Town Honors 95-Year-Old Community Activist; Debates Traffic On Colonial Avenue

by Harriet Kline

(April 14, 2005) Rita Grunbaum, a ninety-five (yes 95) year-old Mamaroneck resident, was honored by the Town of Mamaroneck Board last night. The board also encountered strong objections to a proposal to restrict parking on Colonial Avenue and authorized a change in its Meal on Wheels provider.

Towards the very end of the meeting, William Maker, the Town attorney, returned from observing the Planning Board to report they had recommended adoption of a zoning amendment related to the Forest City Daly apartment project proposed for Madison Avenue.

Rita Grunbaum

Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe opened the meeting with what she called a “happy event.” To the delight of the entire board, she read a proclamation honoring Rita Grunbaum, who has not only achieved longevity but has also made (and is continuing to make) a positive impact on the entire Larchmont/Mamaroneck community.

Mrs. Grunbaum, who celebrated her 95th birthday on April 9, was an early member of the Cancer Support Team, has been active (since 1953) in the Larchmont Temple and is founder of the Temple’s Support Group.

Mrs. Grunbaum brought with her a copy of her most recent project, her autobiography simply called Rita. In the book she recounts her wartime experiences as a prisoner of the Nazis in the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp. Her oldest daughter, Dorien, was born a year before the family was arrested and remained with her mother during the 20 months in the camp. Mrs. Grunbaum recommends picking up a copy of the book (available at the Larchmont Temple) to learn the rest of the story.

Rita Grunbaum, from the cover of her autobiography.

This wasn’t Mrs. Grunbaum’s first appearance at the Town Board. Recalling that she had received a similar proclamation on her 90th birthday, she said, “You know you don’t have to do this again.” But Supervisor O’Keeffe told her “yes we do.”

Mrs. Grunbaum graciously accepted the board’s accolades.“It was very nice,” she confirmed later.

When contacted, Harold Wolfson of the Local Summit, spoke of her long association with that organization and called her “something of a social conscience of the community.” He added, “She’s always been ahead of the pack on seeking to help those who need a break. She was instrumental in getting taxis to offer reduced rates for seniors during the middle of the day.”

“At the moment, she’s spearheading a telephone visiting system for those who have difficulty getting around,” reported Mr. Wolfson.

Colonial Avenue Parking

A public hearing on a legislative proposal to limit parking on the north side of Colonial Avenue during Murray Avenue School drop-off and pick up hours sparked a heated debate. Colonial Avenue is around the corner from the school.

The Town Traffic Committee had recommended the proposal, but residents were quick to criticize the committee’s process in reaching its decision as well as the substance of the proposed measure.

Barry Hart of 91 Colonial Avenue reviewed the residents’ concerns. Some residents of Colonial Avenue have requested that the Town build a sidewalk on their street because when cars park on both sides, pedestrians are pushed to walk in the middle of the road. He said the Traffic Committee’s proposal to restrict parking is “not a fix” of the safety problems.

Laura Lavan, representing the Murray Avenue School Traffic and Safety Committee, faulted the lack of a comprehensive study and assessment of the traffic situation.

Abby Katz of 40 Cooper Lane read a letter from several Murray Avenue mothers calling for more fact finding on the part of the Traffic Committee. She was concerned about cutting back on parking for those who drive their children to school.

Town Board members expressed their support of efforts to improve the safety of the Murray Avenue School area. Supervisor O’Keeffe and Councilman Paul Winick promised to follow up with the Traffic Committee. Councilwoman Nancy Seligson pointed out that “there is a sidewalk system in and around the Murray School perimeter” and suggested that parents and children plan their routes to make use of existing sidewalks.

Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner made a motion to postpone a vote on the proposed legislation and the board scheduled another public hearing on this issue for May 18. A Traffic Committee meeting will be scheduled before that date and posted on the Town website.

Meals on Wheels

On the recommendation of Anna Danoy, Director of Community Services, the Town Board voted unanimously to change the provider of its Meals on Wheels program. The new vendor is Horizon Foods/Lunch with Lou. According to Ms Danoy, the new service will include better quality food and be less inconvenient for the volunteers involved in the program.

Forest City Daly

While the Town Board was meeting in the courtroom, the Planning Board was downstairs in the Senior Center considering, among other items, an amendment to the zoning code that would allow Forest City Daly to erect its residential apartments on a parcel of land zoned "BMUB" for mixed business use.

This amendment, explained Mr. Maker, has much the same effect as a series of zoning variances, but adds a greater assurance that the many provisions included will continue to be carried out in the future. Since the parcel in question is the only BMUB zone in the Town, the many-paged amendment includes numerous details particular to the Forest City project.

Among the provisions are those that would allow the building to rise an extra story (six) and another that would require the inclusion of 9 "work force housing" apartments that would rent at rates below market level and be more affordable for employees of the Town or school district.

The Planning Board recommended that the zoning amendment, as presented by the applicant, be adopted by the Town Board. The Town Board will consider this recommendation at a future meeting.

The next regularly scheduled meetings of the Town Board are: May 4 and May 18 .