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Published: 16 December 2010

Created: 16 December 2010

Last Updated: 16 December 2010

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Opponents of the proposed indoor pool and community center (SCC) spoke up at the Board of Trustees Meeting on December 14, to voice their concern about the Village taking on $16 million in debt to back the project. An array of financial professionals and concerned citizens attended in an effort to discourage the Trustees from moving forward with the project. An enthusiastic group of SCC supporters had addressed the Trustees at a December 6th meeting and the opposition was slower to rally.

Michael Weinstein of Butler Road warned Trustees that “when things are priced for perfection the situation is ripe for financial catastrophe.” A Wall Street professional, Weinstein offered his own analysis of the SCC budget projections, casting doubt on resident’s willingness to pay higher fees each year to pay the operating costs for the facility and pay back the debt. According to Weinstein, 41% of the revenues are forecast for debt service, which he called “extreme financial leverage.”

He also discussed a similar project in Greenwich where plans had to be cut back when costs ballooned and the Greenwich Y fell short on funds. He asked the Trustees not to borrow funds for the projects and said that the SCC should be 100% self-financed.

Linda Killian of Forest Lane spoke as a resident and as a financial analyst. She stated that though Scarsdale is financially healthy, revenues are falling, taxes have gone up and we have been forced to focus on only critical services. We are already undertaking the renovation of the police headquarters and will need to borrow funds to alleviate flooding. In her analysis, taking on an additional $16 million in debt to fund the SCC, would bring the Scarsdale debt level to $44 million, which is the size of the entire town’s operating budget. She felt that this would be a misuse of municipal borrowing power, as 10%-15% of residents would benefit from the facility, while burdening the remaining 85% of the population with the debt.

Bill Ortner of Butler Road said that a $16 million bond would “put our credit rating at risk. “ He added that, “We should not be in the business of supporting a private enterprise.” In addition, he said, “Though the SCC plans assumes that there are 1,100 memberships, there are really only 770 families who signed up and paid $650. As far as I know no one has been asked whether they are still signed on.” He told the Trustees that a group called “Save Our Scarsdale” had posted an online petition against the pool project that day, and that there were already 86 signatures.

Katrina Vidal of 32 Crane Road told the group that her family was “among the founding families for the SCC many years ago. We subscribed at $625. We have been here 25 years. We are now opposed to taking out a bond to subsidize the pool. The economy has changed, our kids are gone and grown and we don’t expect fellow taxpayers to fund (the indoor pool) for our benefit. We urge you to think about those who are conscious of expenses.”

Robert November of 73 Walworth, a co-president of the SCC took the podium to correct a few of the statements, telling the group that the “SCC welcomes a financial review” and that “it is true that we had 1,200 families sign up, though not everyone is at the full membership number.” The “dues levels were set 10 years ago and we have not attempted to replace old members.”

Jimmy Fink said, “ I have lived here for 22 years. I echo everything that all those before me said in opposition to the project. I wrote a letter to Scarsdale10583, and received many comments. I know that those in favor are very well organized. I am surprised they did not comment. I will submit what I wrote and include people’s comments. Though I do not work on Wall Street … I am a rock and roll disc jockey, I agree with Mr. Weinstein.”

Paul Henderson of 55 Garden Road expressed his concerns, saying, “Doubling the town’s debt may be ill advised. Though it is a great project it only benefits a minority. He also questioned the process of moving forward on the project without a town referendum and asked the Board to think about the process.

Henderson said that he was concerned that half the members of the Board of Trustees are founding members of the SCC. He said, “One of the strengths of Scarsdale is the non-partisan system. It tends to work.” He warned “if the Board pushes this through without a referendum I will become very politically involved.”

Trustee Jonathan Mark addressed Henderson’s issue about a potential conflict of interest, saying, “the Mayor disclosed that a number of us were founding members of the SCC – but I can assure you that as Trustees we will act with all residents in mind.” Mayor Stevens also defended the Board, telling Henderson, “that those of us who signed up did so before we were on the Board. This has been a ten-year process. The project has reached a critical point. We have worked through the issues and this is the point that we are at. I am trying to assure you that we are extremely cognizant of the impact on the budget. The decision will be made very carefully with as much input from the community as possible. We all welcome public input. We want to hear all opinions and all sides.”

