Classifies Dam 'Unsound'

MAMARONECK, NY — Flooding concerns in the Village of Mamaroneck have become an official local emergency even under clear skies as repeated warnings from state inspectors prompt bold action from the village manager.

On Wednesday, Mamaroneck Village Manager Jerry Barberio issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to a dire report from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) inspectors. The emergency will remain in effect until May 20, unless rescinded by Barberio, according to the proclamation.

The emergency declaration will allow the city manager more latitude to deal with the crisis. Certain processes are relaxed to allow for bringing in experts to assess the situation and proceed with a contractor for the repair or removal of the dam.

The state agency stopped short of declaring that the condition of the Mamaroneck Reservoir Dam poses an imminent danger to lives or property, but the move by Barberio comes after the village was cited on at least four previous occasions for failure to maintain and submit annual certifications, and perform required engineering assessments.

"Since 2018, the NYSDEC sent the village multiple notices to repair or remove the Mamaroneck Reservoir Dam," Barberio told Patch on Wednesday. "After a few difficult years, my staff and I are now focused and committed to a resolution in the next 6-12 months working with State DEC and Westchester County officials."

The most recent visual inspection from the DEC dated April 5, found that the dam showed evidence of seepage, signs of deterioration, tree limbs, debris and growth blocking a spillway and missing protective pieces. The inspector noted that the dam on the Mamaroneck River appears to be "unmaintained."

In the past, there was some debate as to whether the dam was owned by Westchester Joint Water Works or the village. The Mamaroneck Reservior Dam is not the property of the municipality, but the Village of Mamaroneck is 100 percent responsible for the upkeep and maintenance, according to a 1977 agreement with Westchester Joint Water Works.

The condition of the dam is not addressed or considered a part of the massive flood mitigation project in Mamaroneck being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

SEE ALSO: Mamaroneck Flood Mitigation Project Green-Lit

The dam was classified as "unsound" by the state in December 2018.

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This story was updated to include a statement from Mamaroneck Village Manager Jerry Barberio and to reflect additional details about the standing agreement between the Village of Mamaroneck and the Westchester Joint Waterworks.