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Written by Jon Mark

Published: 30 May 2017

Created: 30 May 2017

Last Updated: 30 May 2017

Hits: 4186

On May 29th in Scarsdale Village, a chilly rain could not stop Commander Thomas V. Adamo of Scarsdale Post 52 of the American Legion, Village officials and a core group of Village residents from honoring the brave men and women who have fallen in defense of our country. A somewhat shortened parade that included war veterans, members of the Scarsdale Police Department, the Scarsdale Fire Department, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts circled the Village Center to the drum cadence of the Scarsdale High School band. In accordance with long standing Village tradition, a wreath was laid at Boniface Circle and taps was sounded. Dr. John F. M. Flynn, a history professor with a 29-year career in the United States Army Reserves during which he rose to the rank of Colonel addressed the crowd of more than 100 on-lookers who listened respectfully under a driving rain. Other speakers included Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Mayor Dan Hochvert and U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel. Trustees Callaghan, Pekarek, Samwick and Veron were also in attendance. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for the Boy Scouts to announce 17 Eagle Scout Awards and the Girl Scouts to announce two Gold Awards.

Photos of the event were provided by Sam Blieden, article by former Mayor of Scarsdale Jon Mark.

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Written by Elizabeth Marrinan

Published: 06 June 2017

Created: 06 June 2017

Last Updated: 10 September 2024

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On May, 23, 2017 members of the Freightway Steering Committee (FSC) met to tour the Freightway site and the Village Center with Frank Fish and Jonathan Martin from BFJ Planning. The rain let up and the group walked from the Village Center, across the Popham Road Bridge to the "open lot" or the valet parking lot. Looking up at the bridge on one side and the aging parking structure on the other, the group discussed urban design issues, the opportunities presented by the site's topography, its current usage and future potential. The group then moved to the top of the Freightway garage for a birds-eye view of the entire 2.3 acre site and discussed access opportunities to the train station and the Village Center, integration to the existing neighborhood and potential development impacts.

The Walking Tour is one step in the Village's visioning study to guide potential redevelopment of the Freightway Site, the underutilized area adjacent to the Scarsdale Metro North Railroad Station. The purpose of the study is to provide a community-based vision to ensure future redevelopment enhances the Village Center and meets local needs. Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have focused on the site, due to its key location in the Village Center. The Village is renewing its planning efforts, given the current condition of the Freightway Garage and the anticipated need for repairs and improvements.

Toward that end, the Village Board appointed the FSC to create goals and objectives for the future development of an attractive, economically viable project on the site. BFJ Planning has been retained to provide technical support. The First Freightway Redevelopment Study Public Workshop will be held on Monday, June 12th, from 7-9 PM in Rutherford Hall at Village Hall, 1001 Post Road.

The FSC welcomes all interested residents, property owners, merchants and other stakeholders to attend and share their thoughts on the vision, goals and objectives for the site. Two additional workshops will be held in the fall to continue the conversation and provide opportunities for feedback on the vision. An online survey will also be launched over the summer. For further information visit the project web site: www.scarsdale.com/fw . Email comments to Freightwaystudy@scarsdale.com or contact Elizabeth Marrinan at 722-1132.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 24 May 2017

Created: 24 May 2017

Last Updated: 25 May 2017

Hits: 4947

On Tuesday May 23 the Village Board considered a new measure to regulate the sale of guns and declared June 2 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Scarsdale. The National Gun Violence Awareness Day initiative was championed by a group called Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Westchester Chapter, who attended the meeting wearing their orange shirts.

Representing the group, Pat Colella urged everyone to wear orange on June2 to raise awareness of gun violence. Last year 150,000 cities participated in the movement. Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was formed in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Gun violence kills 93 Americans each day and the group advocates for stronger laws and policies to effect change. The group will hang orange ribbons around lampposts in the Village in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Colella urged residents to advocate against proposed state legislation called "Concealed Carry Reciprocity," which would allow those with concealed firearm agreements from other states to carry concealed weapons into New York.

