Residents to be Surveyed About the Future of the Scarsdale Pool
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What is the status on the renovation of the Scarsdale Pool Complex? And what is the vision for the next iteration of Scarsdale's aquatic center? Architects Lothrop Associates presented their findings of the existing pool conditions and plans to survey and engage with the community to assess views at a work session of the Village Board on April 26, 2022.
Their inventory of the existing facility found that many features of the current complex are deteriorated, outdated, non-compliant with current health and safety regulations and inefficient. The pool equipment, the locker rooms, facilities and even the pool depths require substantial updating and replacement.
The report explains, “At over 50 years old, the pools at the Complex have reached their expected service life. There are structural failures with the concrete pools, failures of the underground piping between them, and an obsolete hydraulic filtration system. It is also known that building and sanitary codes have developed and expanded significantly during the lifetime of the pool complex. While upgrades to meet current codes do not always apply to existing facilities retroactively, pool water hygiene standards will be required to comply with current health code requirements. Furthermore, compliance with current codes and standards can yield significant hygienic, life safety, and operational cost benefits.”
Furthermore the facility does not meet accessibility standards as outlined in NYS building code.
Long story short, the architects outlined cost estimates in three categories as illustrated below.
They provided estimates to address the risk of safety or damage, code compliance and operations and maintenance costs. All told, they estimate that it would cost $13.2 mm to simply replace the current pools and facilities, without adding any enhancements or special features.
Take a look at a detailed report on the pool fencing, barriers, pool decks, pool vessels, pool depths and more here.
There is almost nothing that does not require attention. The pool equipment needs to be replaced. Currently all four pools have only one drain each while current code requires two drains in each pool. The overflow gutter systems are cracked and need to be replaced and the intermediate pool wall needs to be leveled. The main pool and diving pool share a pool pump and each needs a dedicated pump. The same applies to the intermediate pool and wading pool. The filter tanks for all four pools are 30 years old and need new filters. The report found that the underground cast iron pool piping is corroding and is not code compliant.
And the problems don’t end with the pool itself. The locker room, doors and roof are in serious need of renovation or replacement. The facilities are not code compliant and do not meet accessibility standards. The facilities are also not adequate for the current pool users and 13 additional toilets are required in the women’s locker room.
Problems continue into the concession building where walls are cracked, new doors are needed, the roof needs work, the floor requires replacement along with the ceiling, lights and countertops.
The list goes on -- Read more details here.
What to do?
As part of the process, Lothrop is working with Ballard and King to assess the market, demographics and potential users for a new pool complex. What is the extent of interest within the community for the pool and what features would users like to see?
Can the pool continue to be self- sustaining? According to the report, “The median income in the secondary service area is higher than both the state and national figures, with the income level in the Village being close to triple those figures. The income level in the Village creates a unique opportunity for a seasonal pool to capture 100% of its operating expenses. However, the Village pool complex needs to differentiate itself within the market so that they can continue its enterprise fund operating philosophy and supporting rate structure.”
And who will use the pool? Of the Village’s total population of 18,344 the largest age groups are children ages 5-17 and adults ages 
Charles Cook Memorial Pool in Cortlandt Manor45-64. So a pool update should offer features to attract people in these age groups.
Why do people come to the pool complex? The research finds that the vast majority of people come to the pool for the social aspect:
4% look for organized activities
20% want organized and recreational
76% recreational only
If the Village does decide to enhance the pool complex, the consultants identified some features and activities that might be included:
-For leisure and recreation, the complex could include “leisure pools with zero-depth entry, warm water, play apparatus, slides, seating areas and deck space.”
-Instructional programming in “Reasonably warm water, shallow depth with deeper water (4 ft. or more), and open expanses of water.”
-Fitness programming, aqua exercise classes, lap swimming.
-Therapy in warm, shallow water for therapy and rehabilitation
-Social/relaxation in natural landscapes
-Special events/rentals for birthdays, corporate events, community organization functions and rentals to outside groups to generate additional revenues.
What do residents want to see at the pool? Slides, a lazy river and water features? Upgraded dining options, classes or upgraded seating?
In order to assess community opinion, a survey will be issued both in print and online. A random group of 2,000 households will receive a survey in the mail to be completed in writing or online. The online survey will open on May 30, 2022. Survey findings are expected to be reported in July 2022. The Village will use their outreach to support survey response.
Also planned are community engagement sessions on a Friday and Saturday in early June.
During public comments, two residents spoke in support of repairing and maintaining the Scarsdale Pool.
Michelle Lichtenberg of Greenacres Avenue said, "The pool is such an important asset. I remember when we first moved here on July 3 and we were at the pool July 5. I heard rumors that people thought the pool was not interesting any more – it is! There is nothing more lovely than the Scarsdale pool. Is it aging? Yes! Does it need improvement? Yes! Is it an asset, Yes!"
Susan Ross of Ardmore Road said, "The pool and the schools were a factor when we decided to move to Scarsdale over many other lovely towns in Westchester. And now that my kids are grown, I still enjoy the lap pool and seeing friends there. There is nothing like our lap pool. It would be irresponsible to let this valuable asset slip away."
