Supervisor's E-Newsletter
April 2023

Volunteer First Responders Eligible for Tax Break

I am very pleased to announce that the Town Board voted unanimously on April 4th to adopt a local law that provides a partial property tax exemption for volunteer members of the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department and Ambulance Corps who meet certain criteria. 

New York State enacted the legislation to attract more people to volunteer and to retain and reward those who already volunteer.  In order for our VAC and TMFD volunteers to qualify for the tax break, they need to be an enrolled member in good standing, meet certain criteria, and live in the Town of Mamaroneck (including the Village of Larchmont and the part of the Village of Mamaroneck located within the Town). The exemption would amount to 10% of the assessed value.  Due to  the limited number of those who are eligible for the benefit, the financial impact on the Town’s budget is minimal compared to the tremendous benefit that we receive from our dedicated volunteers.  We are extremely grateful to our volunteers for donating their time to our residents and performing a vital function here in our Town.  It's the least we can do for these men and women who put their safety on the line for us day in and day out.

Department of the Month --  Building Department

The Town of Mamaroneck Building Department serves our residents by issuing residential and commercial permits for all new construction, additions, alterations, plumbing, electrical and signage in accordance with all applicable local and state building codes.  Prior to beginning any work, it is always best to contact the Building Department to determine if there is anything that would require a permit.

The Building Department is headed by Richard Polcari, Building Inspector since 2018. Prior to coming to the Town, Richard worked in the Town of New Castle Building Department for 17 years.  The Building Department currently employs a staff of six; Assistant Building Inspectors, Kevin Moore and Joseph Russo, Code Enforcement Officer, Gregory Comito, Zoning/Planning/BAR Secretary, Francine Brill, (who will be retiring this summer after working for the Town for over 20 years), and Administrative Assistants Jenny Ransom and Shaun Hughes. 

All our inspectors and code enforcement officers are certified by New York State and receive a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training each year.  Combined, the Building Department staff brings over 10 decades of experience to the Town with varied backgrounds in construction, police work, IT, and customer service.   We even have two former Town of Mamaroneck Fire Chiefs!  And so, it is no accident that when you call or visit our Building Department, you will be met with the highest degree of professionalism and courtesy that will exceed your expectations.

Community Resource Center (CRC) 25th Anniversary

Town Councilwoman Sabrina Fiddelman and I attended the CRC 25^th anniversary party. The CRC is truly a gem in our community. It has empowered immigrants and low-income families in the Larchmont/Mamaroneck Community by providing much-needed resources and advocacy to help them become self-reliant and thriving members of the Community. Among the services CRC provides are basic literacy classes to help those struggling with English, legal services to help families with immigration-related issues, and worker-training classes to increase job skills. Even when their building was flooded and closed in 2007, 2011 and again in 2021, they persevered to continue to offer services to residents in their time of need and to many families in crisis.  I was honored to celebrate this wonderful silver anniversary with Executive Director Jirandy Martinez and her staff.

Fire Department Open House

The Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department (TMFD) held an open house in April. It was an opportunity for the community to come see the firehouse, the firetrucks, and learn about volunteer opportunities. If you're looking for a way to give back to your community, the TMFD is always looking for new volunteers, regardless of your training, education or skills. If interested, please call 914-834-2192 and press 3 or email Fire Chief Tom Broderick.

Hommocks Park Ice Rink Events

Ice Breaker Tournament

Councilman Jeffery King and I attended the annual Ice Breaker Tournament at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink this past weekend. It was a tremendous event.  Fifteen teams totalling approximately 240 players played 27 games over four days. Twenty-four feet of wedges, 40 pizzas, 500 hotdogs and 1300 wings were consumed.

I looked around over the four days of the tournament and saw generations of families who came back to our community and our rink for this tournament.  Players brought their parents, their grandparents, their siblings, their spouses, their children and their friends. Spectators ranged in age from almost three months to almost 90 years. They enjoyed four days of food, love and hockey.

