Pool Negotiations Reach the Finish Line: $70.4MM Indoor-Outdoor Pool to Be Built in Scarsdale
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At a specially scheduled work session on the future of the Scarsdale Pool on Tuesday December 16 the Board was expecting to confront a throng of residents. All Board members were present and Rutherford Hall was lined with enticing renderings of the proposed pool complex, with views of the natatorium, lake-like outdoor pool and splash pad. All hands were on deck, including the Capital Projects Manager Paul Zaicek, the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and a Pool Consultant from Hill International who will manage the construction process.
But the seats were empty. No one came. After years of surveys, analysis, research and debates, the public was silent.
The purpose of the work session was to review the feedback on the four options for the redevelopment of the Scarsdale Pool Complex, which has reached the end of its useful life. In response to their proposals, the Board had received live feedback at eight well attended public sessions and comments to a dedicated email account. This session was held to review community response.
Perhaps the public had said everything they wanted to say on the decision to select one of four options which were:
1) Do nothing and close the pool complex
2) Replace the existing complex as is and bring it to current code: $36MM
3) Construct an enhanced outdoor only complex: $47.5MM
4) Build an indoor/outdoor pool complex with community meeting rooms, 3 outdoor pools, locker rooms, recreational facilities and more: $70.4MM
Community Feedback
Assistant Village Manager Ruby Tower shared an analysis of the 236 comments received:
-43% of commenters provided support for the full indoor/outdoor project.
-40% of commenters did not indicate a preference for a particular plan, but posed various questions and suggestions regarding the pool complex project. The content of these comments included topics such as the operational plan, design elements, and financial impacts, amongst others.
-10% of commenters provided support for bringing the existing facility to code.
-5% of commenters provided support for the enhanced outdoor project.
-2% of commenters expressed that they are against the indoor/outdoor project, but did not identify a preferred project.
No one asked to allow the facility to deteriorate and repurpose the space.
See an analysis of the feedback and all 236comments here:
So where did this leave the Board, who has the power to make the decision with a simple majority vote? Unlike the Board of Education, the Village Board is not required to hold a public referendum for issuing bonds to finance projects. And taking on debt would indeed be required to fund a project that exceeded the entire annual budget of the Village.
Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee Letter
Before sharing their own views, the Board listened to a statement from Larry Medvinsky, who chaired the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee (PRAC). Medvinsky explained why the committee unanimously supported the indoor-outdoor pool option:
He said, “The PRAC views this project as important to current and future generations of Scarsdale residents, in much the same manner as the original pool complex has been for generations of Scarsdale families over the past 50+ years. The pool complex is a center of community engagement, a source of major recreational activity, an important integrator for new families into our community, an anchor that maintains and increases the property values of homes in Scarsdale and a crown jewel that continues to make Scarsdale unique among its neighboring communities.
The support to maintain a pool has been overwhelming and a clear majority of the community supports the indoor/outdoor pool complex. The public comments shared at the October 2025 community presentation as well as at each of the neighborhood association meetings and other community discussions have been overwhelmingly supportive of the project, as have public comments received via email over the past 6 weeks.
An updated and modern complex that includes an indoor pool, new community space, sports courts and playgrounds, a cafeteria, enhancements to current structures and year-round accessibility will greatly enhance the Scarsdale experience for all residents. It is the strong view of the PRAC that providing a year-round facility and programming for residents is a far better investment than a facility that only operates for 3 months of the year.
The PRAC has spent considerable time reviewing the proposed development and construction costs, as well as the year-round operational expenses. While we understand that a considerable burden will be placed on taxpayers, the PRAC believes that the many positive attributes of the complex justify the expenses. We believe a new indoor/outdoor pool complex will be of immense benefit for the community, that this investment is merited and that the return on investment for current residents and future generations of Scarsdale residents will more than be achieved.”
Trustees Views
Then each Trustee expressed their views on how they would vote on the largest initiative ever undertaken by the Village of Scarsdale.
Trustee David Goldschmidt, a relative newcomer to the Board, spoke eloquently, reviewing the options, the process and its impact on current and future residents of Scarsdale.