Free Food Scrap Compost on Saturday
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In celebration of Earth Week, the Village is giving away FREE high quality food scrap compost to Scarsdale residents on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Scarsdale Recycling Center, 110 Secor Road, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It’s first come, first served, so bring a pail, bucket, or other receptacle, and take home some compost! Prior events have been well attended, so plan to be there early.
Food scrap compost can be used in one’s vegetable garden, flower beds, or to enrich turf in place of chemical fertilizers.
Residents are strongly encouraged to join the Food Scrap Program – it’s easy and leads to a meaningful reduction to the solid waste stream, which results in less trash incineration. Volunteers will be available to answer questions to help you get started, and food scrap recycling starter kits will be available for purchase. In addition, extra rolls of compostable bags will be available for your countertop and curbside bins.
The high-quality food scrap compost being given away in celebration of Earth Week is provided pursuant to the successful Village of Scarsdale residential Food Scrap Recycling program, which was developed by the Ad-hoc Committee on Food Scrap Recycling, comprised of Village staff and dedicated resident volunteers. Over 2,000,000 pounds – or roughly 1,000 tons – of food scraps have been recycled since the beginning of the program in January 2017!
For any questions about the April 23rd compost giveaway, or the food scrap recycling program, please email composting@scarsdale.com.
You're Invited to the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner: Thursday April 28, 2022
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Nancy Michaels, Chair of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee sent this letter inviting you to attend the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner on Thursday April 28 to be held for the first time at Brae Burn Country Club.
Dear Scarsdale Community,
We hope many of you will attend the SCARSDALE FOUNDATION BOWL DINNER on Thursday, April 28th where we will celebrate honorees BK Munguia and Jon Mark (2019), Michelle Lichtenberg (2020), and Terry Singer (2021) at Brae Burn Country Club.
There are no paper invitations this year so please use this link to visit the Scarsdale Foundation website to purchase your tickets.
Nancy Michaels and Michelle Lichtenberg
Separately, please consider recognizing friends and neighbors who have volunteered in our community by placing them on the Scarsdale Foundation Volunteer Honor Roll. It’s a great way to show gratitude to all our community volunteers and those named will receive an email certificate and will be recognized in local print and online media, and, of course, at the Bowl Dinner.
All the money raised at the dinner, and via the Honor Roll, will help the Scarsdale Foundation reach its goal of providing $150,000 in need-based scholarships for Scarsdale college students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years in college.
Volunteerism is the backbone of the Scarsdale community, and what makes our village a wonderful and unique place to live. We look forward to celebrating our extraordinary volunteers together at our celebration on April 28th. We hope to see you there. Shine on Scarsdale!
Jon Mark and BK Munguia
Nancy Michaels
Scarsdale Bowl Chair, 2020-2022
Terry Singer and Nancy Michaels
A New Look for Scarsdale
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What words come to mind when you think of Scarsdale? Excellence, stability, classic, volunteerism, small town, charming, historic and traditional were just some of the descriptors that emerged from recent focus groups of residents conducted by the Village’s Advisory Council of Communications (ACC).
They did this research as a part of a rebranding process, to update and unify the Village’s graphic look on communications, the Village website, signage, buildings, vehicles and other entities. On March 29, 2022, Dara Gruenberg, Chair of the Advisory Council of Communications presented a progress report at a work session of the Village Board.
The Village’s current seal, which includes a native American and a pilgrim, looked dated and was not consistently used as an identifier. Furthermore, Gruenberg explained, "The ACC discovered that what had evolved over time was that the Village was using it’s seal as the logo but they actually don't have an official logo. Why this is an important point is because a seal and a logo are very different things….a seal is used in a legal capacity whereas a logo is a visual representation of brand. Therefore, it became even clearer that the Village needed to develop a visual identity for Scarsdale that is intentional and also represents who we are today.”
In order to formulate a new look, the Advisory Council on Communications harnessed the talents of their twelve members and other residents and undertook a professional branding process which included research and focus groups to inform the design process.
The results of this year-long endeavor, were unveiled at a meeting in Village Hall on March 29, 2022, and on the Village website on March 30, 2022.
Gruenberg explained the process. The committee called on Village Historian Jordan Copeland to analyze Village history and the evolution of its identity. They looked at other municipalities to review their branding and held focus group with different constituencies.
Based on this feedback, designers Kerry Hayes and Diane Greenwald developed three concepts which the committee considered and then selected the logo above. It features the village color palate – blue, gray and maroon, an illustration of the cupola atop the Harwood Building and the year of Scarsdale’s founding. According to Gruenberg, “The design combines classic and modern typefaces to look retro, idyllic and nostalgic and connect to good elements from the past.” The logo has been incorporated into a seal and two logo designs so that it can be adapted for a variety of uses.
However, implementing this design will take time and the ACC is currently working on creating an inventory of all branded items that will need to be updated. There are budget constraints and they want to do this methodically.
Village Branding lacked a consistent look.
Gruenberg reported that this is not the only work of the Council.
