Piermont: Valet Parking, Flood maps

Piermont lawmakers tackled a slate of issues at last week’s board meeting (Tuesday, July 16), from a simulated plane crash on the pier to contract negotiations with the Lamont-Doherty center.

Here’s a look at other items discussed:

·      Chief William Cavanaugh of the fire department said that in the past month, there have been 27 fire calls and ambulances responses. The Piermont Fire Department was present at the Nyack College gas explosion, he added. The department has also conducted 16 hours of training this past month, Cavanaugh said.

·      The board approved an agreement with the Piermont Rowing Club, allowing the group to finish their season with pier access.  The approval enacted a three-year, requitable agreement.

·      The board is mulling whether or not to allow valet parking at the new Pier 701 Restaurant that opened July 12. “We’re not really sure what we’re dealing with here,” said Mayor Chris Sanders to business representatives. “Come back in a month or so, see how July and August go. Come back with a plan so you can learn how to fix any problems.”

·      Lawmakers will set up a public hearing in the future to address a proposed zoning amendment related to home elevations. After Sandy damaged many homes and buildings in Piermont, FEMA released flood maps, and created new policies regarding home elevations.

·      Piermont officials discussed the Tappan Zee Bridge Fund, which aims to improve the quality of life for villages in the shadow of the new bridge during construction. The fund has a budget of $40 million and is accepting ideas for projects. The board came up with five potential projects: dredging for Piermont marinas, gaining a planning grant to cover revisions for economic development as a result of Sandy, a recreational biking trail across the bridge, and building a breakwater.