Con Edison to Install New Gas Pipeline in Greenacres
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A large gas main will be installed on Walworth Avenue, disrupting traffic from November 2021 until March 2022. The pipeline is part of a new transmission line that will extend from the Bronx to White Plains.
Several Con Edison employees attend the Village Board meeting on Tuesday June 22 to discuss the installation of the high-powered natural gas main. They explained that they will replace an existing transmission main on Walworth Avenue and will work on the three blocks from Fenimore to Colvin Road. They will also be installing new infrastructure during the construction to serve more customers and avoid costly future repairs. See Figure 1 for a map of the overall project.
The project is expected to take eight months to complete. Work will be done in segments so that it disrupts the smallest number of residents as possible. The schedule is set to complete the work from Fenimore to Greenacres by October 18th, 2021, Greenacres Avenue to Colvin Road by November 8th, Colvin Road to Brook Lane by December 21st, and Brook Lane to Brayton Road by January 6th. The pressure testing and distribution final tie-ins are scheduled to be complete by February 2021, and final restorations and paving are scheduled for March 2022.
The work is expected to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Depending on the schedule and unforeseen circumstances, some work may be done on Saturdays. Con Ed reported that they developed a Noise Mitigation Plan for all of Westchester County that will include engineering and administrative tools to keep construction noises to acceptable levels.
Mayor Veron inquired what the communications strategy is for the project, and how residents will be made aware of the construction. Representatives responded that affected residents will receive emails about ongoing work and there will be traffic boards posted with information as well. Trustee Crandall added that Hitchcock Church is in that area, and in addition to crowded Sunday services, they also have a preschool in the building. She raised concerns about potential traffic issues and how children and caregivers can safely move in and out of the building. She said that “emails may not be sufficient” and suggested that Con Ed post paper notices on doors with a phone number to contact if any issues should arise. Mayor Veron later highlighted this point by emphasizing how helpful it would be for residents to have a single point of contact for issues related to this project.
Will customers lose their gas service during the construction? The Con Edison representatives said, "Customers will temporarily lose gas service while they are switched to the new distribution main." The interruptions will be scheduled and not take more than a few hours.
Trustee Whitestone inquired if Con Ed plans to hire any contract workers for the project and noted that in years past, contractors have had “poor diplomatic manners” with residents. He asked that Con Ed “hold their contractors to the same standards as their own workers.” Mayor Veron added that the Board received a lot of negative feedback from residents about these interactions. The Con Ed representative said he would investigate this issue, and that the project will try to contract out as little work as possible.
Addressing the traffic mitigation plan, Con Ed plans to put detour signs around Greenacres if the road needs to be shut down, although they do not plan to close the street. Police will help facilitate single-lane traffic if necessary. See Figure 2 for a map of the suggested traffic detour routes.
Con Ed then reviewed the 7-foot-wide trench that is part of the construction plan on the street. Trustee Brew asked if and how people living on that street will be able to access their driveways if a 7-foot trench is dug in their street. Con Ed explained that they do not plan on completely shutting down traffic at any point, and residents will always have access to come in and out of their homes. When the trench interferes, Con Ed will put a steel plate down so vehicles can enter and exit their driveway. Con Ed also noted that their Corporate Affairs office will be available at any time of day to answer questions or handle issues with residents.
Justin Arest if the presence of this line would allow Scarsdale residents to get new gas lines as Con Edison currently has a moratorium on new gas service to residents in lower Westchester. The answer from Con Edison was “no” for now, though they might lift the moratorium in 2023.
Should Virtual Public Comments Continue?
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Though in person attendance at school board meetings was limited during the pandemic, ironically, it seems that more people became engaged with the administration during the pandemic. Why? Because during virtual meetings they were invited to comment via Zoom. This allowed the community to chime in from home, without sitting for long hours in the Board room, waiting for their turn to speak.
This new protocol served to engage the community, but it often increased the length of Board of Education meetings to the wee hours of the night. So it will be interesting to see whether or not the Board members will allow comments via Zoom to continue.
Now that life is returning to normal, will virtual comments still be permitted? At the Scarsdale School Board meeting on Monday June 21, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale raised the issue. Currently, the state remains under an executive order that suspends the Open Meetings Law and permits virtual meetings. If this order expires, will community members still have the right to call in to comment?
