We Made It Through the Rain: Scarsdale Weathers Hurricane Henri
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The Bronx River Parkway was more river than parkway. Photo Credit: Kathleen Campbell.Scarsdale appears to have dodged the worst of Hurricane Henri. Though there were some downed trees and branches and areas of local flooding from over six inches of rain over two days, the Village weathered the storm well. On Sunday a large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out power to 36 customers and the Bronx River Parkway flooded at Fenimore Road. But as of Monday morning the roads were clear and the storm appeared to be moving on.
On Monday morning we found flooding at one of the high school parking lots – and also noticed that the large seven acre retention basin at George Field was doing its job.
The weekend police report showed the following:
A large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out the power to 30 customers around noon on Sunday 8-22.
A large branch fee on Post Road, and a white Honda minivan had a large tree branch wedged underneath in at 3 pm on Sunday 8-22. A towing company was called to lift the car off of the branch.
A clogged storm drain caused flooding at the intersection of Wynmor and Secor Roads at 4:00 pm. Police were able to clear the drain and alleviate the flooding.
Fox Meadow Road flooded at the intersection of Paddington Road at 4:15 pm Sunday and was taped off.
The retention field at George Field Park did its job.
A tree fell on the guest house of a home on Mamaroneck Road at 4:30 pm Sunday. No one was injured.
There was flooding on Brookby Road at 4:30 pm Sunday and it was blocked to traffic.
At 4:45 pm on Sunday Boulevard flooded and was closed.
Tree branches were removed from Palmer Avenue and Griffen Avenue Sunday afternoon.
A tree fell on Saxon Woods Road at 9 pm Sunday and the highway department removed it.
Downed wires were reported at a Brookby Road home at 6:30 am Monday morning.
Commenting on the storm, Village Manager Rob Cole said, "I would like to express deep appreciation for our emergency operating team, including our Police, Public Works, and Fire Departments, as well as SVAC for their well-executed advance storm preparations and many hours spent monitoring the storm and local conditions. It should also be noted that the Westchester County Emergency Operating Center provided excellent municipal support as we all awaited Henri’s arrival. ConEd should also be recognized for their high level of advance preparation, as well, reflecting lessons learned from prior storm events that have not gone well.
While the storm was not entirely without incident, those conditions that did arise were promptly responded to.
Because of the training, dedication, and professionalism of our staff, the Scarsdale community is in good hands when confronted with the possibility of severe weather and other hazards.
Finally, please note that because of lingering rain, residents are encouraged to be aware of the continuing potential for flood conditions, including avoiding driving through flood waters, increasing stopping distances, and watching for pooled water on roadways."
One of the lots at SHS was flooded.
High School athletes were out in the rain on Monday morning.
Backyard Acting Camp, Based on "Hamilton"
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A dozen aspiring thespians participated in a backyard camp this summer, focused on the popular Broadway play, Hamilton. In search of a summer activity based on music and dance, three Edgewood parents of rising sixth graders reached out to a local theater company to organize a one-week backyard camp for twelve students.
“Backyard Hamilton Camp ran for a week from 9:30 – 3 pm in two Scarsdale backyards with breaks for lunch and snacks.
There are two instructors, equipped with only a keyboard led the kids in theater games, choreography exercises, small group performances and solo numbers. The kids even met a special guest on Zoom who was involved in the early development of Hamilton at the Public Theatre. The program concluded with a showcase.
According to students Avery Bower and Helen Gimbel the best part of camp was that they got to learn some “really hard, but fun choreography.” They also loved the theatre games the group plays, and competing as Team Peggy, Team Eliza and Team Angelica. Adena Zitrin added that the daily “Hamilton in Ten Minutes” was one of her favorite parts of the day. Each day they were given a different role to play. “Learning how to stage fight was an unexpected surprise,” said Jake Carter. All the girls chimed in how fun that was too!
For more information, contact Debra Asher at debraasher@yahoo.com.
