Changing the Paradigm: Let's Seek Innovative Solutions for Stormwater Management in Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This is the opinion of Scarsdale10583 site founder Joanne Wallenstein)
Sitting in Village Hall for too many nights this month I heard repeated stories from residents about water woes in their homes and streets. Pooling, flooding and wet basements are common. A woman who lives near the library said, “We all have our sump pumps running 24/7. We have to get new pumps every two years as they burn out.” She has asked the Village to inspect the flooded street in front of her house repeatedly to no avail.
Another resident, who lives next to the Crossway firehouse explained that he is downstream from a rollicking waterflow. Every time it rains the catch basin on the Village owned property next to his house overflows onto his driveway. When he calls the Village for help, no one comes. He fears that if more homes are built upstream it will pose a real risk to his property.
A young woman who purchased a new house reports that when it rains she can’t sleep at night. Why? Because she has to be at the ready to put out sandbags to block water from infiltrating her basement.
These reports come from residents at land use board meetings in response to applications to build more homes, driveways and garages in their neighborhoods. The applicants accompanied by their lawyers, architects, landscaping experts and engineers come before the board to seek variances to build in the 25 foot flood plain buffer, or even to build in the FEMA flood plain. This week, the engineer representing the applicants who wanted to build in the FEMA flood plain was asked to explain why he proposed building the driveway in the floodplain – and he shrugged off concerns saying, “It will only accumulate about 6 inches of water in a 25-year storm.”
For that project, the property owners purchased an undeveloped lot in a FEMA flood plain. Were they aware of the building restrictions at the time of purchase? They seemed surprised by the resistance to their plans from the neighbors and the Planning Board. In fact the applicants said, “the Village engineer has been so helpful to us and spent hours trying to come up with a plan.”
Similar praise for help from the Village Engineering Department came from a developer who is attempting to build on an undeveloped wet lot over a watercourse that was formerly a pond in East Heathcote. Apparently the Village helped the applicant design a plan to reroute the watercourse off this property and into the Village right of way. As the lot in question currently serves as a drainage area for both upstream and downstream neighbors they are understandably alarmed by the river coming their way.
Putting aside the specifics of each project, a few things are now clear:
-Scarsdale has many wet areas, where the water table is too high to build.
-The more we build, the more we flood.
-Our land use boards are spending countless hours reviewing individual applications that usually add more stress to our environment.
Perhaps it’s time to turn this problem around. Instead of battling with builders to prevent the flooding from getting worse, how about seeking pro-active solutions to deal with rising water levels?
Here are a few ideas:
In order to protect the property of current homeowners let’s refocus our energy on designing innovative stormwater management projects that will channel rising water in the right direction.
Let’s empower Village personnel to redirect their energies from assisting builders in getting around Village code to finding solutions for current residents who are suffering the twin problems of rising water and climate change. Ask staff to analyze water issues and maps, research possible solutions, design projects and seek grants for stormwater projects that will improve our infrastructure. Task the Engineering and Public Works Departments with designing projects for the public good, rather than assisting those who are causing more issues. Charge Village staff with coming up with solutions that will shield Scarsdale from the ever more frequent 100-year rainstorms.
Explore public private partnerships to turn private land into Village assets. Rather than create a subdivision that will undoubtedly exacerbate flooding, why not work with property owners to create a watercourse and retention pond with timed release waterflows to alleviate flooding both upstream and downstream.
Wetlands Park
For example on Garden Road, developers have proposed to bring in tons of landfill in order to build an eight home subdivision in a wetlands. Flooded neighbors have retained a law firm to bar this project that they fear will cause even more damage to their homes. Why not look into solutions like the creation of a wetlands park on the site with a retention pond and raised walkways so that residents and wildlife can enjoy the environment and neighbors can be shielded from further water flows? The innovative 7 acre retention pond at George Field is the largest pond in Westchester County. Let's continue the good work.
Open Space
To protect our vanishing open spaces, can the Village buy back open lots and use the space to create culverts, swales and pocket parks to increase permeable surfaces?