According to League President Alissa Baum, the law is silent on this issue. It does not permit or bar virtual comments. It is the League’s view that virtual comments should still be permitted, even after the executive order expires as it increases community engagement.
According to Baum, State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin has introduced a bill to permit comments “by any means.”
Here are her comments from the Board meeting:
“At the May 24 School Board meeting, the League asked whether the Board would continue the use of virtual public comment after Governor Cuomo’s executive order suspending the Open Meetings Law expires and school board meetings are again conducted in person without social distancing requirements. The Board stated that it was advised by its counsel that this was not permitted under the law.
One of the League’s central missions is to promote the public’s active participation in government. The League has recognized and supported the School Board’s efforts to increase accessibility to the community through its coffees, listening sessions, and attendance at community events. Maintaining virtual public comment is one more avenue through which the School Board can broaden the public’s access to and participation in School Board meetings.
The Open Meetings Law is silent with respect to public participation. The law requires that the government’s business occurs in public, so that voters can see their officials’ deliberations and resulting actions. In that same spirit of openness, the School Board’s policies allow in-person public comment and recognize the importance of community involvement in its decision-making process. It is the view of the League Board that there is no legal reason to discontinue the use of virtual public comment, simply because it is virtual in nature. In fact, if the School Board seeks to uphold the spirit of the law, virtual public comment should be allowed, as it provides to those community members who might otherwise not be able to attend meetings the opportunity to remain engaged with the school district.
The League reached out to NY Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s office on this issue. Her staff explained that it could not give legal advice, however, because the Open Meetings Law is silent as to public comment, Assemblywoman Paulin has introduced a bill (A. 6863) to amend the Open Meetings Law. This bill, if passed, would add language to clarify that “any meeting of a public body that is open to the public that allows for public comment shall provide for an opportunity for the public to comment in real time by any available means during the time allocated for public comment.”
This past year has seen a dramatic increase in public engagement with the School Board for a multitude of reasons. Vigorous public engagement is key to a well-functioning Board, and any allowable measures that support community engagement should be maintained. We urge the School Board to revisit this issue so that virtual public comment may continue. Thank you for your consideration."
Zachys To Leave Scarsdale for Port Chester
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Another Scarsdale mainstay is leaving the Village. Zachys Wine and Liquor, founded in a shop in Scarsdale in 1944, announced that they will relocate operations from Scarsdale to Port Chester in January 2022 where they will consolidate their retail store, warehouse, e-commerce, auction and storage businesses.
According to an article in Wine Industry Advisor, their new facility in Port Chester will encompass 70,000 square feet on the site of the former Strauss Paper Company. There they will have the capability to ship 400% more packages, making them the largest wine shipping facility in the Northeast. Both their online and auction businesses have grown and the consolidation will help them to streamline operations.
Their move will leave another 4,000 square feet of prime retail space on East Parkway without a tenant. Similar to the announcement of the closing of Lange’s Deli, residents were surprised and dismayed that another local favorite was closing its doors in the ‘dale. The vacancy is sure to compound problems for the remaining Scarsdale retailers as the store was a big draw and brought foot traffic to the streets.
Commenting on the news, DJ Petta from Scarsdale Improvement Corp. who owns the store said, “We are saddened by Zachys move as we're sure the rest of the community is. We worked collaboratively to try to keep them in Scarsdale but their opportunity in Port Chester was something we could not offer them here. Zachys has been a staple in Scarsdale for decades and we know they will continue to be involved with the community. We are excited about the current retail environment and the way the Village has responded creatively during the pandemic. We are optimistic that we will find a new tenant on East Parkway that will continue to stimulate the downtown village center.”
Marcy Berman Goldstein, who heads the Scarsdale Business Alliance and worked with Andrew McMurrary of Zachys on many initiatives to build business in the Village said, “Although Zachys departure is bittersweet for Scarsdale, we understand that the nature of their business has changed, and Zachys continued success warrants a different type of space to support their sales. We are grateful for their many years of support of our Village and community, and welcome their continued involvement in future events, including the 2022 Scarsdale Music Festival.”