Quaker Ridge Doctor Reports Alleged Racial Profiling of 15 Year-Old Son
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A Quaker Ridge doctor and longtime Scarsdale resident is claiming that his fifteen year-old son was the victim of racial profiling by the Scarsdale Police last week. Bakhtiar Ishtiaq MD of 63 Stratton Road in Scarsdale sent us the following letter that he wrote to the police and the response he received below. He said, “I am detailing a very disturbing incident and trend in Scarsdale and hope you will publish it for your readers to initiate a discourse to improve race relations in our village.”
He plans to meet with the police with his wife and son.
(From Bakhtiar Ishtiaq to the Scarsdale Police and Mayor)
We are long-time Scarsdale residents having lived in the village for over a decade. I want to report and comment on a very disturbing incident that happened a few days ago. My youngest, 15 year old son, a student at Scarsdale high was racially profiled and harassed by a Scarsdale Police Department officer in the village.
On Thursday, July 22, around 9:30 PM, my son who happens to be a young person of color was stopped for no apparent reason while walking on the sidewalk between the Seven Eleven going to CVS in Scarsdale Village by a Scarsdale police officer who happened to be white. She asked him harassing questions about why he was there, what he was doing, who he was going to meet and what he was going to do after he met them. Understandably, my son was terrified.
To his good luck, two of his friends whom he was supposed to meet happened to walk by, said hello to him and at that point the officer backed off.
With the recent memories of white police officers, racially profiling and interacting with young people of color we were left without words when he told us about the incident.
As I mentioned we have been here a long time and have fortunately never experienced anything like this before but then it was only a matter of time.
I am wondering if other people of color in Scarsdale have had similar encounters with police or other institutional or individual entities.
Given the less than stellar racial diversity history of Scarsdale, it is imperative that the mayor, chief of police and other concerned people take note of such prejudicial encounters and move quickly to intervene to prevent notoriety, heartache, and tragedy.
Very concerned.
Here is the response he received from Det. Lieutenant B. Kellaher #201 from the Scarsdale Police:
Good afternoon,
I have received your email. I want to let you know that having worked in the Village of Scarsdale Police Department for over 15 years, I know that we pride ourselves on community service, professionalism and a mutual respect with our residents. I apologize for any negative experience that your son encountered.
I have reviewed the police officers’ activity log for the date and time in question, for the officers that were on-duty when you stated. I will let you know that the police department has a formal complaint procedure for instances whereby a citizen believes that service was not rendered in a proper manner. I would encourage you and your son to explore that option, whereby you can be present at our headquarters to report the incident to the officer’s supervisor and discuss the circumstances and possibly find a resolution or an explanation that would ease your son’s concerns and assist us in evaluating our response to citizen encounters.
Again, the Scarsdale Police Department is staffed by trained professionals and if there are other families that believe that this is not the case they too are free to report any concerns to our attention.
Thank you for reporting your concern and for your desire for the police department to maintain a quality of service that is uncompromised and of the highest degree.
Sincerely,
Det. Lieutenant B. Kellaher #201
Scarsdale Police Department
50 Tompkins Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Tel: 914-722-1200
Fax: 914-722-1214
Ishtiaq then replied:
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your expedient response.
As I hope you would understand, the incident has left us very shaken and we are concerned about our safety and the safety of our son.
We shall definitely take up your offer to present our complaint in person but will do so pending the advice of counsel.
Regards
B Ishtiaq, MD
Local Legislators Welcome NY State's First Female Governor
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After days of uncertainty about the future of New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday August 10, 2021. Taking his place will be Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who will be the Empire State’s first female governor.
See below for comments from State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Assemblymember Amy R. Paulin and Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
Andrea Stewart Cousins
“Today is a somber day for the state of New York, but one that demonstrates our ability to build a more accountable system of government. Governor Cuomo’s resignation opens the door to a restorative future. We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the courageous women who came forward and helped pave the way for safer and more inclusive work spaces.