How about offering residents tax breaks for leaving open lots undeveloped?
Land Use Boards
Can a body such as the Planning Board help to craft solutions to the problems we are experiencing rather than spending night after night negotiating with those who only seek to exacerbate the issues? Certainly we have skilled and forward thinking volunteers in Scarsdale who could assist in planning forward thinking stormwater management solutions for the public good.
Ad Hoc Committee
We already have a building moratorium in place as a first step in reconsidering our building code, enforcement and the approval and variance process. To move this forward, the Board of Trustees should consider harnessing the expertise of talented residents by forming a task force on stormwater management. They could help to define and analyze the current water problems, investigate best practices around the country and make a strategic plan for addressing a complex issue that will be with us in the years to come.
Let’s take positive steps to control the water, protect existing homes and to create open spaces and recreational areas that are a part of the solution. Just as Scarsdale is a leader in education, we can be at the forefront of environmental management and design model stormwater infrastructure projects.
We all know why people want to live in Scarsdale, but unless we fix what's wrong and develop strong ordinances to protect the environment and deal with climate change the town will no longer be what we've made it.
Proposed NYS Congressional Maps Look Very Similar to Former Maps
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The long awaited redistricting map of New York’s congressional districts was released by the NYS Independent Redistricting Commission this week. The news is that it looks much like the former map that was drawn by a court appointed special master and used for the 2022 election. You can see the new map here. If this new map is passed by the NYS Legislature, Scarsdale will continue to be in Congressional District 16, now represented by Jamaal Bowman. However that seat is currently being challenged by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and many were awaiting the new map to see how it might affect the outcome of the primary challenge.
Commenting on the new map, Latimer said, “This is only the next step in a long process; it is now in the hands of the legislature, and we are confident in the ability of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie to complete this process fully and fairly. Regardless of the timing or the ultimate disposition of the lines, we look forward to continuing to bring our message of progressive results that benefit the people of our area, in whatever neighborhood they live and in whatever jurisdictions are ultimately assigned to CD-16.”
Here is an explanation of the recent history of redistricting in New York State:
Redistricting happens every 10 years after each census. The 2020 census triggered many changes in New York due to population changes throughout the state and the loss of one congressional district. After a contentious redistricting process, the NYS Assembly and NYS Senate maps for the 2024 elections have been settled. However, the Congressional map has not been finalized. New York State is critical as we have 26 seats in the House of Representatives and several competitive districts. This is why what happened yesterday is so important.
After the 2020 census, the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) was formed to draw a new Congressional map for NYS. The IRC was not able to agree on a single map and submitted 2 competing maps. These maps were then rejected by the Legislature. The IRC had a constitutional duty to submit a new map proposal but did not do so. As a result, the State Legislature drew its own map.
The map passed by the State Legislature was challenged in court and deemed unconstitutional. The Courts determined that because the IRC had not proposed a second map after its first set of maps were rejected, the Legislature did not have the authority to introduce and pass its own map. A court-appointed special master then drew the Congressional map that was used for the 2022 elections. Following those elections, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled in late 2023 that the maps used for those elections were not permanent, and the IRC should send a second Congressional map proposal to the Legislature.
On February 15, the IRC met in Albany and voted to send a new Congressional map to the State Legislature. Unlike two years ago, the Commissioners were able to agree on a single proposal, which passed by a nine to one vote. That map must now be voted on by both houses of the State Legislature and, if approved, be signed into law by the Governor. If the State Legislature rejects the IRC proposal, or if the Governor vetoes the proposal, then the State Legislature may, with certain legal limitations, amend the rejected map and pass its own Congressional map.
For most districts, the Congressional map proposed by the IRC is similar to the existing, special master drawn map. For Westchester’s two Congressional districts (CD-16 and CD-17), the IRC proposal makes no changes within Westchester County. The proposed CD-16 is identical to the existing district, and the only changes to CD-17 are minor adjustments within the Town of Beekman in Dutchess County. Statewide, the most significant changes are to Congressional Districts 18, 19, and 22.