SCARVAC Administers Free Vaccines
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Scarsdale Village Ambulance Corps is now offering free Pfizer vaccines at their headquarters on Weaver Street. Last week they administered 50 vaccines to adults and teens ages 16-17. This week, on Thursday May 20, 102 teens, primarily between the ages of 12 and 15, have signed up to be vaccinated. No one had a bad reaction.
The shots are being given by SCARVAC’s paramedics and the vaccines come from the Westchester County Department of Health. Second doses will be given three weeks after the first dose.
The vaccines are by appointment only and are 100% free. SCARVAC is not billing patients insurance companies.
To make your appointment, call 914.722.2288
Pictures by John Thaler Click here to see more.
Letters from Dugan, Resnick-Ault, Salmeron and Sterling in Support of the SBNC Slate for School Board
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To the Editor: We are Jim Dugan and Jessica Resnick-Ault, and we write as the School Board Nominating Committee (“SBNC”) nominees for Scarsdale School Board. Scarsdale has a long and proud history of selecting nominees for public office through a non-partisan vetting process designed to bypass the often ugly political battles that characterize our electoral process on the national, state and local levels. We run as citizens, committed to doing what is best not for a political party, and not for ourselves, but for the community at large and specifically for our children. We are grateful and humbled to have been chosen by the SBNC, in a highly competitive process, and are thankful to have the opportunity to ask for your vote in this year’s election.
We approach service on the Board as working professionals with children in the schools and with proven track records, who know what it takes to tackle a challenge and see it through to a successful conclusion. We bring not only a strong desire to help Scarsdale redouble efforts to maintain its reputation as a great school district, but also proven skills and know-how to get the job done. As you consider your choices for School Board this year, ask yourselves these questions: would you rather vote for candidates who have shown that they have what it takes to succeed in challenging and demanding circumstances? And, if you are one of the many people who feel disappointed with the Board’s performance in recent years, and in particular this past year, ask yourself: would you rather vote for candidates who stand for change, transparency, and open dialogue?
If you answered yes to the questions above, please vote for us. We are those candidates. We are strong believers in the power of public education to mold lives and build minds, and we believe that excellence in public education is a key to maintaining Scarsdale as a strong and successful community. We are running for School Board, as the SBNC’s nominees, because we believe strongly in maintaining the excellence of the Scarsdale public schools. We would bring a fresh perspective to the Board, one that is firmly rooted in the voice of our community. We are prepared right now to work for you and, if elected, we promise to give it our all. Our children, and community, deserve nothing less.
Yours truly,
Jim Dugan and Jessica Resnick-Ault 
Shirley Salmeron, Jim Dugan and their three girlsTo the Editor:
My husband and partner of over 22 years, Jim Dugan, is running for School Board and I wanted to share my perspective to help your readers understand why he’s running.
Jim and I met through friends who grew up in Scarsdale. Over 15 years ago, after a devastating personal loss, we moved to Scarsdale from Brooklyn, begrudgingly on my part. We yearned to start a family, and Jim persuaded me to build a life in Scarsdale, in large part due to the excellence of the public schools. Although I doubted my husband sometimes (particularly when it came to DIY plumbing or paint colors), Jim’s passion in researching and executing our move was one honed by his years of training as a lawyer, tempered by his wisdom in knowing when to call in experts. Against all odds, a scant year after leaving Brooklyn, we welcomed our first daughter to our Scarsdale home, one whose ancient bones had finally been shored up by experts. We now have three girls, all of whom attend the public schools.
I share this story because it typifies Jim’s response to problems. Jim is focused on executing excellent solutions every single day in his career and he relies on experts and consensus to help him do that, extending this approach to his personal life. During this pandemic when many experienced “languishing” and/or depression, I felt it too. We lost our part-time childcare, but Jim took up the slack, helping our three daughters with schoolwork and cooking most of our meals. Jim had never cooked the family meals before, but he zealously approached the project with gusto and became an excellent chef. I missed my friends and family, but I was happy to spend more time with my best friend.
