Fishman Replaces Winick On Town Board

Hommocks Park Housing Now Making $40K Payments

by Harriet Kline

(June 7, 2007) It’s official – David J. Fishman was unanimously selected on June 6 to serve out Councilman Paul Winick’s term on the Mamaroneck Town Board.

Board Shuffle

At the end of the June 6 meeting, Paul Winick resigned from the board because he is moving from the Mamaroneck area. He joined the board in March 2005 to fill the chair vacated by Judy Myers when she was elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators. He then ran for election without opposition in November 2005.

Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe said she was sad to see Mr. Winick leave the board. She praised his services to the Town, particularly as deputy Town supervisor, as member (since 1992) of the Hommocks Park Housing Authority, as member of the Town Zoning Board and as proponent for the construction of the two “kiddie” pools adjacent to the Hommocks pool. Each board member also expressed appreciation of his public service. Town Administrator Steve Altieri said that his work with Mr. Winick on the Hommocks Park project taught him the ins and outs of “bid specifications.” Town Counsel Bill Maker said that he was a better lawyer as a result of his work with Mr.Winick, who is also an attorney.

Mr. Fishman’s name was placed in nomination by Councilwoman Nancy Seligson. There were no other nominations and the board voted unanimously to approve Mr. Fishman’s appointment.

According to Elinor Berlin, member of the New York State Democratic Committee who was at the board meeting, Mr. Fishman was selected by Town Democrats over approximately ten other viable candidates. The members of the selection committee included: Debbie Chapin, former mayor of the Village of Mamaroneck; Town Councilwoman Seligson; and Fred Baron and Claire Kubasik, both former chairs of the Town Democratic Committee.

David Fishman is president of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Little League and publisher of Fathoms, a magazine for “those passionate about oceans.” He is a long-time resident of the unincorporated section of the Town and has three children who attend three different schools in the Mamaroneck School system. Mr. Fishman’s term will expire in December, 2007.

To continue on the board, Mr. Fishman must win election in November. Running with him for re-election will be Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner, who has served since 1996. Councilman Ernie Odierna, a Democrat on the board since 1999, will run for supervisor. According to Supervisor O'Keeffe, Mamaroneck Town Republicans will be meeting Sunday to discuss their slate. (See: Odierna Will Run for Town Supervisor: Is It A Contest?)

Hommocks Park Apartments

Rick Cherry, chairman of the Town of Mamaroneck Housing Authority, appeared at the meeting to announce the Authority will issue the Town of Mamaroneck a first time payment in lieu of taxes of $40,000. He said that the success of the Town’s affordable housing project next door to the Hommocks Middle School is a “signal moment” and a model for the rest of the country.

Mr. Cherry also praised Councilman Winick for his work with the Housing Authority, his stewardship of the apartment project and his good investment choices. There are 53 paying units in Hommocks Park and twenty percent of them are dedicated to individuals who receive support under the federal Section 8 housing program.

Administrator Altieri explained later that the $40,000 was not the only payment made by the Authority to the Town. Ever since the apartments were built in 1992, the Authority has been making annual lease payments of $126,000 to the Town to offset costs of a bond used to purchase the land occupied by the project. Over the year, the Authority has also been building up a reserve fund to pay for capital expenses such as a new roof or repaving the driveways. At this point, the fund is large enough that the Authority can also start making an annual payment in lieu of taxes (known as “PILOT”).

“So at this point, there is no out of pocket expense incurred by the Town,” said Mr. Altieri.

Stormwater & New Truck

Elizabeth Paul, the Town’s environmental officer, presented the annual report for the Phase II Stormwater Program mandated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Town is meeting all of its obligations.

The board scheduled a June 20 public hearing to discuss a bonding resolution for the purchase of a new refuse collection vehicle. The total project cost will be $180,000.

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