He opened with thanks to all the people who moved the process forward since 2021, including the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee, the Village Manager, the Superintendent of Public Works, the Recreation Department, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg and Jerry Wise who spearheaded the effort for the Board. He gave, “a special thanks to Trustee Gruenberg who pushed and spearheaded this effort." He called her a "great example of civic pride and volunteerism and an example for all of us.”
He continued, "The committee’s research was extensive and its report was comprehensive. I do not think any questions or comments submitted or raised at public forums surprised the mayor or the deputy mayor other than perhaps they did not know the dimensions of an official water polo field. But they quickly figured that one out. I am certain the committee will incorporate many of the comments and suggestions from the community as the plan moves forward."
He turned to the decision, saying the “pool is an integral part of scarsdale life that serves a wide range of residents from toddlers to seniors and should be cherished and improved to bring it to be a modern facility. And for that reason, alternative 1 of letting the pool run its course and build something else instead is not an option."
"In my opinion, Option 2 of bringing the existing pool up to code with renovation and replacement at a cost of $37m is not a sound financial decision for the residents of scarsdale. It merely kicks the real issue down the road again and this community will be confronted with a pool renovation project within 15 years. That is why i can not support that alternative either. We have been delaying making a decision on the pool project for too long and it is time we make a decision."
"That leaves options 3 and 4 – an outdoor only facility that can only be used during the summer months or an outdoor/indoor facility that could be used year round. They each have their own benefits and costs. In essence, do we spend approximately $23MM more for a 12 month facility."
"I am comfortable the once this new indoor/outdoor facility is completed, scarsdale membership will increase and usage will be high. As a result, i believe the pool’s operating finances will be self sustaining and, that Mr. Mayor should be one of our objectives as we move forward."
"Yes, our taxes will increase to support the facilities construction but i think that in the early years it will be modest and will translate in making scarsdale an even more desirable neighborhood to live in."
He continued, “I have concerns about traffic and parking ... I do not need a study to tell me that the traffic in the half mile strip on Mamaroneck Road will increase substantially. There are several playing fields, the Kids Base school, Saxon Woods Golf Course, four entrances or exits to the Hutch and one of two roads that go through Scarsdale from Post Road to Mamaroneck or Larchmont to get to i95. We will need to address the increase of traffic along this corridor to make sure that residents are not too inconvenienced."
He concluded by casting his vote in favor of moving ahead with the outdoor and indoor option.
Trustee Kofman echoed Goldschmidt’s comments and added, “I support investing in the full complex. For an additional 35% investment the Village gains a 350% increase in use (50 vs. 14 weeks) for a facility that will serve the community for many decades."
Kofman thought the financials might be more favorable than shown in the plans. He said, "For context, both metrics compare the Full Complex strategy to the Outdoor Only one. While the Full Complex is expected to require a 50% higher total investment, the ability to extend the debt service reduces the annual tax impact difference to approximately 35%. I think the current materials overstate the tax impact that residents will face. I think the impact will be materially lower.”
About membership levels he said, “In 2013 more than 2,000 memberships were sold, though last year only 1,100 memberships were sold. If we can get back half of those members the pool should be self-sustaining.”
Trustee Mazer said, “I am not much of a swimmer, so I based my thinking on what we heard from the community. From what we heard, the full-time facility is the preferred option. We heard from 250 residents – a small sample size of the community.”
“I am not sure we have reached out to all the unaffiliated residents who don’t pay attention to Village government. Have we communicated so that the vast majority of residents know what they options are?”
He wondered, “Are we going to be able to generate enough subscriptions to offset the expenses? The consultant’s estimates might not be bankable information. Are we going to generate enough membership fees to cover our operating expenses?”
However, despite his questions, he said, “Based on the feedback, I think the 12 month option is the way to go.”