Jim’s commitment to pro bono work left an impression that I still remember from our first conversation over 22 years ago (at the time he was representing the indigenous Onondaga nation in a civil rights lawsuit). Jim’s passion for pro bono work wholly aligns with my own values. To borrow a phrase from Fred Rogers, Jim is “one of the helpers”. He is dedicated, passionate and committed to excellence and progress in everything he does. Jim’s vision and world view is one of global citizenry and non sibi, especially as he raises bilingual, multi-racial daughters. Many of you know Jessica Resnick-Ault vis-a-vis her work with Bake Back America; she is also one of the helpers. Service work exemplifies love, let’s bring back that culture and tone to our board. Vote for Jessica and Jim for School Board on May 18th.
Sincerely,
Shirley Salmeron Dugan
Jessica and Jim are Leaders We Need On the Board of Education
Michelle Sterling with Ron SchulhofLetter to the Editor:
I strongly endorse Jessica Resnick-Ault and Jim Dugan for the Board of Education. The SBNC nominating committee considers the characteristics of every applicant, including experience, and chose Jim and Jessica. That says a lot to me and I hope it speaks to the community about how strong Jim and Jessica are as candidates.
Jessica is bright, hard-working and has the background and skills to be a valuable member of the Board of Education. Her career as a journalist provides ideal communications experience for this position. She has the skills to synthesize complex ideas and present them succinctly and clearly. Despite single-parenting and working full-time she has also made time to give back to the community through her extensive volunteerism in our schools and with Bake Back America. She also has an acute awareness and experience with those who have special needs and physical disabilities through personal familial experiences. She is an exemplary candidate in every way.
Jim is smart, hard-working, and committed to our children’s education. He is also a great communicator – which is so important given the expressed need for clarity and transparency that we have heard over and over from the community. He will find solutions, express them clearly to the community, and get things done. We need someone like Jim right now! He is level-headed and thoughtful – a true consensus builder. He also doesn’t just talk about problems – he faces them with solutions. He does this as part of his work every day as an attorney and he can now bring his intelligence, and calm and collaborative nature to the Board of Education for the benefit of our school community.
In times of challenge, we see the mettle of our leaders – hardship shines a light on them. Our elected SBNC members have nominated Jessica and Jim, two outstanding candidates who will make their voices heard in support of the best education for our children, and who have a clear understanding that they are our elected representatives. I urge you to vote for Jim and Jessica on May 18 for our Board of Education.
Respectfully, submitted,
Michelle Sterling
Brayton Road
It is with pleasure that I write to endorse the candidacies of Jim Dugan and Jessica Resnick-Ault for the Scarsdale School Board.
I have had the pleasure of working with Jim on the vestry at St. James the Less Church when Jim served as warden. The warden is the lay head of the vestry, the governing organization of our church, and wardens are nominated and elected much like the members of the school board.
From working side by side with Jim, I know him to be an outstanding leader. Jim would bring many strong talents to his position of the school board.
Professionally as an litigator, he must be very thorough as he approaches decision making. He does his homework, but most importantly he listens to all sides of an issue before making a decision. He is an excellent advocate, but he is also skilled at consensus building. And although he may not agree always with your position, he treats each individual involved and the discussion with respect.
I believe the Jim would be a very strong addition to the Scarsdale School Board.
While I do not know Jessica personally,
I am so impressed by her work in the community in conjunction with the Bake for America program. Her volunteer work in leading the Scarsdale community’s response to the pandemic is admirable. She has set such a fine example for all of us on how important it is for us to take care of our neighbors in need. And in developing this outreach effort, she has demonstrated strong organizational skills.
She is clearly passionate about her belief and helping those in the community and encouraging others to step out and join the effort. Professionally her experience as a journalist requires strong research and communication skills. Both skills will be valuable for member of the Scarsdale School Board.
Finally, personally I have served on the Citizens Nominating Committee. Just like the CNC, the School Board Nominating Committee performs exhaustive research in soliciting and vetting its candidates for the school board. We elect the SBNC and count on them to find the best candidates to put forth for the school board. I trust the nonpartisan procedure for selecting the SBNC slate, and believe that this year, they have chosen the best two candidates for the school board: Jim Dugan and Jessica Resnick-Ault. I will enthusiastically
vote for both candidates at the May 18 school board election.
Jeannette Warner
Farley Road
Scarsdale
