VOM Adopts New Ethics Form, Pauses Sportime Project

The Village of Mamaroneck has finally approved a revised version of the widely discussed disclosure form, a document that some village employees and volunteers are required to file every February.

The decision came at the board's regular meeting on Monday, after six months of back-and-forth discussions between the Ethics Board, mayor, board and village attorney.

For information on the major differences between the two forms, click here. To view the newly adopted form, see attachments. 

Pedestrian-only phase

Also on Monday, over 20 residents addressed the board regarding the traffic issue at two intersections near Rye Neck's elementary schools.

Read more about it here.

Sportime's Plans for Harbor Island Park on Hold

A resident criticized the village's partnership with Sportime, a private company that operates facilities throughout New York and was in the midst of developing a plan for Harbor Island Park until last week.

"Harbor Island is a public park and not a private enterprise or a sports complex," he said. "Why is the board even entertaining the idea of paying for this proposal in this volatile economy?"

To the surprise of many, Mayor Rosenblum explained that the plan was now a "mute point" after the village was told by Westchester County last week that a previously overlooked second outflow pipe affected the existing area and proposed plan. "So we are back to ground zero," Rosenblum said.

The village was aware of one pipe coming out of the treatment plant at Harbor Island, but it turns out there is one active and one back up pipe. As a result, the plan and existing license with Sportime have to be modified so that no structure is built over the pipes or, if it is, that there is proper reinforcement.

There is "no concrete schedule as to how long the review will take," said Village Manager Rich Slingerland. 

Kayaking

Members of the Kayakers Alliance of Larchmont and Manaroneck addressed the board to request that the fees (both per day only and per season for residents and non-residents) to use the boat ramp at Harbor Island be lowered, citing significantly lower prices at nearby locations. They also requested more storage area, additional access points within the park to alleviate congestion and improved collaboration between the three municipalities to make it easier for kayakers to use the facilities.

Mayor Rosenblum said the village was already looking into the possibility of adding storage and could look into lowering the seasonal permit fees.

Vehicle, traffic regulations

Left turns into Diamond Car Wash on Halstead Avenue will no longer be allowed for vehicles traveling east; there will be no parking near the driveway at 625 Waverly Ave. to accommodate truck traffic in and out of the business across the street; and there will be no parking on the Harbor side of The Crescent to allow easier access for emergency vehicles.

Parking ticket penalties and offenses

A public hearing has been scheduled for June 28th to adjust the village's parking ticket penalties and offenses doubling schedule in coordination with its new parking ticket collection company.

Fines usually increase after a certain amount of time to encourage people to pay them on time. If this change were approved, a $20 ticket would go up to $40 after 15 days, to $80 after 30 days, and to $160 after 45 days.

New Rec & Parks member

Joan Spedafino was appointed to the Recreation & Parks Commission on Monday. Below is information provided to the board by Spedafino:

- A lifelong resident of Mamaroneck, graduate of Mamaroneck High School (Class of 1980)

- Worked at the Village Day Camp for over 9 years

- Teacher at F.E. Bellows Elementary School for 25 years- positions held include 1st grade teacher ( 10 years), 4th grade teacher ( 15 years), team leader (20 years), Student Council Advisor ( 20 years), Varsity Softball Coach (23 years), Varsity Basketball Coach ( 10 years)

- Rye Neck Booster Club member (6 years), president (2 years)

- Recreation Committee member for two terms, one of which I was the chairwoman

- CYO basketball coach and coordinator at St. Vito's (15 years)

- Little League Coach (6 years)

- Mamaroneck Soccer League- board member (5 years)

- Member of Elks

- Member of the Old Timers Association

- President of Section 1 softball  association

Bike Law

A public hearing to change the Bike and other Non-motorized Devices Law was scheduled for June 28. The changes would allow bikers to chain their bikes to designated areas in the downtown and would not require them to register their bikes.

Summer meeting schedule

Summer is finally here! And for those of us who no longer go to school, the definite sign is that the Board of Trustees will no longer hold two work sessions and two board meetings a month. In July and August, the board will hold work sessions on July 12 and August 9; and board meetings on July 19 and August 16.