Duck Pond Plan Proceeds but Ice Rink Improvement on Hold; Housing Program Approved
by Judy Silberstein
(September 4, 2003) The calendar said it was still summer,
but summer was over for the Town of Mamaroneck Board. The
Board
was
back
on its
regular meeting schedule on Wednesday, September 4 and focusing
on snow removal, the Hommocks Ice Rink, and other cold weather
concerns. In the first formal meeting since the August blackout,
the Board briefly reviewed events and announced that there
will be a more detailed evaluation that will be discussed
at later board meetings. (See: How'd
We Fare in the Blackout?)
They also took up ongoing issues, such as approving an extension
until December 31 of the moratorium on commercial development
along
the Boston Post Road, renewing the Housing Voucher
Plan,
and
approving a project to
help slow
sedimentation at the Duck Pond.
Snow and Ice
The Town is responsible for clearing snow and ice on nine
miles of New York State pavement along the Boston Post Road
and Weaver Street. That’s a big job in a blizzard,
but New York provides compensation. This year, as it has
been in the recent past, there is a reimbursement of $995
per “lane
mile,” or
$9,124, whether it snows or not. The Board agreed to enter
into the contract at this rate.
Town Administrator Steve Altieri had some disappointing
news on the Town’s plan to add a heated eating terrace
overlooking the ice inside the Hommocks Ice Rink. The idea
was to install a mezzanine with radiant heating where people
could snack and watch the skaters. Preliminary estimates
were approximately $80,000, but the two bids that came in
were for over $180,000.
“We were all stunned at the bids,” reported
Altieri, “I regret that I do not have an explanation.
This one has us completely baffled,” he said and added
that he will continue to study the situation.
County Kicking in at Duck Pond
Westchester County has submitted a proposal for a Town-County
intermunicpal partnership to protect the Larchmont Gardens
Lake  from sediment and other pollutants. The Lake, known
to most locals as the “Duck Pond,” is particularly
susceptible to filling up with rotting leaves and other debris.
The County will be using about $250,000 of its own environmental
protection funds and will provide “at its sole cost
and expense all necessary labor, supervision and equipment
to undertake and complete a project,” to design and
construct a permanent sediment basin at the inlet of the
pond adjacent to Lakeside Drive, according to the contract
approved unanimously by the Town Board. In return, the Town
of Mamaroneck will be responsible for maintenance – keeping
the sediment basin clean.
In addition to the stone or concrete basin, which will be
mostly underwater, the County will construct an accessway
for maintenance vehicles. Keeping the basin clean will be
comparable to clearing other catch basins around the Town.
The County project will not eliminate completely the need
to dredge the pond on a regular basis, the Board recognized.
However, because sedimentation will be greatly slowed down,
there will be many more years between dredging projects.
In June, the Board decided to apply for
its own federal EPA grant. Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner
estimated that a grant might offset $400,000 of the likely
$790,000
it will cost to dredge. (See: Town
Considers: Time to Dredge the Duck Pond?)
“This is a windfall for the Town,” summarized
Altieri.
Town to Subsidize Housing for 254 Low-Income Residents;
254 More Remain on Waiting List
In her last report to the Board before her September 24
retirement, Community Services Director Kathy Kopa outlined
the Housing Voucher Agency Plan for 2004. The Town enjoys
a reputation as an affluent community, but there are large
numbers of low-income residents in need of support to remain
living in the community.
For 2003, Kopa has maxed out her budget for supported housing,
known as “Section 8” housing after the section
of the Federal law that authorizes and pays for the Rent
Subsidy Program. Through the Town’s Community Services
Department, very low-income families and individuals can
receive vouchers that allow them to find their own housing
with participating private landlords. Most of Kopa’s
clients earn less than $19,000 or 30% less than the median
income.
For 2004, she expects the program to support 254 households
that include anywhere from one person to a family of five.
The waiting list, which has been closed since April, has
254 additional households. Kopa predicts it will be two more
years before the waiting list reopens.
The ever-increasing cost of housing and the difficult economy
contributes to the problem, particularly for the elderly
on fixed incomes. “The housing market here is enormously
high,” said Kopa, “But I want to keep our housing
in Town.” Even with housing support, some of Kopa’s
clients are working multiple jobs – one has six jobs
- because of the high value they place on living in this
community.
The Board congratulated Kopa on her tenth perfect federal
audit of her program in the ten years she has held the directorship. “It’s
been a pleasure working with you,” declared Supervisor
O’Keeffe who is planning a more substantial appreciation
ceremony for Kopa later in September.
“I’ve loved every minute of my work,” responded
Kopa. Upcoming Public Hearings
September 16: Days and Hours When Removal of Rock is Prohibited October 1: Design Requirement & Guidelines for the Improvement
of Properties in Certain Non-Residential Districts
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