Trustee Gans reflected, "Nine years ago, I stood at the dais and addressed the board about a proposed capital project that had plenty of support, but also vocal opposition. The question was, “Why are we spending so much money on a public library, when everyone can sit in their 5000 square foot mansions, read books on their kindle and get all of the information they’d ever need from their gigabit internet connection.” My answer then was, Scarsdale has a sense of community that is what brought most of us here in the first place. A library is a community institution, and if we say we no longer need those institutions, we lose an asset that holds our community together. And what was sometimes being lost in that discussion was that libraries had changed: Scarsdale was building a library for 2016 and the future, not rebuilding a 1950s-era library.
Turning to the pool: The Scarsdale pool is where many of our residents made their first memories as Scarsdale residents. They took their children there to meet people, learn to swim and take their first jump off the high dive. I bring this up, because we’ve received a lot of feedback questioning why the village would spend money on something like a year-round pool complex when not everyone will use it. The answer, of course, is because we are a community. The Village Board is responsible for making decisions in the betterment of the community as a whole, with the knowledge that some people may not utilize everything that we spend money on. So, as we did with the library, I think it makes sense to build a pool for the future. While many of us have cherished memories of the old pool, it has outlived its useful life, and it is time to build something new. Which is why I support the year-round option.
I do have a number of concerns, which I hope will be addressed moving forward. Primarily, my concerns relate to annual operating revenues and expenses. While I will not be on the Board when it comes time to vote on what to charge, if we were holding that vote today, I would be in favor of the assessment on each household as mentioned in the Ballard & King report. That way every resident could use the pool yearround, without considering the cost of an annual membership."
Trustee Wise, who participated in the development process said, “I am very much in favor of the pool. The work was above and beyond. I look at the major decisions I made in my life – getting married, buying a house and I was always able to make things work.
The pool will be helpful to the community. A diving pool is important. We should emphasize the playground for families. We can always make adjustments to make it work.
Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg said, “The beauty of the non-partisan system is that we are not supposed to come onto the board with an agenda. I had an opinion about the library before I came on the board, obviously, but no opinion about the pool. I was agnostic.”
“I am shocked that the community has shown overwhelming support – with comments and critiques. I am now in full support of the indoor-outdoor option because that seems to be what the community wants.”
“I think we should think about creating a separate diving pool which would allow for the outdoor leisure pool to have more leisure space and lap lanes.”
“I am shocked but thrilled that the community wants to invest in something that will benefit many generations moving forward. Should every resident be a member – should it be open to all residents? We will decide that later on. I want to thank the community for all your feedback and opinions.”
Mayor Justin Arest said, “This has been a long process.” He thanked his predecessors including Mayor Jane Veron along with former Trustee Ahuja and Trustee Brew.” He said, “I struggled with this ... To get to this point I felt that we at least needed to explore the indoor option. I have also been a bit surprised by the enthusiasm and level of support for the indoor-outdoor option. I am not in favor of the $36 million option. I do not think it is a smart use of taxpayer dollars… On the $47.5 million option, I understand people’s nostalgia for the existing pool and the enhanced seasonal facility would be great. But that is a lot of money to spend on something only available three to three and a half months a year. The $70 million option is certainly a lot of money…but it will offer the community an amenity that our community will love and enjoy for decades to come.”
“We thought we accomplished the right balance of lap lanes, walking areas and diving but we will be happy to reconsider and possibly make changes based on feedback. There was a lot of great feedback…Another example, is there a way to accommodate water polo without adding costs?”
He finished by saying, “I support the $70 million project.”
The consultant from Hill International explained the timeline, saying, “There are six months of design coming up. (The pool will be open in the summer of 2026)… Shovels in the ground September 2026 through 2027 – the pool will be out of commission. We will look to reopen for the 2028 season.”
A Public Referendum?
Arest then addressed the question of a Village-wide referendum on the project. He said, “As Trustees it is our responsibility to make decisions. We do not have the option of a referendum on a project. But we can do a referendum on a bond initiative – it would be up to residents to do that. And that would be a referendum on the bond authorization.”
Gans agreed, saying, "It is our job to make these decisions. That is why we are here. I am in favor without a referendum. Based 100% on community feedback.
Goldschmidt concurred, "I think it is our responsibility to move forward one way or another."