Prior to the Board of Trustees, the Law Committee, lead by Trustee Carl Finger, explored legislation that would restrict gun sales to a certain area of the Village. Their hope is that restricting zones where guns can be sold will discourage gun dealers from opening in Scarsdale. Rye Brook is considering similar legislation after a gun dealer opened in Harrison. A resolution will be drafted by Village staff and a public hearing on the matter will be held.

Scarsdale Library Renovation:

Several members of the Board of the Scarsdale Library were present along with Library Director Beth Bermel as the Board of Trustees voted on two major contracts that will move the plans to renovate and expand the library forward.

The Village agreed to a contract with Dattner Architects, who designed the building, for a fee of $1,298,000 for architectural design development and for construction documents and bid services.

In addition the Village approved a contract with Savin Engineers to provide construction management for the addition and renovation of the Scarsdale Library. The fee for construction management is $583,000.

At their May 15 meeting, the Library Board of Trustees, bearing the fiscal responsibility for library budget items, approved the terms of these contracts with Dattner Architects and Savin Engineers, as recommended by the Library Building Committee. Village Trustees authorized the Village Manager to execute the contracts. These contracts are funded in total by private funds. Updates on the progress of the Library's Capital Campaign are made quarterly by Beth Bermel, Library Director. The next update is at the June 13 meeting

The Village accepted gifts of $10,000 from Carol Stix in honor of her late husband Edgar Stix and $25,000 from Lindsay and Jordan Zaken for the library master plan improvement project.

Sale of Village-owned Property:

The Village agreed to sell a foreclosed property at 32 Ferncliff Road to the highest bidder, Dominic Marchese of 505 West Street Harrison, NY, for $956,300. The house sits on two tax lots totaling 10,454 square feet with 100 feet of road frontage.

Sidewalk Sale:

The Village Board approved the annual Sidewalk Sale in Scarsdale Village to be held from Thursday July 27 through Saturday July 29 from 10 am to 5pm each day.

Art Installation:

The Village Board authorized the Scarsdale Arts Council to sponsor two temporary art exhibits at Chase Park with works from Simone Kestelman. The works include "Pearl Necklace" and five painted boulders which will be on display from May 29 to September 4 in the park.

Development at Freightway Garage:

Trustee Marc Samwick announced that a meeting about development at the Freightway Garage site would be held on May 31 at 7 pm with a public workshop on June 12. Those who want to attend the public workshop should RSVP to freightwaystudy@scarsdale.com. There will be a public walking tour as well – including a trip to the top to see the view. Samwick said the Village is hoping to find a way to get this done.

Communications:

Trustee Jane Veron announced that the Village will soon start to send out community e-blasts and will also issue a survey about communications from the Village.

Salary Increases for 2017-18:

Salary increases of 2% were approved for Village department heads and non-union personnel for 2017-2018.

Here are the settlements by bargaining unit for 2017-18.

Police (PBA) – 3%
CSEA Village Hall: 2%
CSEA Library: 2.0%
IBT Public Works 2%
IBT Facilities Maintenance: 2.0%
IBT Crossing Guards: 2.0%

Appointments to Boards and Councils:

Jennifer Barrett was appointed to the Council on Parks and Recreation and Seema Jaggi was appointed to the Conservation Advisory Council.

Public Comments:

A moment of levity occurred during the public comments section when Bob Harrison complained that the Village Attorney would not let him use the legal books in his office so that Harrison could help residents file tax grievances to reduce their real estate taxes. He said, "They (the legal books) are paid for by Scarsdale taxpayers and should be available for Scarsdale residents to examine." Village Attorney Wayne Esannason refused, saying, "Mr. Harrison, there are boundaries. Just because you are a taxpayers does not mean you are entitled to utilize police cars, fire trucks or backhoes. You have to respect boundaries. You can't expect me to help you defend a determination that the Village has made!"