“Strong” State of the Town; Parking District Coming?

by Harriet Kline

(January 4, 2007) The Mamaroneck Town Board held its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 3. The Supervisor delivered the “State of the Town” message; the board approved committee and commission appointments and heard NY Assemblyman George Latimer on the process required for creating a new “traffic district.”

State of the Town

Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe began her address by stating that the recently enacted 2007 Town budget “includes the appropriations necessary to continue the services that the residents continue to insist upon from the Town Government.” The final 2007 budget, passed on December 20 with few changes from the budget presented on December 6, called for a total of $27,476,085 in expenditures. That translates to a budget increase of approximately $1.2 million (4.6%) and a tax rate increase of 5.3% for residents of the unincorporated area of Mamaroneck. (See: 2007 Preliminary Town Budget Would Up Taxes 5.3%)

Supervisor O’Keeffe further stated that “we enter 2007 with the Town’s financial condition remaining quite strong.” This, in spite of a mandate from the New York State to contribute $12 million towards the construction of a water filtration plant by the Westchester Joint Water Works (comprised of the Town and Village of Mamaroneck and all of Harrison). Supervisor O’Keeffe said that the Town has prepared “a plan to use a blend of both tax revenue and water rate charges to finance construction of the plant.”

In 2006, the board granted final approval to Forest City Residential to construct 139 condominium units on Madison Avenue. The project will bring in additional property taxes, sorely needed workforce housing (units so designated will remain rentals) and the construction of a new parking structure on Myrtle Boulevard.

A highlight of the summer of 2006 has been the Town’s hosting of the US Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club. The Town joined Village of Mamaroneck and New York State authorities in accommodating 50,000 people per day during the seven days of the tournament.

The board also adopted legislation allowing for the appointment of constables charged with enforcement of “quality of life” codes – codes affecting noise, pollution, etc. The board has also been looking at illuminated signage in the commercial district and hopes to complete its work shortly.

Another focus of the Town Board has been the development of emergency preparedness plans. Town residents have been surveyed as to their own plans. The survey results are currently being tabulated and will inform emergency plans.

Supervisor O’Keeffe also touched on efforts to work with neighboring communities – as exemplified by striving to increase the number of playing fields and joining other Sound Shore communities in monitoring and evaluating FAA use of airspace at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports.

In 2007, Mamaroneck Town and Larchmont Village will conduct a joint study of sanitation collection routes aimed at improving efficiency.

At the end of her prepared remarks, Supervisor O’Keeffe thanked board members and all Town employees for their work on behalf of the Mamaroneck.

Committee/Commission Appointments

As part of Wednesday’s meeting, the board approved a number of Town commission and board memberships and chairs for the coming year. A complete listing of these members can be found on the Town’s website (TownofMamaroneck.org).

Parking District Coming? 

NY State Assemblyman George Latimer appeared at the meeting to clarify the process should Mamaroneck find it necessary to create a “traffic district” in and around Washington Square. That is one of the proposals being studied by the Washington Square Parking Committee looking into parking problems in the area. (See: Town Board OKs Firefighter Contract & Parking Study).

Mr. Latimer stated that any such designation would necessitate “home rule” legislation. He said such legislation is “not unprecedented” but would require passage by both New York State houses. Once the board drafts such legislation, Mr. Latimer promised to work on its behalf at the state level.

Civil Service Employee Settlement

Town Administrator Steve Altieri informed the Board that negotiations with the Civil Service Employees Association have resulted in a settlement. Town civil service employees (office personnel and members of the highway department) had been working without a contract since September 2005. The new contract raises salaries by 3.5% retroactively from January 1, 2006. There is another raise of 3.5% starting on January 1, 2007 and a 4% raise effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Altieri called the settlement “fair,” and the board unanimously approved it.

Next Town Board meeting: will be held on Wednesday, January 17 in the Town Center Court room.

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