Cellular Service at last on Weaver!

As many of you know, cell phone service has been spotty at best and terrible at worst in areas surrounding Fenimore Road and Weaver Street, with many residents unable to use their cell phones even in their own home.  After several years of urging the cell service providers to improve the poor service, motorists who are Verizon customers can now continue their cell phone conversations while travelling through this former dead zone. Installation of additional carrier equipment from AT&T is currently in progress with an estimated completion date for their network coverage by mid-April.  T-Mobile has also met with the Town to begin their permitting process and should have their equipment added to the cell tower later this year.  Radio communications used by Town emergency service providers will also be improved, as the cell tower constructor has agreed to provide space and install additional equipment provided by the Town on the new cell tower.  

Comprehensive Plan

March may have come in like a lion, but it also brought us some good news:  the first meetings of the newly-created Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee!  We have a great group of energetic, enthusiastic, engaged and involved residents.  Our consulting team is led by Tiffany Zezula, Esq. who is the Deputy Director of the Land Use Law Center at Pace University School of Law.  Ms. Zezula has been involved in numerous comprehensive plan updates in the Hudson Valley, using a collaborative public engagement approach to comprehensive planning.  We look forward to many productive meetings with residents, businesses and neighborhood groups in the near future. Please be on the lookout for opportunities to participate. Community input is vital to the success of the Plan and is critical in helping the Town Board set priorities to determine what you, the resident, would like to see in our Town!

Fire Department News

Referendum Passes

A special election of the Fire District was held earlier this month in which residents voted "yes" to a resolution to purchase much-needed fire apparatus in the amount of $1,308,000.  Bonds will pay for the purchase of two firetrucks, one which has surpassed its life expectancy and one which suffered from the wrath of "Ida" (though insurance proceeds will provide a portion of the funds needed to purchase that truck). Because the fire department is considered a separate district from the Town, public referenda are required for substantial purchases such as these.  I would like to congratulate the fire department, and thank the members of the public who voted to support these important purchases!

TMFD Needs You!

Are you age 14 or older, and looking for a way to volunteer and give back to your community?  The Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department (TMFD) may be the perfect answer!  The TMFD is always looking for new volunteers. To learn more and potentially get involved, please call them at 914-834-2192, and press 3.  Alternatively, come visit the staff and volunteer firefighters at their Weaver Street Firehouse Open House of Saturday, April 23^rd  from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Environmental Achievements

Certified Climate Smart Community

I am so pleased to announce that the Town was certified a "Climate Smart Community" at the Bronze Level by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.  We were first designated as such in 2016, the ninth municipality in the entire state to receive this certification.  This year, 10 municipalities were certified, nine for the first time and we were the only one to be certified for the second time. The certification requires the municipality to take steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change.  I would like to thank the Sustainability Collaborative for all of their work on the months-long certification process, notably volunteers Karen Khor, June Wallach, Mitch Green and especially, Denise Dunn and Mamaroneck High School student Kat Warwick who has been interning with us since September working on this certification.  Thank you all!  Click here to read the press release with further details.

Tree City USA -- 30^th Year

We received a congratulatory letter and plaque from the Arbor Day Foundation upon earning recognition once again as a "Tree City USA."  It is the Town's 30^th year to achieve this honor and the timing is perfect as the Town is now working on a revised Tree Code Law to support and increase the tree canopy in the Town.   

St. Patrick's Day Events

Members of the Town Board joined me on an overcast but mild day earlier this month to  march proudly in the Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade.  After a COVID-related hiatus, it was so wonderful to see the smiling faces of children (and the adults they brought with them) wearing the green and cheering the marchers on.  A fabulous time was had by all. 

The Mamaroneck Senior Center celebrated St. Patrick's Day as well with a delicious corned beef, cabbage and all the trimmings luncheon complete with live music and dancing. Thank you to our terrific Senior Center Coordinator, Stephanie Hart and her staff for giving our seniors the royal green treatment!  Interested in finding out all that our Senior Center offers?  Contact Stephanie here for details.

Town of Mamaroneck PBA for Ukraine

I'm proud to report on three events in our community this month in support of the people of Ukraine.

First, I want to thank the Town PBA. On March 5^th and 6^th, they held a drive at the Ferndale Shopping Center to collect medical/hygiene supplies to be sent to Ukraine —they called the event “Stuff the Cruiser”.  Thanks to their hard work and the support of our generous community, they stuffed five cruisers!  The much needed supplies are on their way to the region to be distributed at refugee centers.

There were other events in support of Ukraine held in the Village of Larchmont and Village of Mamaroneck.  A bake sale was held at St. Augustine's Church in Larchmont in which $7,000 was raised by motivated and enthusiastic children and their parents.

A vigil for peace in Ukraine was held at Harbor Island Park in which elected officials spoke, as well as residents who hail from Ukraine.  The Ukrainian families told heartfelt stories about their loved ones left behind in Ukraine.  Over 100 residents participated in support of the Ukrainian refugees and families.  Those of us attending felt a genuine sense of community and unity. 

Town Staff Changes

New Restaurant in Town!

The Town Board and I were thrilled to cut the ribbon last week welcoming "Company Chophouse & Grill," located at 7 Madison Avenue.  Reviews have been wonderful and the super-friendly staff makes you feel like you're dining at the home of friends.  If you haven't done so already, check them out!

Our Town Needs You!

Please consider volunteering for the Town.  The Town is looking for qualified residents to sit on the following committees:

1. Coastal Zone Management Commission
2. Board of Assessment Review
3. Zoning Board

 
The Coastal Zone Management Commission is comprised of eleven members, each serving a term of three years. It was established in 1986 to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the New York State approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.  The commission weighs in on proposed development in the watershed area.  Residents of the unincorporated area of the Town and the Village of Larchmont who have a demonstrated knowledge in the areas of conservation, drainage and groundwater issues, or the effects of development on the environment are encouraged to apply.

The Board of Assessment Review is comprised of five members, each serving a term of five years.  The board hears grievances against assessments that have been previously filed with the Town Assessor and determines if any change to the assessed value is warranted.  Members of the Board must be familiar with market conditions and current real estate values in the Town.  Because the Board acts on properties in the entire Town, we seek to maintain a balance of members who reside in the unincorporated area, the Village of Larchmont and the Village of Mamaroneck.  To preserve this balance, preference will be given to a qualified individual who resides in the Village of Larchmont.  Meetings are held on the third Tuesday in June, and the board continues to meet throughout the summer to review all the grievances. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of five members, each serving a term of five years. Established in 1920, the Zoning Board has jurisdiction over residential special use permits and variances and interprets the zoning code.  The Zoning Board currently has an opening for an alternate position.  A resident with construction, architecture, or legal experience would be preferred

Town Communications

My office continues to get calls from residents who were not aware of notifications such as changes to the sanitation schedule, storm warnings, or other important community matters.  Please sign up for these notifications!
Visit  www.townofmamaroneckny.org and click on the gold circle that reads "Sign up for Alerts."  You can also sign up for this E-Newsletter there in the event this was forwarded to you.

In addition, the Town has several Facebook pages where we post emergency information as well as topics of community interest.  Like us!  You'll find our main government page at: https://www.facebook.com/TownofMamaroneckNY

Upcoming Town Board Meetings

• Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the work session begins at 5:00 p.m., at the Town Center in Conference Room C followed by the regular session that begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Courtroom.
• Wednesday, April 20, 2022, the work session begins at 5:00 p.m., at the Town Center in Conference Room C followed by the regular session that begins at 8:00 p.m in the Courtroom. 

The Town of Mamaroneck is committed to fostering welcoming communities and an equitable, diverse and inclusive society.