This year’s Ice Breaker was special because it was the first year that there was an all-women’s game featuring Mamaroneck's own women's team, the Motherpuckers. I was so proud to drop the puck, along with State Senator Shelley Mayer and County Legislator Catherine Parker.  At the face-off were Piper May with her mom, Erin and Shea Thompson with her mom, Kim.
 
All tournament proceeds will go to the Hommocks Park Ice Rink Trust Fund which will be used to pay for improvements to our rink.

Skate with the Easter Bunny

Other events held this time of year may feature the Easter Bunny, but the Recreation Department's April 1^st event featured the Easter Bunny on ICE! The Town Bunny thrilled children (and their smiling parents) when he made an appearance at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink. The Bunny was quite the popular skater as he assisted, motivated, and exhibited his skills to an adoring crowd. The Town Bunny then took a three-week break to rest up and traded in his ice skates for sneakers to take to the roads....

Town 5K Run and Lil' Bunny Hop

On April 23^rd, despite rainy weather, Memorial Park was filled with eager runners of all ages, ready to hit the road in the Annual 5K Run and Lil' Bunny Hop. There were 209 runners registered for the 5K and another 218 signed up for the Lil' Bunny Hop.  All ages were accounted for; we even had four runners ages 65 and up!
 

I would like to thank the Town's Recreation and Fire Departments for hosting another terrific event. Much gratitude as well, goes out to the Highway Department, the Police Department and LVAC who ensured the participants' safety while out running in wet conditions.

Senior Center Spring Fling

April sure was a busy month in the Town!  Senior Center Coordinator Stephanie Hart Lobo and her staff organized a fabulous spring-time luncheon. The music was lively and nearly 100 Seniors attended -- many dancing, some with maracas and tambourines, doing the “limbo”. Everyone (staff and myself included) had a wonderful time. I even got to spend time with our oldest member, Mabel Atkinson who recently turned 104!  

Friends of the Larchmont Library -- Spelling Bee

I was proud to be a judge, along with County Executive George Latimer and Village of Larchmont Mayor Sarah Bauer at the 8^th Annual Friends of the Larchmont Library Spelling Bee, emceed by former CBS newsman Lou Young, now a Village of Mamaroneck Trustee. The winning "swarm" was the team from At Home on the Sound, proving that their spelling was simply e x t r a o r d i n a r y!  Proceeds of this popular event benefit the Larchmont Public Library.

Environmental Happenings

Arbor Day

This is the 31^st year the Town has been honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation with "Tree City USA" status. National Arbor Day occurs on the last Friday in April and each year on this day we celebrate with a new tree planting. Planted last Friday at Memorial Park was a beautiful Red Maple, already standing at a statuesque 15 feet high!  Just behind the new tree is the new playground!

Annual Town Spring Cleanup

Each spring, the Town organizes a cleanup in honor of Earth Day at one of our picturesque conservation areas.  This year's cleanup was held at the Hommocks Conservation Area.  About 40 residents pitched in, including Daisies, Brownies, Boy Scouts, and residents from all parts of the Town. More than 250 pounds of debris and four bags of recycling were collected. The most unusual finds were an oil filter, a large Styrofoam piece of boat dockage, a wooden table (which a resident took home to refinish) and a passport from India which was turned in to the TMPD, if you are missing this!

I want to thank everyone who came out to help keep the Town looking beautiful and Trader Joe’s for providing snacks so that our volunteers were energized.  I especially want to thank our Environmental Planner Elizabeth Aitchison and my Assistant/Sustainability Coordinator, Sue Odierna for their efforts each year organizing this event.

Larchmont Gardens Civic Association Coffee and Cleanup

I was pleased to attend, along with Deputy Supervisor Abby Katz, the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association (LGCA) Earth Day celebration.  The LGCA hosted a coffee on the Fernwood Bridge and organized a cleanup of litter along the Brook.  Approximately 50 residents attended the event.  Volunteers filled three large trash cans with the debris they collected. Thank you to all who help keep our neighborhoods clean.

Town Communications

My office continues to receive calls from residents who were not aware of notifications such as changes to the sanitation pickup 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 if 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

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/.  

• Wednesday, May 3, 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., also in the Courtroom.
• Wednesday, May 17, 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.