Michael Goldberg took the podium and said, “I am not for the project. It poses an asymmetrical risk for one group and if the plan does not work out, the town will bear the burden.” He added, “It is unfair to ask residents to take on the burden without a referendum. There was a vote on the Quaker Ridge school bond. This is greater amount of money.”

Furthermore, Goldberg said, I think the projections are very optimistic. They call for 1,600 founding members and there are now only 1,180. The projection also does not assume any fall off and assumes that new members will be added every year, even though there is a 30% churn in the industry. The plan also assumes a greater profitability margin than NY Sports Club.” Goldberg called for the SCC to review their projections at their own expense and for the founding members sign on to back the projections. He ended by saying, “Scarsdale can ask for a better proposal as it is our land that they will use.”

Carrie Moscowitz at 6 Highland Way told the group that she swims and works at Purchase College where the pool is never crowded. She said, “We are talking about $24 million to service 20% of Scarsdale. It seems to be an extraordinary expense in these times.”

Reminding the group of the history of the project, Bob Harrison of Fox Meadow Road said, “I have been interested in an indoor pool at the high school for students, adults and seniors for years. We could have had a $2 million pool at the high school ten years ago. He added, “I feel that the SCC has not met the criteria – they have turned an $8 million project into $24 million project. They already spent $35,000. Now we are thinking of putting out an RFP to study their numbers.” He asked, “Why will they raise $8 million and we bond $16 million – why not ask for a different ratio – or ask them to raise the entire $24 million.” Harrison also called for all residents to vote on the issuance of the bonds in a referendum.

Another meeting is planned at 6:55 pm on January 6 in the Trustees Room of Village Hall to review SCC financing. The Village was considering hiring an outside consultant to review the viability of the projections, and perhaps this will be discussed at the meeting.

In other business, representatives from the Scarsdale Women’s Exchange came to the meeting to voice their concerns about delivery trucks that are parked in front of their Harwood Court store for much of the day. The spot is used by UPS and Fedex trucks and blocks access to their shop and prevents their customers from parking. They asked the Village to find another spot for the delivery trucks.

Trustees also approved a resolution to retain consultants to explore the feasibility of a traffic roundabout at the Heathcote Five Corners. Nine proposals were received and Creighton Manning, LLP of Albany, N.Y. were selected and will be paid $35,600.

A hearing was set to review changes in parking requirements for January 11, 2011 at 8 pm. At that time, a proposal to ease parking requirement for downtown restaurants will be discussed, There is a resolution to change the law so that restaurants will require one parking space for each 150 square feet of space, rather than one space for 75 square feet, which is now the law. The change would provide restaurants with the same requirements as retail stores and Village managers are hopeful that this would make it more attractive for restaurants to operate in Scarsdale Village.

Pictured above: An underground indoor pool at the Wellness Center at the College of New Rochelle

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Published: 14 December 2010

Created: 14 December 2010

Last Updated: 14 December 2010

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Meter Robber Arrested: An observant Con Edison worker helped police nab a man who had broken into, or tampered with 24 parking meters in the area of Scarsdale Avenue around 4 am on December 9th. The Con Edison worker saw a suspicious person going into and out of a parked car in the early morning hours and called the police. They found Anthony Lucido of White Plains lying down in the back seat of a tan Suburban that was parked on Scarsdale Avenue. The officer recognized Lucido immediately, as the Bronxville Police had just sent out a flyer with his picture because he was a suspect in the larceny of over 30 parking meters in Bronxville.

When questioned by police, Lucido was nervous and evasive and claimed that he had pulled over because his car had overheated on the Bronx River Parkway. Lucido offered to let the officers check his car where they found a large open bag of loose change filled with quarters, gloves and two large screwdrivers. In the trunk they found more tools. When they checked the meters on Scarsdale Avenue they found that many had been emptied.

Lucido was taken to headquarters where a background check revealed that he had 39 prior arrests. In the meantime, Scarsdale police canvassed the area and found that 24 meters had been broken into or tampered with. Lucido’s car was impounded and he was arrested for petit larceny, criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools and criminal possession of stolen property. He was arraigned before Judge Galloway at 9:30 am where bail was set at $10,000. Since Lucido could not come up with the money he was taken to Westchester County Jail where he will be held until his court date on 12/15/10.

