December 7, 2020, Mayor's Column
Despite the unprecedented uptick in Covid cases in the Village, which is truly alarming, we continue to try to have some semblance of business as usual at Village Hall and continue to move the needle on needed projects.
The following is an update of various initiatives as we start the month of December.
The last of the concrete was poured at the Metro North underpass and all steel plate repairs are completed. The new steel railings were installed last week and the construction equipment removed. The lion’s share of the work and the largest expense is not terribly noticeable as it was principally for the purpose of removing what New York State calls, “flag conditions” on the steel columns and concrete footings that support our outer roadways of Kraft Avenue and Studio Arcade which were deemed the Village’s responsibility. The railroad-owned portion of the underpass ceiling remains the same, albeit in an unattractive condition, as we lobby for it to be in included in future Metro North capital plans but given the Covid-induced dire financial conditions of Metro North, funding is not likely in the near future. Going forward, we plan to consult with The Bronxville Historical Conservancy to see if there is a way to make our underpass walls more attractive and perhaps have some historical content.
We had some unexpected major sewer repairs - one on Pondfield Road near the Taco Project Restaurant which involved the replacement of a disintegrated clay pipe dating back to the early 1900’s. We have one more section with similar problems on Park Avenue approximately 75 feet south of the intersection of Avon Road. During the winter months, we will have our contractor return to start digitally mapping our Hilltop sewers which are a labyrinth of undocumented routes.
The concrete was poured at our public works building and the steel is scheduled to arrive the week of the 14th to assemble the structure.
Last weekend, 11 of our DPW staff worked overtime to do one last major leaf collection.
The issue of leaf removal is front and center this fall as an unprecedented number of residents have called Village Hall to complain about the noise of the gas powered blowers.
As so many residents are now working from home and also trying to open windows for fresh air, the noise level has become very noticeable.
As background, over a decade ago, we were one of the first communities in the County to ban gas powered blowers, compromising on a quiet period from May 31 to September 30 so residents could enjoy more peaceful summers. Our regulation was then copied by many other Westchester communities. Just recently, in response to their residents’ concerns, Larchmont has adopted a year round gas powered blower ban starting in January 2022. We are assuming this time delay is so that gardeners can have time to purchase electric equipment and refit their trucks.
Professional gardeners argue that they will have to charge more if they can’t use blowers because their work will take longer but perhaps it should be thought of as a balance of efficiency with quality of life concerns. As a society, we are willing to pay more for cars to make them safer and to reduce emissions or pay for healthier, more organic foods and these options perhaps serve as a template for this situation. I do observe that there has to be something wrong with a piece of equipment that requires its users to wear ear protectors, goggles and a mask.
Historically, California led the states in banning blowers, with Carmel banning them permanently way back in 1975 followed by Beverly Hills in 1978. Manhattan Beach California actually has made it a criminal offense subject to a $1000 fine and jail time.
On the East Coast, hourly restrictions are in place in Greenwich and Norwalk Connecticut and Brookline and Cambridge Massachusetts. The only community in New York State to ban them entirely is Flower Hill, a small hamlet near Manhasset.
Interestingly, Newton Massachusetts and Maplewood New Jersey are now involved in lawsuits from landscape contractors who claim discrimination vis-à-vis the allowable home construction noise in the summer months while their equipment ban is in force.
The Village continues to assist our merchants in any way we can so that they will have a profitable holiday season. We have dispensed with zoning and planning requirements as we entertain their outdoor ideas for dining and shopping —if it meets a safety and fairness standard, we are encouraging merchants to be creative as they deal with this new normal.
In that vein, we ask that you consider going to the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce website and making a donation to our merchant fund, with no amount too small, or purchase one of our very good looking car magnets and tote bags to show your support for our Village stores. Please also spread the word for us and help in our “friendraising” effort as a donation not only directly helps a merchant perhaps buy additional Covid related protections but also sends the needed message that the Village is behind them.
On a very positive note, despite anticipated drops in fines and parking meter revenues, the Village actually added to our fund balance, truly an unprecedented feat for current local municipal budgets. This was the result of the collaboration, collective wisdom, financial oversight and conservative budgeting of not only the Trustees but everyone in the Village’s various departments. Despite all the trials of the last few months the Village stand financially healthy, now it is up to us to keep each other healthy.