Supervisor's E-Newsletter

March 2023

Town Maintains AAA Bond Rating 

Last week, Moody's Investors Service made the announcement in its evaluation of the Housing Authority’s $2.8 million "Hommock’s Park Apartments Revenue Bonds" which will be used to finance necessary facility improvements. These bonds are guaranteed by the Town of Mamaroneck.

The AAA Bond rating, the highest Moody's issues, will allow the Town to borrow funds at the lowest possible rate of interest, saving taxpayers money.  Please click here to read the press release.

Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade

It was, once again, my honor and pleasure to "wear the green" and march with members of the Town Board, other elected officials and dignitaries in the Sound Shore's best parade honoring Irish Americans.  The weather may have been chilly, but the warm spirit and enthusiasm of the marchers and onlookers kept us smiling.

Department of the Month -- Assessor's Department

The Town Assessor is a local government official whose duties are specified in New York State Real Property Tax Law and generally focus on the maintenance of inventory records used for the valuation of real property within the Town of Mamaroneck. The Assessor’s office is responsible for creating the assessment roll, the basis on which real property taxes are calculated and levied for the Town of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, the Mamaroneck School District, a portion of the Scarsdale School District and a portion of the Village of Mamaroneck. The Department examines all real property in the Town, improved and unimproved. The Assessor’s office records all deed transfers, processes tax exemptions allowable under state and local law, and records and reviews all permits in the unincorporated Town and both the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont. The Department manages and updates tax maps and maintains assessment software that includes sketches, photos, dimensions, descriptions, and areas for all structures. This office also records and processes grievance complaints, supports the Board of Assessment Review with hearings/assessment data and prepares defenses for and attends all Small Claims Assessment Review proceedings. 

Town Assessor Pamela Valenza heads this Department and has been in this role since 2014. Prior to becoming Town Assessor, Pamela held the position of the Town’s Deputy Assessor & Real Property Appraiser and she has been with the Town for over 25 years. Deputy Town Assessor Daniel Pietrosanti has held this position for eight years and has extensive practical knowledge of the assessment, appraisal, and real estate industries. Pamela and Daniel are assisted by Marianne Ybarra and Ellen Donnelly, who have worked as assessment clerks since 1994 and 2000, respectively.  If you have called the Assessor’s office with questions about your property, you have no doubt spoken with Marianne or Ellen who possess more than 50 years of combined assessment experience and are always enthusiastic and understanding when assisting residents.

You may know that in 2013 the Town of Mamaroneck underwent revaluation; all properties were assessed at 100% of full market value and this level of assessment is maintained through annual updates.  If you would like more information, please view a short video on the revaluation process on this page.

Want to file for a local tax exemption? Curious about your home’s assessment? Need to know key dates and deadlines for the Assessor’s office?  Please visit the Assessor’s office page on our website, call them at 914.381.7820, or stop by their offices at Town Center.

TMFD Recruitment

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Firefighter for the Town of Mamaroneck? Please come to the TMFD Open House on Saturday, April 22^nd from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. at the Weaver Street Firehouse, 205 Weaver Street, Larchmont.  All are welcome!

Safety Information

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Speaking of the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department, they have received inquiries regarding the storage of e-bikes, e-scooters and similar transportation powered by Lithium-Ion batteries. The TMFD recommends keeping these devices outside of apartment buildings and houses due to the increased risk of fire. The incidences of fires involving these devices has increased dramatically over the last two years with tragic numbers of injuries and loss of life.  While the majority of these fires have occurred in New York City, we are seeing an increase in our surrounding communities as well.

Fires occur when the battery has suffered damage (mechanical or electrical) causing a short circuit in the battery. The battery will then start smoking, catch fire and this "thermal runaway" causes a lot of smoke and a very fast and intense fire.  An example of a thermal runaway fire can be viewed in the video in this link.

Rules of the Road Reminder

Just a reminder that traffic and pedestrian safety go hand in hand. Some common infractions (and the corresponding law) that serve as barriers to safety in and around the Town include but are not limited to:

• Parked in the wrong direction – driver’s side to curb (TC 219-24)
• Parking in a bus stop (TC 219-29)
• Double Parking (TC 219-33)
• Blocking a driveway (TC 219-35)
• Parking in a Fire Lane or within 15 feet of a hydrant (TC 219-36)
• Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalk (NYS VTL 1151(a)
• Pedestrian failed to yield right of way to vehicle at place other than a crosswalk (NYS VTL 1152(a)
• Improper/Unsafe U-Turns (NYS VTL 1160(e)
• U-Turns in a school zone (NYS VTL 1161(b)
• Parking in a crosswalk (NYS VTL 1202(a)d)
• Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign (NYS VTL 1202-2(c)
• Opening a door unsafely/into traffic (NYS VTL 1214)

These laws were created to aid in the safe and free flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic alike. The TMPD enforces these laws; however, voluntary compliance with these vital laws is always the preferred path to safety. Let’s work together for all of our safety and please keep these laws in mind when travelling.

GridRewards^TM

Residents, have you heard of GridRewards, a program where you can get cash back for saving electricity?!  

GridRewards is a free app that works with utility companies to help reduce electricity usage during peak demand times.  This is when electricity production is most harmful to the environment as production is overloaded and utility companies need to resort to using older, less efficient and the most polluting power plants. Peak demand times are also when we are most likely to experience brownouts and blackouts. 

