Village and Town Officials Address Local Summit

by Janet Bear

Following the State and County Legislators Address in January, our local officials, Mayors Walsh (Village of Larchmont) and Murphy (Village of Mamaroneck), and Supervisor Seligson (Town of Mamaroneck) spoke, via Zoom, at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit’s meeting on Tuesday, February 9th.

The three leaders spoke about the pandemic’s impact upon their communities. Active Covid-19 cases increased following the holidays, and all the officials emphasized the need to wear masks, frequently wash your hands, not gather in large groups and maintain social distance. Budgets have also been impacted, with revenue decreases impacting bottom lines. The officials are all working to keep their tax rates as low as possible given the current fiscal climate.

All three communities have reviewed their policing policies and procedures, and committees are preparing reports on Police Reform, Reinvention and Collaboration. Local residents, religious organizations, administrative boards and police departments have worked together on this process and final reports will be presented to the State by April 1.

Village of Larchmont Mayor Lorraine Walsh reported on the status of the two major building projects in the Chatsworth and Palmer Avenue area. Construction is well underway to replace the building on Palmer destroyed by fire over four years ago. On Chatsworth Avenue, building demolition has been completed and the foundation started for Centro, a 14 unit residential building, with retail space. There will be pedestrian access from Chatsworth Ave. to the parking lot on Wendt Avenue. Walsh stated the Village has issued a bond to purchase solar powered parking pay stations and, early this spring, will be implementing the parking study completed pre-pandemic. Revenue will be used to improve infrastructure relating to transportation (parking lots, bike lanes, etc.). Walsh reported that Trustee Malcolm Frouman would be stepping down in March and she has appointed Bridget Brennan to replace him. Frouman has been a valued member of the Village Board.

Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy, at the start of the pandemic, was concerned about the nutrition of local residents. “No child should go to bed hungry.” Working with local volunteers, primarily through the Hunger Task Force, the Village offered a parking lot in Columbus Park for food distribution and saw a huge growth in demand for food. He is grateful for the caring support provided by the local communities. Murphy also reported that the Village is using funds from a $400,000 reserve (funded by a recreation fee charged to local developers) to improve local parks. Swings have been installed in Columbus Park and they are reviewing other needs. Working with the Arts Council, the Village plans to develop a Memorial Garden that will be a living tribute to the outstanding efforts of local municipal employees and Village volunteers during this pandemic. Mayor Murphy recognizes the need to increase lower income housing and would like that to be a focus of the Village Board this year.

Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson reported that the Board has begun work on updating the Comprehensive Plan. A consultant (AKRF) has been hired and the Steering Committee will be introduced at the February 17th Board Meeting. Major issues to be reviewed include: Community Character, Recreation, Housing, Mobility (how does the public get around) and Sustainability. The Floor Area Ration (FAR, a zoning tool) will also be reviewed. The public’s participation is crucial and will be sought through social media and other outreach, beginning in April. Seligson was sorry to report that, after 38 years, the Town Administrator, Steve Altieri, is leaving. A nationwide search for a replacement has begun. Other Town projects include working with four local communities (Villages of Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Pelham and City of New Rochelle) and the county to consolidate the sewer operations under one owner to benefit our communities and the environment; and for later this year, redesigning the Town’s website, and streetscape improvements to the area of Madison and 5th Avenues (near the entrance to 95).

During the Q&A, Mayor Walsh and Supervisor Seligson confirmed that curbside pickup of garbage, initiated at the start of the pandemic, will be permanent, resulting in cost savings and employee protections. (Seniors over 70 or people with disabilities can request an exemption). Also confirmed, the popular outdoor dining feature will continue in both Larchmont and Mamaroneck. When Mayor Murphy was asked about setting up a local vaccination spot to serve residents with transportation issues, it was agreed that this would be very beneficial. Westchester County Executive George Latimer shared that the County is collecting a list of potential vaccination sites throughout the County, and that when more vaccines become available, more sites would be sit up to facilitate access.

This forum was co-hosted by the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit and LMC Media. The Local Summit is an informal community council that seeks to make life better for all in the tri-municipal area. To learn more about The Local Summit: https://www.localsummitlm.org/. To learn more about LMC Media: https://lmcmedia.org/. The next zoom program, on Covid-19, will be Tuesday, March 9, 8:00 am. A link to register for the program will be available on the Local Summit website shortly.