Board OK's Edgewood Sidewalk Bid;
Town Parking Permits Still Available

by Harriet Kline

(May 28, 2003) In a very lengthy Town of Mamaroneck Board meeting (it ran past midnight) on May 28, parking restrictions, construction bids and tree removal dominated the discussion.

Edgewood Sidewalk

The Board unanimously approved a bid by Acocella Contracting (of Scarsdale) to build a 3 foot wide and approximately 400 long sidewalk along a section of Edgewood Avenue (from Overlook Terrace to Murray Avenue). The Edgewood construction project was part of a larger bid for replacement of sidewalks and curbs submitted to the Board by six firms. However, it drew criticism from members of the audience who claimed that "no one directly affected by the new sidewalk wants it." Residents were given a chance to voice their objections but, according to Supervisor O'Keeffe, the project had received much public discussion last fall and had already been approved by the Board at public budget meetings in December.

The Town Board also unanimously approved a parking restriction on Huguenot Drive between its intersection with Barnard Road and North Chatsworth Avenue on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Councilwoman Judy Myers advised that all cars parked in this area will be ticketed during these two hours. (Residents Beware!)

"This was the best resolution to the safety issues on the street," remarked Huguenot Drive resident Adam Harris, voicing his support of the new restriction.

Town Parking Permits Available

In the midst of an on-going discussion of parking issues, Town Clerk Patricia A DiCioccio made a surprising announcement - railroad parking permits were still available to Town residents. The daytime permits for Town Lot 1 cost $350 annually for one car, or $360 for a permit that may be shared between two cars. Permits for the metered spaces are also available at a cost of $30 for one car or $40 for two sharing one permit.

By Monday, June 2, only a handful of the daytime permits were still available. The Clerk's office explained that the deadline for renewing the annual permits was May 12, after which the 80 people on the waiting list were given an opportunity to acquire one of the coveted permits.

Approximately 100 meter permits were still available. Call the Town Clerk for details (381-7870).

Tree Removal Permit

The meeting also saw the continuation of discussions about the possible removal of 18 trees on a property in Murdock Woods. The
Brabants of Salem Drive had appealed a ruling by the Town Tree Preservation Commission against the tree removal. (See:Tree Removal.) The Town Board, in evaluating the appeal, requested that the Brabants submit information from two arborists about the health and stability of the trees. The arborists' reports were reviewed and the Board gave unanimous permission to allow for the removal of five specific trees.

Contacted later, Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner explained that some members of the board went out to see the condition of the trees. "The consensus of the board was to allow taking down trees that were decayed," she said. Others that might interfere with a future project planned by the home owners were not to be taken down now.

Appointments

Christina Battalia was reappointed as Town representative to the Board of the Larchmont Public Library. Maria Gallagher was appointed new Recreation Supervisor.

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The next meetings of the Town Board are scheduled for June 11 and June 25.