Scarsdale Inquirer Suspends Publication After 123 Years
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The digital edition of the January 12, 2024 issue of the Scarsdale Inquirer(Updated January 29, 2024) The Scarsdale Inquirer, a community newspaper and an institution in Scarsdale, announced that it had suspended publication on January 16, 2024. The paper has been published weekly for 123 years, since its founding on July 4, 1901. The news was sudden and unexpected by staff and readers.
Though the regular digital version of the paper was published on Thursday January 11, 2024, the paper itself failed to appear on Friday January 12, 2024 or anytime over the three day holiday weekend. Some assumed that it was delayed due to Martin Luther King Day and the snow, but it turned out the paper was not to come at all.
The Scarsdale Village Board was among the first to learn the news. The Village publishes legal notifications of their meetings in the newspaper and was advised on Tuesday January 16 that notice of a Planning Board meeting to be held on January 24 had not appeared in the paper. The Board was forced to delay that meeting until January 31 as proper notice had not been given.
Without their own news channel available, on Wednesday January 17, both the editor Valerie Abrahams and senior reporter Todd Sliss turned to social media to let their readers know what had happened.
Sliss, who has reported on sports, the schools, the Village and more said this on the social network X:
“Devastated to say I was laid off from @ScarsInquirer Monday. Spent my entire adulthood covering Scarsdale/Edgemont in a variety of ways. So many memorable stories/people/events the last 24 years. It saddens me to think about the stories I won't be telling this week and beyond.”
And Valerie Abrahams, the paper’s Editor in Chief indicated that they might be back, saying, “The Scarsdale Inquirer has suspended publication as we look for solutions to bring us back to financial sustainability. — Per statement from Publisher”
The first sign that something was amiss was in November 2023 when Scarsdale Living, the company’s quarterly lifestyle magazine was supposed to appear. Though the issue, dated Fall/Winter 2023 is accessible online, it was never printed, distributed or mailed to subscribers.
However it wasn’t clear if the missed publication was a single event or a harbinger of things to come.
Indeed times are rough for print publications and media. In November 2023 a study by Northwestern University reported that an average of 2.5 newspapers closed each week in 2023 compared to two a week the previous year, a reflection of an ever-worsening advertising climate. In the case of the Scarsdale Inquirer, there was likely a loss in subscription revenue as well.
On social media in Scarsdale, many asked what they could do to revive the paper and suggested a Go Fund Me page. Others noted the loss of big advertisers such as Zachys, and the real estate agencies that used to take out multiple page spreads in each issue.
Whether or not readers can provide enough support to revive the paper is yet to be seen.
We reached out to some former employees of the paper and here is what Todd Sliss said:
"My entire journalism career, my entire adulthood, has been spent covering the unique communities of Scarsdale and Edgemont. Over the years my roles have evolved and changed for a multitude of reasons and I enjoyed every challenge I was presented with. To have production of the paper suspended has been a great personal loss for me and my dedicated longtime co-workers, in addition to the communities we serve. The outpouring of support and offers to help we have received lets us know how valued we are and how important our work has been to generations of readers. I don't know what the future holds for myself or the Inquirer, but I hope both are bright."
"On a personal and professional level I thank former editor Linda Leavitt and publisher Deborah White for taking a chance on me out of college and for allowing me the freedom to grow and do my job, in addition to making it possible for me to work remotely before it was a thing when my first son was born almost 17 years ago. Many still remember me pushing my boys around in strollers while doing Focal Points or covering games. Working full-time and being able to spend so much time with my kids has been a true blessing and something I will always cherish."
Commenting on the news, Scarsdale resident Susan Levine had this to say: "My fantasy has long been that our Village would wish to support The Scarsdale Inquirer, our excellent local newspaper, and as a result every family would get the paper every week and be informed. I am very sad to lose the paper and hope that it does return."
Lose The Plastic Bag
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- Written by Joan Weissman
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(Submitted by the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council)
Reminder: Don’t Line Recycling Bins with Plastic Bags
Please place commingled recyclables LOOSE in bins.