Trustee Wise noted that the Village was in a good position to take on more debt. He said, “The ratio of Scarsdale’s debt to the size of our budget is very low. We should be able to get a AAA rating and these bonds will fly off the shelf.”
Gruenberg agreed. She said, “It is not an easy decision. There has never been project of this magnitude. It is our responsibility to make this decision.”
With that, the Trustees agreed unanimously to move forward with the $70.4mm indoor-outdoor pool option, observed by a few people online and the Village staff in the audience.
The momentous decision was made after years of debate but the Board met little resistance from Scarsdale’s 17,000 residents. Were they informed? Do they have an opinion? Do they care? We will never know.
The next steps will be to accept a schematic design, move construction documents and bid out the work during the summer of 2026, a four-six week process.
Chatting with Trustees following the meeting, they mentioned that supplemental revenue streams would be available to fund the pool if membership fees were insufficient. Residents of neighboring towns are eager to join the pool and were permitted a limited number of memberships in the past few years. There is a shortage of venues for swim teams to hold practices and competitions and they have already expressed an interest in renting the facility when it is available.
Another factor that contributed to the trustees approval was the enthusiasm of empty nesters who own 50% of the homes in Scarsdale. This is one of the first initiatives to benefit older residents who no longer utilize the Scarsdale Schools, that represents the majority of their local tax burden. The promise of year-round swimming and pleasant meeting rooms won their support.
Though the construction estimates are large, so is the opportunity to house a first class indoor-outdoor pool in Scarsdale. The ultimate decision was made in a very quiet room, but the impact will be loudly felt in Scarsdale for generations to come.
See the entire pool presentation here.
At Village Hall: Trustee Commended for Saving a Life, LWVS Poses Questions About Pool Project
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At the final regular Village Board meeting of the year on Tuesday December 9 Mayor Justin Arest recognize Village staff for their hard work over the past year. He said, “Every department came together on Friday evening and led a successful Light the ‘Dale celebration.
Proclamation
Surprising Village Trustee Ken Mazer, Arest presented him with a proclamation for his courageous actions after he saved a life at a recent wedding reception. Recognizing that one of the guests was in distress, he performed chest compressions and CPR until help arrived, saving a woman’s life. The Mayor praised Mazer for his work as a Village Trustee, for raising money for the UJA and for serving as a Volunteer Firefighter for 20 years.
Pool Meetings
The Mayor announced that the final meetings to give feedback on the schematic designs of the proposed Scarsdale pool are this week. A work session will be held on December 16 at 7:30 pm to review the feedback and discuss next steps.
Public Comments
Marion Green of Butler Road was pleased that the Village was moving forward with sidewalks replacements. She said, “Don’t confuse sidewalks and pathways… Sidewalks run along roads and are for pedestrians only. They are stable and slip resistant surfaces. There are pathways that go through fields and parks. I don’t want appropriations in the budget for pathways.”
Debbie Bhatt and Eva Romas Wilson, representing the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, posed a list of questions to the Village Board regarding the proposed Pool Project: (see the questions at the end of this article.)
Susan Douglass of Crane Road called in and spoke about several matters:
-She congratulated the Village on a wonderful Light the ‘Dale celebration. As a member of the Scarsdale Forum Municipal Services Committee, she said she looked forward to working with the Board on improvements to the Village Center.
-She spoke about the practice of using gas powered leaf blowers to blow leaves into piles for pick-up by the Village. She said, “This practice is a failure. Many don’t follow the rules and they leave the leaves on the roadways – blocking drainage and traffic. The leaves are also slippery. Landscapers do it because there are no consequences. The current practice is not working. I would ask that the village reconsider leaf collection. It is a lose-lose process.”
-She also requested a crosswalk on Crane Road. She said, “High School students cross it to get to school.” She said, in just one morning, 25 people signed a petition to have a crosswalk there to make it safer. “This would be a great community service.”
Resolutions:
The Village Board agreed to a Banner Display Policy which provides clarity on requirements for those who want to place a banner in Chase Park or at Village Hall.
They approved the appointments of two new police officers. Ashley Farewell and Michael Quintana.