Burglaries: Two more Scarsdale homes were entered this past week – both during the day. On Potter Road the homeowner returned from work on Monday afternoon December 6th and found that her front door was unlocked. Though the house was not tossed, two white envelopes, each containing $5,000 were missing from a dresser in the master bedroom along with jewelry valued at $16,650. When police came to the home to investigate they found a broken basement window and a rock that had been thrown through it. They determined that the suspect had entered the home through that window.

On Thursday December 9th, intruders entered a Greenacres Avenue home via a rear window that may have been unlocked. They went through the bedrooms, tossed the master bedroom and left through the back door of the house. The owner will compile as list of missing items.

Missing: On Tuesday night 12/7 a Wayside Lane woman called police to report that her blue 2009 Acura, which was parked in the loading zone on Chase Road, had been stolen. While the woman was speaking to police, another officer found the car parked in the DeCicco’s parking lot. The owner had forgotten where she parked.

A Middle School boy reported that headphones were stolen from his locker on November 30th. The Monster-Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are valued at $350 and were taken from a bag in the boy’s unlocked school locker.

Menorah Check: Police checked Chase Park numerous times this week to see if a Menorah had been erected in the park. However, they were unable to locate one and it appears that the Village did not put one up this year.

Rental Car: Police were called to the Shell Station on Scarsdale Avenue on 12/9 where an Avis representative complained that a rental car had not been returned. The woman who rented the car called the station to report she was in the hospital, but later arranged for a friend to return the car to the station.

Where's Mom? An Edgewood elementary school student called police at 12:30 pm on 12/9 to report that she was locked out of her house. Her mother did not realize that school would let out early that day. Police took the girl to the school nurse who located the girl’s mom.

Found: Fish Tails: A Hazelton Drive man called police on the morning of 12/7 to say that he found five small dead fish on his front walkway.

At DeCicco’s on East Parkway the owner reported that someone had turned off two water valves that supply water to cool the stores freezers on 12/3. Though no damage occurred to the store’s freezers or merchandise, Mr. DeCicco wanted to file a report.

On 12/9 a Park Road woman reported that she was almost the victim of identity theft when someone tried to open up new accounts in her husband’s name at Citibank and Bank of America and transfer $80,000 from her existing accounts into the fraudulent accounts. Fortunately both banks contacted her before making the transfers and she was able to stop them.

Deer Here: At 11 pm on Friday night 12/10 a Brite Avenue man was driving on Heathcote Road near the Scarsdale Medical Center when he stepped on his brakes to avoid hitting a deer in the road. While he was braking to miss the first deer, another deer ran into the road and struck the man’s 2004 Acura. The second deer fled and the driver was not injured.

Fire: A utility truck struck a power line at 50 Tompkins Road at 1 pm on 12/9 and caused a fire that spread to the wires along Fenimore Road. Fenimore Road was closed between Post and Brewster Road while the Scarsdale Fire Department and Con Edison put out the flames.

The Fire Department and Con Edison entered four houses on Carthage and Fayette Roads on the afternoon of 12/10 to investigate for a potential gas leak. They entered through unlocked windows and a garage door and left notices for residents advising them that their homes had been entered.

Edgemont: On the morning of 12/7 the Principal of Seely Place School called police to report that she saw a suspicious car parked on Glendale Place. She had been alerted to look out for a car with the same license plate number in an email from a parent who had seen the occupant opening car doors in the area. The Principal and the School Custodian were about to approach the man in the car, when he made eye contact with them and drove away. The man was driving a 2009 gray Dodge Charger with license plate number FBG3471. Police identified the plate owner as Thomas Delano of White Plains and he is described as a white male in his 30’s with a stocky build, short-cropped hair, neatly dressed in a black leather jacket.

On Chedworth Road in Scarsdale on the night of 12/7 the resident returned from work at 10:50 pm and saw a man walk up his driveway and disappear into the backyard. A neighbor also saw a van pull up and a woman getting out with take out food.

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Published: 02 December 2010

Created: 02 December 2010

Last Updated: 08 December 2010

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A mother’s suicide on Tuesday has left Scarsdale searching for answers as to why four people in the community have taken their own lives (one unconfirmed) in the past seven weeks. The mother of two jumped from the Tappan Zee Bridge, leaving grief-stricken children, parents, friends and neighbors seeking to explain the inexplicable.

