VOM Work Session Recap: Pedestrian Phase Discussion Continues

At Monday night's Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees work session, the board authorized the Ethics Board to retain legal counsel to resolve a potential nepotism conflict. We wrote more about it here.

During the discussion, Trustee John Hofstetter asked Village Attorney Christie Derrico if she would resign from her position as village attorney to run for village justice (last week, she was nominated by the Republican Committee). Derrico responded, "absolutely no," and Mayor Norman Rosenblum said he wouldn't allow it if it were the case. This issue came back up on Wednesday, when the village's Democratic Committee issued a statement asking for Derrico to resign before running for justice. Read more about it here.

Route 1 & Barry Avenue Intersection

The highly debated pedestrian-only phase issue reported on last week continues to be discussed. A few engineering firms have submitted proposals. One would time the signal phases of both intersections (Route 1 and North/South Barry Avenue, and at Route 1 and Harrison Avenue/The Parkway), observe traffic queues and delays during peak hours and count and observe pedestrians crossing legally and illegally. Additionally, the firm suggested reviewing individual accident reports for North and South Barry avenues for the last five years, all for a fee of $4,400.

The firm that has previously worked with the village on this issue submitted another proposal to analyze how traffic would be affected should the traffic signal timing be changed at both intersections.  The proposal would take into account the firm's previous traffic study and information provided by the New York State Department of Transportation (Route 1 is a state road). They would review the DOT's peak hour traffic counts, and do their own counts, if needed; the signals' operating conditions with and without changes; and the impacts of converting the intersections to pedestrian-activated, "all-stop" crossings, or diverting traffic to nearby roads. Speed measurements would also be conducted, and accident data would be reviewed. The charges would cost the village no more than $4,400, as per the proposal.

Rosenblum called the matter an "expanding issue" and said he wasn't in a hurry to change anything, even if it took years to complete. "If we are going to do this, let's do it right," he said. The superintendents of both school districts, EMS and the fire and police departments will be contacted for input to expand the scope of what the village is asking of the traffic engineers, he added. The board also discussed the possibility of training the crossing guards to ensure they accompany the kids when crossing, and looking at the impact on the surrounding area. (Last week, Mamaroneck resident Chari Topol-Allison pointed out to the board that on June 17, "there was no crossing guard at the corner of Barry and BPR until 8:15am, when the substitute guard finally showed up.")

The Rye Neck PTSA sent a letter to the village requesting that alternatives be considered to avoid removing the pedestrian phase. To read the letter, and Rosenblum's response, see attachments to this article.

The next step will be to interview the engineers and choose one proposal, Slingerland said.

Retirement incentive

The village is considering participating in the New York State Early Retirement Incentive, a program to encourage people on the cusp of retiring to do so and increase their pension. For this to happen, the municipality would have to show that replacing a retiring employee with another would result in a minimum saving of 50 percent over a two-year period. This would be achieved by hiring a lower paid employee or keeping the position open for a certain amount of time, explained Village Manager Rich Slingerland.

"Only a limited number of employees are eligible for this and the village will have to decide whether we will meet the eligibility requirements," he said.  "We might not be able to keep those positions vacant or hire at lower salaries to achieve the savings."

No action is expected on this until further notice.

Taxi driver infractions

Rosenblum said he has received complaints from neighborhood associations and individuals regarding traffic violations by taxi drivers. A public hearing to discuss the matter has been set for June 28 and the presence of taxi owners operating in the village has been requested. The school districts have also been notified.

Farmers' market

This summer's farmers' market will be in a pocket parking lot in Harbor Island Park. The location is past the boat ramp on the left, before the main parking lot. The space is approximately 100 feet by 60 feet. The board doesn't expect that visitors to the market will have to pay an access fee.

The board is expected to confirm this location at next Monday's meeting.

Firehouse Sound Wall Installation

The village continues to receive noise complaints regarding the Palmer Avenue firehouse, said Slingerland. Therefore, the possibility of a sound wall is being considered. The cost to build the wall would be approximately $20,000, in addition to design costs.

This item will be on the agenda for Monday's meeting.

Kayaking fees

After members of the Kayakers Alliance of Larchmont and Manaroneck addressed the board at the last meeting to request that the fees to use the boat ramp at Harbor Island be lowered, the board agreed on the following kayak parking and launch fees: $5 to park, $5 to launch, per kayak (whether from the beach or the ramp). The cost to use the ramp for one day had previously been set at $20.

This item will be on the agenda for Monday's meeting.

Appointment of Council for the Arts member

At Monday's meeting, Barbara Weiss is expected to be appointed to the Council for the Arts. Resume TK.