They approved a mutual aid agreement with Eastchester and Tuckahoe for enhanced policing skills and mutual aid for special emergencies. According to a memo from the Village, Scarsdale will join “Eastchester and Tuckahoe Police Department’s to become part of their Emergency Response Team. This team is a highly trained team that would be called out when a situation develops that requires a higher level of training than a general police officer receives. This type of team is called a “part-time” team in that it’s member’s primary responsibilities and duties are outside the team itself.”
Letters
The Village received three letters on the lack of sidewalks, leaf collection and mass surveillance. In an email from Josh Frankel, he include reporting on the use of Flock’s network of cameras to monitor protesters and activists.
Town Board
The Town Board approved the following statutory resolutions:
-Taylor Emanuel was named Town Clerk for a term of two years.
-The Journal News was named the official town newspaper
-Several banks were named official depositories for the Town of Scarsdale.
-The board designated the second Tuesday of every month for Village or Town meetings.
-O’Connor Davies LLP was named as independent auditors.
Reminder
The second installment of Village Tax is due before December 31, 2025.
Questions from the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale regarding the future of the pool complexThe Board of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (the “Board”) thanks members of the Village Administration (the “Administration”) and members of the Village Board of Trustees (the “BOT”) for this opportunity to ask questions about their Future of the Scarsdale Pool Complex Presentation (the “Presentation”). The Board also thanks the Working Group and the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee for their time and effort on this project. In keeping with the League’s history as a non-partisan watchdog organization with a deep commitment to Scarsdale, the Board offers some questions for your consideration.
Community Input
What was the selection process for determining who served on the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee? Has the Committee expanded as the potential uses have expanded? Does it include any Scarsdale residents who are not current pool users?
How many Scarsdale residents have provided feedback on the designs in the Presentation? Does this reflect the “clear community direction” the Village is seeking (slide 7)?
A timely decision on the future of the pool complex is essential in order to limit the closure to one summer instead of two. Aside from the effect on the project timeline, what is the rationale for not putting this proposal to a public vote?
Will you conduct a survey to determine which of the scenarios has the most support? If not, how will you determine which scenario to pick?
Financing, Construction and Operational Costs
What is the Village’s process to identify and measure risks (such as tariffs) to the project?
Please explain to the community the Request for Proposal process used to select the consulting, municipal advisory, rating agency, legal, and construction firms involved in this project. Is there a current estimate of these associated costs, and when will more detailed information be available? Additionally, will all services be competitively bid, or will any be sole-sourced based on cost or other criteria?
Which potential, “Value Engineering” opportunities do you plan to seek, and who will make those decisions?
What strategies to attract Scarsdale residents to the new facility are under consideration, considering that “larger non-resident participation has been necessary to avoid deficits” (slide 15)?
How was future enrollment for resident and non-resident permits projected (slide 46)?
The Operational Plan on slide 7 references potential rental fees to be charged to the Scarsdale High School Swim Team, USA Swim Team, and the Masters School Swim Program for the use of the proposed indoor facility. What was the rationale for including those particular groups in the plan and what feedback, if any, have you received from each concerning their potential use of the indoor facility?
Is the pool being designed to be a competitive pool?
Financing Options and Credit Rating Implications
What are the pros and cons regarding the use of Village Fund Balance for this project? And if this is pursued, how could this impact the Village’s current credit rating?
What happens if the actual costs exceed the bond amount?
What are the pros and cons of taking out a short-term loan or establishing a credit facility vs. issuing Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs)?
Do the BANs, which would precede the bond issuance, need a credit rating?
How will the BANs and the pool bond impact the Village’s overall debt service ratio and are there rating implications?
When will you meet with Moody’s Rating Agency and/or a municipal advisor to receive feedback on the outlook for a possible credit rating of the BANs and the bond issuance?
Will any existing debt be refinanced or retired to offset this new bond?
What are the pros and cons of pursuing private funding sources (such as the library’s combination public and private funding mechanism)?
Tax Impact
Does the Village have a long-term financial plan that will incorporate the pool project alongside other anticipated projects, such as the potential re-development of Freightway and Village Hall renovations, so that taxpayers may understand the pool project in the context of current municipal capital priorities?