Plastic bags should not line or be placed in recycling bins. They cannot be recycled with your recyclables and worse yet they get tangled in the recyclingequipment at Westchester's Material Recovery Facility (where our recycling is processed) which damages the equipment and causes the machinery to break and be shut down. By keeping plastic bags out of recycling bins, residents play an important role in making Scarsdale's recycling program a continued success.
What to do with plastic bags?
Scarsdale has established a plastic bag and plastic film recycling program. Residents can recycle these items by bringing them to Scarsdale's Recycling Center (110 Secor Road) which is open Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm. A list of what is considered plastic film can be found here.
For more information on Scarsdale's recycling programs, visit here.
Removing Invasive Vines and Planting for Pollinators
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- Written by Elaine Weir
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(This article was submitted by the Scarsdale Forum's Sustainability Comittee and Friends of the Scarsdale Parks)
On a wintry afternoon on Sunday, January 7th, Scarsdale Forum’s Sustainability Committee and Friends of the Scarsdale Parks co-sponsored a presentation on protecting our trees and shrubs from invasive vines and planting pollinator gardens. The program attracted over fifty-five people who participated in person and on Zoom.
Bob DelTorto, president of the Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy, addressed the importance of removing invasive vines. By training hundreds of volunteers to cut vines he has saved thousands of trees. He focused on three problematic vines invading Westchester County.
Porcelain berry may grow over 40 feet in thick mats, killing trees and shrubs by blocking sunlight. Bob calls Oriental bittersweet the “boa constrictor” of vines, smothering a tree to death by girdling and blocking light. English ivy, the ubiquitous but highly destructive plant, not only kills mature trees by girdling its truck and limbs, but provides a reservoir for bacterial leaf scorch which causes premature browning, leaf drop, and eventual death of the tree.
Bob emphasized that preserving our established canopy of mature trees helps us and our environment, while newly planted trees take decades of growth before providing similar benefits. Trees combat climate change by absorbing CO2; cleaning the air of polluting gases and particulates; providing atmospheric oxygen; creating shade that cools street heat islands; and conserving energy by reducing air conditioning demands. Trees cool the air by releasing water vapor from their leaves, and help prevent soil erosion, flooding, and water pollution by slowing rainwater runoff. Tree roots act like a sponge that filters water naturally and recharges groundwater. Trees provide habitat for a variety of species.
After the presentation numerous participants volunteered to cut vines in Scarsdale.
Margie Lavender, active in Hasting’s Pollinator Pathway, recommended native plants that support wildlife and create climate resilience. Such nature-based gardening creates a vibrant ecosystem safe for families and pets. Our lawns, modeled after 18th century formal gardens, are pollinator deserts. Margie recommended:
• Not using pesticides or herbicides unless applied carefully, without spraying, and only for severe problems.
• Replacing lawn with native shrubs, trees, and perennials.
• Cutting grass lawns high, four to six inches, to allow for blooms like clover, crocus, and violets.
• Providing a water source for birds and other pollinators.
• Leaving autumn leaves in borders and mulch mowing remaining leaves to enrich soil and lawns.
• Planting a succession of blooms in large drifts to enhance visibility to pollinators from the air.
• Planting native oaks, the single most ecologically important tree that supports over 500 species.
Trees and pollinators need our help. Scarsdale has lost thousands of trees. There are 3 billion fewer birds in North America today than in 1970 and 40% fewer insects including butterflies, bumblebees, and fireflies. Pollinators are responsible for supporting 80–95% of plant species. Because the majority of local green space is privately owned, this ecological battle to protect and conserve our tree canopy and ensure the survival of pollinators needs to be fought in our own backyards.
Scarsdale Forum Inc. Sustainability Committee
Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, Inc.
Scarsdale Forum Inc.
Contact elaine.weir.sherman@gmail for more information about its vine cutting project
Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, Inc.
Contact [email protected] for more information about its vine cutting and pollinator garden projects