Working with Governor Kathy Hochul, the first woman Governor of New York State, we will continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild our economy and face our challenges standing together. Governor Hochul is a dedicated leader, and united, we will get the people’s work done.”
Amy Paulin
Governor Cuomo’s decision to resign is for the good of New York. Over the past decade, the work done by Governor Cuomo has in many ways improved the lives of New Yorkers, but the evidence has made it clear that he cannot continue in office. The Governor’s resignation is a necessary step that will allow the State government to function effectively, and it sets the precedent that sexual harassment will not be tolerated at any level.
This ends a sordid chapter in New York’s history, but I hope it opens a new one, in which people in positions of power finally understand that sexual harassment is not okay and has profound consequences. What Andrew Cuomo did to 11 women is still happening in our society. So if this resignation leads to more abusers thinking twice, and to more victims deciding to fight back, then New York will be the better for it.
I would like to thank the women who came forward and shared their stories. Their bravery will not be forgotten.
When she is sworn in, Kathy Hochul will be the first woman to hold the office of Governor of New York. She is capable and prepared to take the position, and I look forward to working with her office to help the people of this State.
George Latimer
“Westchester County, and my administration, stand ready to work with incoming Governor Kathy Hochul when she assumes the governorship later this month. For years, incoming Governor Hochul has been a welcomed presence in Westchester County. She is well qualified to lead New York State in this immediate crisis.
“Also, for all New Yorkers, let us recognize this historic moment – that New York will for the first time in our history have a female Governor. Times have changed - as they should.
“We welcome incoming Governor Hochul, and look forward to cooperation between Westchester County and New York State in moving together in the right direction.”
Scarsdale Board of Trustees Holds First In Person Meeting After the Pandemic
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The MTA will install a new elevator at the Scarsdale Train StationThe Board of Trustee Business Meeting on July 13th marked a major step in the return to normalcy as the Board held its first in-person meeting in Village Hall since the beginning of the pandemic. This meeting was also the first led by interim Village Manager Rob Cole, who will fill in for retired Village Manager Steve Pappalardo until his replacement is hired.
During his announcements, Cole announced that smoke testing will be conducted in various areas of Scarsdale over the summer and that during the tests, smoke may be discharged from building foundations, sewer cleanings, and may seep from the ground. If the smoke is entering a resident's home, this likely means there are other unsafe gases are entering the premises and posing health risks. Any resident in a potentially affected area will receive direct notification from the village about the dates the tests are being conducted. Residents will also receive instructions on how to report any smoke detected in their home. Cole emphasized that the smoke is non-toxic and non-staining and that the tests will ensure that the village is up-to-code.
During Mayor’s comments, Mayor Jane Veron touched on a variety of topics including her excitement over the town’s first in-person meeting and an update on the status of the village manager search. After receiving 56 applications, the village narrowed the field to 14 qualified applicants for village manager and conducted extensive interviews for the Village Manager position over two days. Finalist interviews will be held in late July.
Proposed Changes to Building Code
Mayor Veron also addressed the local zoning law that was taken up during a public hearing later in the evening. Below is an excerpt from her statement:
"In just a few moments we will open a public hearing on the proposed changes to land-use code. To offer context, over 15 years ago, a SNAP subcommittee along with other community groups, land use boards, and village representatives developed draft FAR legislation to address complaints about bulky houses and the risk to neighborhood character. Ultimately, these efforts led to the FAR code change. Over time, many residents have called for stricter requirements and have asked that the Village reexamine the FAR legislation yet again and consider other regulatory tools. This issue is never easy as we regularly struggle to find the right balance between individual property rights and public good. We also know that Scarsdale's charm is its diversity of neighborhoods and finding a solution that is good for all can be complex. Pre pandemic, Land Use Board Chairs formed a working group to examine multiple reports and recommendations made over many years that they felt would have helped Scarsdale move closer to the collective desired outcome. The Village Board referred this working group's proposal to the Planning Board in early 2021, and the Planning Board deliberated for many months and made the recommendation to the Village Board that is on the agenda this evening. We look forward to the public hearing. We will listen and absorb, and we will not vote on the matter this evening. I expect that this item will be back on the agenda in early August.”