Thank you for your attention to the League’s questions. We look forward to your responses.
Tree Licensing Law
Also – in from the Village a Tree Licensing Law will take effect on January 1, 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, all companies and individuals performing tree cutting, pruning, or removal in Scarsdale must obtain a Commercial Tree Service License from the Department of Public Works. The license applies to all tree work performed anywhere within the Village, whether the contractor is hired directly by a homeowner or working as a subcontractor.
This requirement, adopted under Local Law No. 6 of 2025, is intended to ensure that tree work in Scarsdale is performed safely, responsibly, and in accordance with Village environmental and noise regulations.
Complete applications and fees must be submitted to the Department of Public Works, 1001 Post Road. Licenses are issued on an annual basis and expire on December 31st of each year. The license fee is $250, which includes one vehicle decal; additional decals cost $10 each. Decals must be permanently displayed on the rear bumper or rear door of any vehicle used in the course of performing tree removal or related commercial tree services. At least one vehicle with a decal must be on the worksite.
Residents should also be aware that most private tree removals require a Tree Removal Permit from the Engineering Department under Chapter 281. A permit is required for the removal of any tree over 6 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH),
For more information about contractor licensing, please contact DPW at 914-722-1150. For information regarding tree removal permits, please contact the Engineering Department at 914-722- 1106 or visit the Village website for full guidance and forms.
Latimer Engages Local Residents by Forming 7 Citizens Task Forces
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On Monday December 1, U.S. Representative George Latimer (NY-16) announced the creation of seven citizen task forces. Each task force is comprised of residents who live or work in New York’s 16th District and chaired by a leader with expertise in the respective issue areas. The task force chairs will oversee organizational meetings with the aim to make recommendations to Rep. Latimer and his staff on legislation, funding, and administration policies that can benefit the residents of the 16th District.
The task forces will focus on the following seven areas:
-Energy & Environment
-Infrastructure
-Intergovernmental
-Veterans Affairs
-Foreign Policy & Military Affairs
-Jobs & Economy
-Social Services
“We are fortunate here in Westchester and the Bronx to have many talented and engaged people whose knowledge and expertise can benefit all our communities. We have assembled seven working groups with diverse professional backgrounds, and we are going to give them a chance to be part of how the sausage gets made in Washington,” said Rep. Latimer.
The task force Chair will convene an organizational meeting within the next 30 days and determine with Rep. Latimer’s staff the issues within the task force’s purview.
“When people think of Washington, they think of a concept in a faraway place that is out of reach and out of touch with everyday Americans. That is not how I have operated in my decades in public service. I have always sought community involvement and spend every day not in Washington meeting with residents in Westchester and the Bronx. Therefore, I am excited to bring the legislative process to my district,” Latimer concluded.
A number of prominent Scarsdale individuals will be serving on these task forces, including former Mayors Anne Janiak and Jane Veron and former Village Trustee and School Board Member Jonathan Lewis.
Task Forces, Chairs & Members:
Environment & Energy
Martin Rogowsky (Chair)
Nancy Seligson
Joe Carvin
John Isaac
Nina Orville
Infrastructure
Jonathan Lewis (Chair)
Morgen Fleisig
Harmeet Goindi
Noel Ellison
Rich Nightingdale
Dylan Pyne
Michael Stanton
Intergovernmental
Nancy Kaboolian (Chair)
Richard Harley
Chance Mullen
Hector Santana
Anne Janiak
Megan Glander
Ben Boykin
Veterans Affairs
Kevin Megett (Chair)
Bill Goodenough
Bob Cypher
Joe Bello
Rod Carlson
Foreign Affairs & Military Affairs
Asha Castleberry (Chair)
Betty Cotton
Bill Schrag
Tony Kollarmalil
Andy Laub
Jobs & Economy
Jane Veron (Chair)
Meena Thever
Andrew Regenstriech
Mark McLean
Kansas Asadoorizin
Beth Cheverie
Darnell Lopez
Valon Nikci
Social Services
Jane Fisher (Chair)
Judy Troilo
Beatriz Coronel
Maritza Fludd
Judith Watson
Tom Gabriel
Village and Schools Boards Confer on Capital Projects and More
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The Village Board and the School Board held a pre-Thanksgiving work session on Tuesday November 25 to discuss items of mutual interest to both boards.
