Scarsdale Reaches Tentative Agreement with Police

The Scarsdale Board of Trustees has reached a tentative agreement with the Scarsdale Police Benevolent Association for the period covering June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2013.

Trustee Katherine Eisenmann asked that the agreement be held over for review by the personnel committee before the entire Board considers its terms. Raises of 2.375 percent for 2011 and 2.675 percent for 2012 are included.

New hires will pay an increased portion of health insurance costs under the agreement.

Budget briefing

Mayor Carolyn Stevens announced there will be a public briefing session on the 2011-12 budget this Wednesday at 7 p.m. Stevens said the budget “manages to absorb pay increases, but stops short of decreasing services.” The proposed tax rate is 5.54 percent, an average $287.22 for median assessed homes, said the Mayor. Mandated pension costs increased 64 percent from last year, health insurance up 17 percent.

“If we had been held to a 2 percent cap, we would have had to deeply cut services,” said Stevens referring to the proposed 2 percent budget cap currently proposed at the state level. The Mayor said she is currently reaching out to state legislators to let them know the impact of the proposed measure.

“The highest priority to let the legislature know a tax cap is not rational without mandate relief,” said Mayor Stevens.

Not since 1969; it was 42 years ago when properties were last assessed in the Village of Scarsdale. Citing an increase in tax appeals, litigation and tax certiorari, the Board of Trustees moved one step closer to updated property valuations, agreeing last night to send out a request for bids from qualified firms. The proposal are due by September 15, 2011.

Stormwater projects, tax collections, businesses

The Board named itself lead agency for four stormwater improvement projects at George Field Park, Cooper Green, Harcourt Woods and Brewster Road. In March 2010, nearly $3.2 million in bonds were issued by the Village and Westchester County to cover the cost of the projects.

The Village has collected 99.25 percent of Village taxes through Jan. 31. Revenue has increased in sales tax, parking permits and meters, mortgage tax, recreation fees, delinquent taxes and equipment/insurance recoveries, according to a report by Trustee David Irwin who was absent from the meeting Tuesday night.

Claims for $1,751,907.89 were approved for payment, including $107,414.79 for previously audited library claims.

A public hearing was scheduled for March 8, 2011 on the issue of Patisserie Salzburg renting 2,543 square feet of retail space at 140 Christie Place from C.P. Retail, LLC. Patisserie Salzburg will sell gourmet coffee, pastries and light food items, according to a letter submitted by the developer. The Planning Board has recommended a Special Use permit be granted for the retail use. A bank, restaurant and dry cleaner have already opened at the location.

The Board approved plans to purchase $27,491 of leaf vacuum machine equipment from Trius in Bohemia, NY and $66,701.94 from Old Dominion Brush Company. Payments of  $136,143.71 for change orders at the Public Safety building were approved for payment to contractor Piazza, Inc. of Valhalla.

Payments of nine additional change orders at the Ardsley Road Pump Project. Changes have brought the cost of the project from $1,352,500 originally bid to $2,288,936.62. The latest adjustment of $7,972.20 will cover chemical metering pumps at the site.

Since it has received an insurance claim payment of $18, 809, the Board approved plans to replace a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor P71 totaled in a December 2009 traffic accident .

Trustee David Irwin was absent.