Next, the Board opened the public hearing to amend a local zoning law. The proposed law will amend existing legislation by:
• Reducing the maximum permitted roof height from 35 feet to 32 feet;
• Reducing the FAR side yard setback bonus by 30%;
• Eliminating the requirement that any home addition must be to the read of the home in order to utilize the side year FAR bonus;
• Clarifying the Village Code to specify that the FAR garage credit applies to the square footage of the floor level of the garage where cars are parked, excluding space on upper floors;
• And requiring Planning Board Sit Plan approval for single-family residential projects involving more than 15,000 square feet of gross floor area, eliminating review through a Special Use Permit from the Board of Appeals.
Only one resident, Brian Nottage, spoke during this public hearing. Mr. Bottage said, "to me, it strikes me that this law is targeting something specific (overbuilding homes) by doing something very general. If the issue is that new homes are too big, the law should address this specifically." He also commented that "these rules are impossible for any citizen to understand. I have no real concept of what these rules do… it would probably be a problem for my house. I would like to see something more targeted." Mr. Nottage also spoke about his concern that the amendment would penalize existing homeowners and encourage more teardowns in neighborhoods.
Trustee Arest also raised his concern that in the amendment, the term "bulk" is subjective and that the vague nature of how parts of the amendment are written will force a future Board to reevaluate the matter in a few years. Trustee Arest questioned the wisdom of the Board's incremental approach but also stated that he currently has no plans to vote against the legislation. Trustee Whitestone added that the law "seems to balance interests of homeowners and developers pretty well… I feel there is targeting and specificity to the recommendations… it is not ideal to go back (to reevaluate) three years from now, but balancing all these considerations it makes sense to consider what we have before us." Trustee Lewis affirmed Trustee Whitestone's position.
New Elevator and Heated Canopy at Scarsdale Metro North Station
The last significant agenda item of the meeting was the passing of four resolutions. The first, presented by Trustee Arest, was a resolution to authorize the execution of an easement agreement for the Metro-North Scarsdale Station Project. Metro-North submitted renderings of what the project will look like – see figures 1 and 2. This project is subject to an RFP, so the below drawings of the station improvements are not exact, but rather an estimation of what the work will look like. This is a two-phase project; the first phase will be installing a new elevator (see figure 1) and relocating the motorcycle and scooter parking to meet ADA compliance. Phase two will feature the installation of a canopy, a heated platform, and other amenities. Before voting unanimously to pass the resolution, Trustee Whitestone commented that Metro-North has "a bad track record of designing facilities updates with commuters in mind." He stated that the last improvements were done without sincere regard for how residents actually used the facilities and that the Board needs to "keep a close eye on" how the project develops.
Appointment to Library Board
Trustee Brew led the next resolution, where the Board voted to approve the appointment of Robert Jeremiah to the Scarsdale Library Board. Jeremiah will finish the five-year term of Deb Morell who submitted her resignation earlier this year after moving out of Scarsdale.
Transportation
Next, Trustee Lewis presided over the resolution to executive an inter-municipal agreement with Westchester County for prisoner transportation services. He remarked that this agreement provides compensation to the village for these services and enhances public safety as well as improves police department work. The resolution passed unanimously.
Library Bench
Finally, Trustee Whitestone introduced the last resolution to accept a gift of a new library pond bench in memory of Scarsdale resident Dr. Tanya Dutta. Dr. Dutta was in her mid-40s and passed away in early June 2021 after a battle with cancer. She was a renowned cardiologist and a wonderful resident of Scarsdale. To honor Dr. Dutta’s lifelong passion for reading and learning, her family decided that the library pond was a fitting location for a bench in her honor. The board voted unanimously to approve the acceptance of this gift and agreed it was an appropriate way to honor the tragic loss of Dr. Dutta.