Lynne Spencer was a former school psychologist and the mother of a fourth grader at Heathcote Elementary School and a sophomore at Scarsdale High School. According to the Journal News Spencer drove her Toyota Highlander onto the bridge around noon on Tuesday, got out, and jumped 150 feet into the Hudson River. Miraculously a construction crew that was under the bridge to sandblast one of the piers saw her fall about 50 feet in front of them. Three men from the crew jumped into a boat and pulled Spencer out of the water where she was floating face down.

Though she was unconscious she was still alive and one of the men performed CPR on her until she began to breathe. She was treated by paramedics and EMT’s and taken to Nyack Hospital where she later died from internal trauma. Spencer was remembered by a Dunham Road neighbor who said, “Lynne was a gracious, warm and lovely person. We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.”

Funeral services will be held at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale on Saturday, December 4 at 11 am.

Her death has shaken a community already in mourning over the recent loss of a beloved elementary school teacher right before Thanksgiving and a member of the high school staff in October. In addition, a well-known shopkeeper attempted to take his own life in his Scarsdale Village store on October 23 and later died as a result. All the victims were parents, compounding the tragic nature of their deaths. By all accounts Scarsdale is a very supportive community that prides itself on its spirit of volunteerism. The Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Service provides free support to those in need, and in a town with abundant resources it is baffling why these tragedies could not have been averted.

There is no known link between the deaths, though clusters of suicides have been documented elsewhere. We spoke to several mental health experts to learn more about possible causes and were told that there are no easy answers, though depression, illness, divorce and economic instability are known to be contributing factors. According to psychiatrists, the advent of the holiday season can also trigger depression and exacerbate family issues.

The school was quick to react and communicate with parents and students. In a thoughtful letter to district parents, Superintendent Michael McGill wrote,
“This is my thirty-ninth year as a school superintendent or headmaster. In all that period, I can't remember a sequence of tragedies similar to the one that's shaken our schools and the broader community within the last few weeks. Over the last month, we've experienced the consequences of the darkest of emotions. At the same time, we've witnessed the best of human caring and resilience. The strength of our students, faculty, parents and other community members has been exemplary.....Unavoidably, times like these raise difficult questions to which nobody has answers, and they necessarily lay bare feelings of vulnerability. A number of people, including some mental health professionals, have asked how they could help the schools help students through this trial.”

He goes on to let parents know what is being done at the schools to help the children through this crisis:

“Each school has a trained intervention team that coordinates support services. The teams draw on the expertise of external psychiatric and/or psychological specialists, and their approaches have been developed in collaboration with mental health professionals. I hope you'll be reassured to know that principals, counselors, deans, youth workers, psychologists and faculty at large are all in communication about students who may benefit from special attention; school personnel are in touch with those youngsters and their families, where appropriate; and staff will take added measures as necessary.”

It is natural for anyone who had interactions with the victims to wonder if they missed a sign or if they could have helped. What is so puzzling is that there are often no signs beforehand that someone is contemplating taking his or her own life.

However, Scarsdale School Psychologist Ernie Collabolletta, (721-2563) has provided the following list of signs to look for -- and we offer it here for your information:

• Excessive sadness or moodiness: Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide
• Sudden calmness: Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life
• Withdrawal: Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
• Changes in personality or appearance: A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.

Last, Collabolletta provided the following list of resources and we encourage you to keep these in mind for anyone in need:

• Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Service (723-3281)
• The Bereavement Center of Westchester (961-2818)
• Westchester Jewish Community Services (761-0600 x 207)
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center.

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Published: 30 November 2010

Created: 30 November 2010

Last Updated: 01 December 2010

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According to the Journal News , Frank Schwall, age 46 of Mamaroneck Road in Scarsdale was indicted for second and third degree larceny for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars for the development of an indoor training center for Little League aged children. He created Big Apple Baseball LLC in 2006 with the intent of building a new facility in Port Chester but put the donations in his own account instead.

Schwall was indicted in Westchester County Court on November 24 for a host of charges, including second and third degree grand larceny; two counts of second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first degree falsifying business records, first degree offering a false instrument for filing, false tax returns and one count of failure to file a return in violation of New York State Tax Law.

Schwall pleaded not guilty and is represented by Andrew Proto of the White Plains firm Riebling, Proto and Sachs. He maintains that he is innocent and is free on $10,000 bail. He could face up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted for grand larceny in connection with a 2005 transaction in which he misrepresented his work status to get a home-equity line of credit.