They have redesigned the Village website to make it more visually appealing and user friendly to navigate. In 2021 they developed evergreen video content for the Village website featuring interviews with department heads. These will help residents get to know who runs the Village and make them more approachable.
Other initiatives include developing communications plans for targeted issues, improving the registration process on the recreation department platform, developing a social media policy and supporting initiatives to bring business to the Village Center.
Most impressive, all of this work is being done by volunteers, at no cost to taxpayers.
Kudos to the team for a fresh new identity for Scarsdale.
Paulin Passes Bill Requiring Airports to Provide Information to Help Human Trafficking Victims
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Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) announced that her bill (A.9169/S.8262) has passed in the New York State Assembly which requires all airports of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which are JFK International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, New York Stewart, and Teterboro airports, to provide information on support services for human trafficking victims. It will now proceed to the New York State Senate where it is sponsored by Senator Anna Kaplan.
The bill requires the airports to have informational cards or signs available in public restrooms. Such items would contain information on services for trafficking victims as well as the national human trafficking hotline number.
“Since trafficking networks often rely on air travel to transport victims, we are including airports in our efforts to help these victims,” said Assemblymember Paulin. “For some victims, the information they will see in an airport restroom may be the only opportunity to learn about services available to them. Ideally a victim will take a card or a photo of a sign and call the hotline for help either on the spot or at a later time.”
Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that generates $150 billion in annual profits. In 2021, an estimated 25 million people were trafficked. Airports are known hubs used to traffic victims both internationally and domestically, and as a result they are an ideal location to provide information about victim services. This information will inform victims, as well as other travelers, about the availability of services.
Pursuant to the bill, the posters and cards must include information on human trafficking services and must prominently display the national human trafficking hotline number. Many victims are heavily supervised and controlled while in transit, preventing them from safely seeking help or finding resources for fear of retaliation. By having the victim services informational signs or cards posted in all restrooms, victims will have easy access to the information.
“Through this legislation, airports can assume a more prominent role in responding to and preventing human trafficking,” said Assemblymember Paulin. “It will also afford victims a resource to help escape their capture.”
This bill is the latest in a host of legislation authored and passed by Assemblymember Paulin designed to strengthen New York’s laws against human trafficking. In 2014 she passed a law ensuring that human trafficking victims who are 16 and 17 years old will be treated as victims instead of criminals and get the services they need (Ch. 402 of 2014). In 2015 she passed the landmark “Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act” to increase the accountability of buyers and traffickers, providing law enforcement with additional tools to identify traffickers, and providing victims recourse to recover damages from their traffickers (Ch. 368 of 2015). In 2016 she passed a law requiring hospitals to establish written policies and procedures for the identification, assessment, and treatment or referral of suspected human trafficking victims (Ch. 408 of 2016).
In 2018 Assemblymember Paulin passed several anti-trafficking laws, including the End Child Sex Trafficking Act, which eliminated the requirement for proof of force, fraud, or coercion in order to prosecute an individual for the class B violent felony of sex trafficking of a minor (Ch. 189 of 2018). Another law she passed in 2018 requires lodging facilities to provide information about services for human trafficking victims on cards in public areas, including in their public restrooms and guest rooms (Ch. 190 of 2018). She also passed a 2018 law which allows any county to move an action pending in a local criminal court to a human trafficking intervention court (Ch. 191 of 2018).
Anita S. Teekah, Esq., Senior Director, Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program, said "Safe Horizon's Anti-Trafficking Program is grateful to Assemblymember Paulin for her steadfast and unwavering support of victims and survivors of human trafficking. Her recently passed bill will provide valuable and life-saving information to victims in transit during their trafficking and will hopefully connect victims to the services they critically need as they self-empower after escaping trafficking."
Nancy Downing, Executive Director, Covenant House New York, said “Trafficking victims, especially those trafficked from abroad, may find themselves in airports confused and scared with no idea of who to trust. Seeing posted information on how to get help could be their chance at freedom. Awareness of the realities of human trafficking and how to access services needs to be far reaching and we applaud Assemblymember Paulin's efforts to have this information posted in heavily populated New York airports.”
Dorchen A. Leidholdt, Esq., Director, Sanctuary for Families, said “Sanctuary for Families, the largest provider of holistic, dedicated services to gender violence survivors—including human trafficking survivors—in New York State, commends Assemblywoman Amy Paulin for her long-standing leadership in the fight to prevent and combat human trafficking. We applaud her success in securing the support of the New York State Assembly of a bill that requires airports to publicize information on support services for human trafficking victims. Providing this information to victims, and those in a position to assist them, in the very destinations in which they are being transported for purposes of sex and labor trafficking will prevent exploitation and save lives.”
“We must continue to extend protection, services, and assistance to victims, while also strengthening laws which hold those that enslave and exploit children through the commercial sex trade accountable,” said Assemblymember Paulin. “I am grateful to my colleagues in the Assembly for passing this bill and now look to my Senate colleagues to do the same. It’s critical that we help victims escape lives of abuse and exploitation at the hands of their predatory traffickers.”