Police
The meeting opened with Scarsdale Police Chief Steven DelBene reviewing the department’s collaboration with the schools to keep children safe.
After the school shootings at Sandy Hook in 2012, police began patrolling the two to three schools each day. The walk throughs helped police familiarize themselves with the layouts and workings of each school – and served to get staff and students used to seeing police in the schools. Though the initiative initially caused panic, now it has become commonplace.
Police also use school facilities for defensive tactic and active shooter training. The training is conducted on matted gym floors at the high school when students are not present. This is a federally funded program and the availability of school facilities allows police to attract trainers to host sessions for multiple departments.
Since 2022, police have access to school cameras which they can open in emergency situations such as fires or lockdowns.
Another collaboration involves Youth Detective Moleski who teaches over 30 classes at Scarsdale Middle School and Scarsdale High School.
Commenting on the collaboration, Mayor Justin Arest said he was grateful for the relationship which has made significant improvements since 2018. He said that he attended a recent active shooter training session and was impressed.
School Board member Amber Yusuf asked if police were looking at solutions for parking around the schools? She said, “Can we remove the 3-hour school parking limitations? I think there is a real problem with student parking – if they cannot park at the Girl Scout house students will get more tickets.”
Joint Field Study
Village Manager Alex Marshall reported that as a result of the Joint Field Study between the Village and the schools, the Village is proceeding with a turf field and parking lot at Winston Field. Funds are in the 2026 Village budget and traffic and a parking studies have been done. New tennis courts are also being built at Crossway.
The schools are considering field work to be funded by the upcoming school bond. In the plans are a turf field at Scarsdale Middle School that would allow for more playing time when the ground is wet. Two new basketball courts at Scarsdale Middle School are planned along with a field for the varsity girls softball team to be constructed at Greenacres School.
Also in the works is the addition of a turf practice field at Scarsdale High School. Plans have now been submitted to the state for approval and they hope to build it in the spring or summer.
The Mayor requested that if the Scarsdale Middle School project moves forward, culverts or retention basins could be installed underneath the turf to alleviate flooding.
Capital Projects
The two boards then turned to discussion of proposed capital projects:
Deputy Village Manager Dara Gruenberg explained that the Village is now considering three options for replacement of the Scarsdale Pool Complex.
The options are:
-A full indoor/outdoor pool complex with locker rooms, meeting rooms and more at $70.4mm
-An enhanced outdoor-only complex at $47 mm
-Replacement of the current facility: $35mm
-Close the pool complex.
There have been numerous public sessions to get feedback. The Village Board will hold a work session on December 16, 2025 to decide which way to go. She asked the school administration to consider whether or not they would use the pool for physical education classes for students.
School Board member Bob Klein raised the issue of the timing of large projects by both the schools and the Village. However the Mayor explained that the Village must move forward now to prevent the closure of the pool for more than one summer.
School Superintendent Andrew Patrick discussed the four components of the ongoing bond discussions.
Under consideration for spatial work are additions to Fox Meadow and Edgewood Elementary Schools and renovations of the libraries at Heathcote and the Scarsdale Middle School.
There is a long list of infrastructure upgrades to bring buildings up to current code.
The proposal includes funds to add air conditioning to large spaces such as cafeterias and gymnasiums at all seven schools as global warming is making it challenging to use these facilities when temperatures rise.
Last there are the field projects previously discussed.
At the December 15 meeting of the Board of Education, the board will hear a presentation of estimated construction costs. They now have prioritized about $113mm in work, and the Board has asked the administration to trim that to $100mm. the $10mm bond exceeds the current debt neutral $40mm bond that falls off in 2027-28 by $60 mm.