GridRewards is open to most people and businesses with a Con Edison account, including residences, small to large businesses, houses of worship, clubs, nonprofit organizations, and commercial accounts. The GridRewards program in Westchester County is promoted and administered by the nonprofit organization, Sustainable Westchester.  

When notified by GridRewards of a "Peak Event," the user enrolled in this program has the option to raise the thermostat in their home/building (these events are usually on hot days late in the afternoon), thereby saving money on their utility bills and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, as well.

For more information about GridRewards, click here to view the FAQ from Sustainable Westchester. To register for GridRewards and download the app, you may go to https://www.gridrewards.com/. 

By reducing your energy use for just a few hours during the hottest days of the year, you’ll have an outsized impact on the carbon footprint for your entire neighborhood and save money at the same time. The average household can earn more than $100/year, and 97% of GridRewards participants got paid last year!  Of course, your actual earnings are dependent on your performance during GridRewards events.

Even the Town is participating! We have enrolled three of our buildings -- Town Center, the Senior Center and the Highway Garage -- in the GridRewards program for the second year in a row. We just received our annual rebate check last week.

Work for our Recreation Department this Summer!

The Recreation Department is hiring for summer camp and for the Hommocks Pool:

For Summer Camp:

• Counselors for Camp Rockingstone, Hommocks Camp and Teen Travel Camp
• Specialists (Art, Sports, Dance)
• Lifeguards

For Hommocks Pool:

• Lifeguards
• Swim Instructors
• Pool Managers

Please visit the Town website for more information or click here to apply for a job with the Recreation Department today!

Also, don't miss the Recreation Department's Annual 5K/Lil' Bunny Hop coming in April, an annual favorite!  Sign up here!

Town Communications

My office continues to receive calls from residents who are not aware of notifications such as changes to the sanitation pickup schedule, storm warnings, or other important community matters.  Don't miss out, 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 to receive the Supervisor's E-Newsletters there if this was forwarded to you or if you are viewing this on Facebook.  

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

Our Town Needs You! 

Please consider volunteering for the Town.  The Town is looking for qualified residents for the following:

1. Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department (TMFD)
2. Volunteer EMTs (VAC & MEMS)
3. Coastal Zone Management Commission
4. Board of Architectural Review (Alternate)
5. Recreation Commission
6. Planning Board (Alternate)

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 may be the perfect answer!  The TMFD is always looking for new volunteers.  To learn more about volunteering, please call them at 914.834.2192 and press 3.  As mentioned previously, there will be an open house at the Firehouse on Saturday, April 22nd from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

VAC Needs You!

Volunteers are members of the community just like you.  VAC's diverse group includes teachers, contractors, business professionals, and many more professions in their ranks. The volunteers fill shifts around their professional schedules, ensuring that an ambulance is ready to respond 24/7/365.  Their annual call volume continues to climb, answering over 1600 calls for service in 2022; often turning out two ambulances simultaneously multiple times a week. VAC is always looking for new members, age 17 and older, to fill the day and night shifts. No prior experience is necessary!  If you're interested in learning more or submitting an application, visit us online today! www.larchmontvac.org/join-us.html. 

MEMS Needs You!

While MEMS currently has over 70 active members, they are always looking to grow their ranks.  If you think you might be interested in volunteering for a rewarding journey of saving lives and working with your fellow neighbors, and you are age 16 or older, please visit mamaroneckems.org where you can submit an application.  No experience is necessary and all training is provided in-house. Together we can save lives!

Coastal Zone Management Commission

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.  Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Architectural Review

The Board of Architectural Review is comprised of five members, each serving a term of three years.  It was established in 1990 to review exterior plans or modifications to all structures except one-or two-family houses.  All members of the Board of Architectural Review shall be specially qualified either by reason of training or experience in architecture, land development, city planning, real estate, landscape architecture, professional property values or other relevant business or profession or by reason of civic interest and sound judgment, to judge the effects of a proposed building or alteration or remodeling thereof upon the property values and development of surrounding areas.  Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. 
 
Recreation Commission
The Recreation Commission was established in 1954 to review and recommend recreation programs, activities, and the development or expansion of facilities. The seven-member Recreation Commission is comprised of residents from the unincorporated area of the Town, the Village of Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont. To maintain the representative balance of the commission, at this time we are seeking members who reside in the Village of Larchmont.  Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Planning Board
The Planning Board is comprised of five members, each serving a term of five years. It was established in 1954 to review plans for the development of vacant areas, streets, and parks considering the environment, neighboring properties, traffic and parking. It reviews permits for subdivisions, site plans, freshwater wetlands, and special uses. At this time, we have an opening for an alternate member. In order to maintain a qualified and diverse board, we are currently seeking candidates with construction, engineering or architectural expertise rather than legal knowledge of this subject. The alternate serves an important function and may be called upon to vote on applications when a quorum of members in not available. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

If you are interested in being considered for any of the boards or committees, please contact Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney by email at supervisor@townofmamaroneckny.org and include a letter of interest and a resume.

Upcoming Town Board Meetings

Town Board work sessions and regular sessions are held in person and the public is welcome to attend.  The meetings are broadcast on LMC Media (channel 76 for Optimum customers or channel 35 for Verizon customers) and online at https://lmcmedia.org/.  

• Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the work session begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Senior Center,  followed by the regular session that begins at 8:00 p.m., also at the Senior Center.
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the work session begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Center, in Conference Room A, 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.