Freightway Garage
Last there was a brief discussion of the possibility of resuscitating plans to develop the Freightway site. Mayor Arest said the Village was looking to partner with the schools on developing plans which could enhance the Village and raise additional tax revenues. He said the Village would continue to maintain the garage until new plans were in place.
Village Board Meeting
Following the work session the Board of Trustees held their regular meeting and approved the following:
Placement of a menorah in Boniface Circle from December 5-8 by Westchester Reform Temple
Placement of a creche by IHM Church in Boniface Circle from December 19, 2025- January 2, 2026.
Acceptance of a gift of $159,871 from the Scarsdale Little League for the purchase and installation of dugouts, bleachers and fencing at Crossway Fields 1 and 2.
Appointment of Leo Naughton to the Committee for Historic Preservation.
Appointment of Seth Morgulas to the Board of Architectural Review.
Hiring Capitol Market Advisors to provide strategic financial consulting to the Village.
A Concrete Step Forward on Rebuilding Scarsdale Sidewalks
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- Written by: Sharon Higgins
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In response to months of advocacy from the Council on People with Disabilities, the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees held a work session on sidewalks and paving on Tuesday November 18, 2025 to address their concerns.
Village engineers opened the conversation with a recap of their study on the condition of Scarsdale’s 20 miles of sidewalks. A key early question centered on whether to rebuild the sidewalks with asphalt or concrete. Engineers and board members quickly aligned on concrete as the long-term solution: although more expensive upfront, concrete lasts 40–50 years compared to asphalt’s 10, making it significantly more cost-effective over time. They noted that asphalt may still be used for urgent temporary repairs when needed.
From there, the discussion turned to prioritization, staging, funding, and timelines. Engineers identified 6.5 miles of sidewalks rated “poor” or “failing,” ultimately recommending that the first-year pilot focus on 1.3 miles of the highest-use, highest-risk sections, namely sidewalks near schools, transit, and commuter routes. Mayor Justin Arest agreed that the village should move forward with a concrete-based rebuild beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Board currently has $295,000 allocated for sidewalks, but engineers estimate $700,000 is needed for the first phase, setting off a discussion about securing the remaining $400,000. Trustees emphasized that the initiative is focused on rebuilding existing sidewalks, not adding new ones at this time.
Residents offered thoughtful and passionate input during the public comment portion. Elizabeth Lawrence thanked village leadership for listening to residents and urged a multi-year plan, ideally within five years, to replace all asphalt sidewalks with concrete. She referenced successful work around the library as an example. She also noted that deteriorating sidewalks pose “a legal liability and a hazardous condition, especially for those with special needs.” Fox Meadow resident Marian Green voiced strong support for concrete, calling it an investment with an “immediate ROI and long term” impact, while urging the Board not to allow the project to become a slow, incremental “drip, drip, drip” process. Mayor Arest assured her that this is not the intention.
Longtime resident Barbara Greenbel, who has lived in Scarsdale for 60 years and recalls the construction of the original sidewalks, expressed satisfaction with the improvements near the library and pond, and asked the Board to examine the sidewalks on Fenimore Road. Resident Tom Schiera spoke about the need for safer crosswalks at Popham and Church Lane, sharing that his son, who has since recovered, was hit by a car on his electric bicycle at that location. Via Zoom, Susan Matula echoed the community’s gratitude and noted that while sidewalk maintenance has been underfunded for years, she is encouraged that this Board “appreciates the problem at hand and is ready to open the purse strings.”
After the meeting, Marian Green, Chair of the Scarsdale Advisory Council of People with Disabilities, noted that it has taken eight months of steady work to reach this point and said she left the meeting feeling optimistic. She emphasized that while the effort may have been initiated because people with disabilities struggle to navigate the deteriorated sidewalks, “It will enhance all pedestrian safety, from commuters, school children, parents, joggers, walk-to-worshippers, dog walkers, and anyone else who enjoys the pleasure of walking.”
In the end, the meeting marked a meaningful step toward safer, longer-lasting sidewalks and while funding and phasing details remain ahead, the shared commitment from village leaders and residents suggests that Scarsdale is finally on a real path to progress and lasting improvements.
