Flood Update
Dennis Delborgo, the new Assistant Village Manager, gave his first flood update. Delborgo completed his first week with the Village by spending time coming up to speed on ongoing projects and grant opportunities.
He also spoke with NYS officials about strengthening the Village’s appeal to FEMA regarding funding to replace the Tompkins Avenue Bridge.
Delborgo also reported on a project meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and said that the participants are “engaged in moving it forward,” especially work on the Ward Avenue Bridge which can start before the ACE project is ready. He reported that the team is searching for additional grant funding. As reported previously, Federal funding was removed by the current administration and is a question at this point. See article HERE.
There was also a meeting with representatives from Iona University’s City Labs Program. This is an initiative where Iona students collaborate with a municipality in Westchester to identify and propose solutions to real world urban challenges. This is part of the Business Council of Westchester’s “Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) City Labs” program.
The discussion centered on how revitalization of the downtown areas can coordinate with the efforts to construct the Greenway along the Sheldrake River. The Village Manager, Kate Dehais, Chairperson of the Village Committee for the Environment and Dan Segal, Village Planner were also in attendance.
Mayor Sharon Torres announced that the Village will be holding meetings in March for anyone who has experienced flooding to come and speak with her, Trustee Maria DeRose, and Delborgo. The dates of these sessions will be announced soon.
Chief DiRuzza Retires; Trujillo Promoted
After 21 years of service, Chief Sandra DiRuzza will retire at the end of March. Lieutenant P.J. Trujillo will be appointed Provisional Chief while waiting for the results on the Civil Service Chief exam that will be administered on March 15th. Thank you Chief DiRuzza for your years of service to the Village and good luck to soon-to-be Chief Trujillo.
Another Assistant Village Manager Starts March 3
Editor's Note: Mr. Famulare has informed the Village Manager that he is unable to take the job in Mamaroneck.
Village Manager Kathleen Gill has filled the second Assistant Village Manager position. Kenneth Famulare begins work on Monday, March 3rd. Famulare is currently the Assistant Village Manager/Deputy Clerk for Mount Kisco.
Since Gill started in December, she has recruited two Assistant Village Managers, the Building Inspector and Assistant Building Inspector.
FY 24-25 Capital Budget Approved
Nine months into the fiscal year, the BOT approved a Capital Budget totaling $52.8 million and including 103 projects. See budget HERE.
The total projects break down to 64 completed, 33 ongoing and 6 deemed to be necessary to begin this fiscal year. There are four funding sources to cover these projects: debt, grants and both the General Fund and Sewer Fund Reserves.
At the BOT meeting, Gill mentioned that $30 million worth of projects had been approved by the previous BOT without a specific funding source. Resolutions stated they would be funded “from reserve funds or issuance of bonds.” Additionally, the annual payments of debt service that are in the operating budget were not calculated and used in the decision making process.
Of the total $52.8 million, it is projected that $13.59 million in bonds will need to be issued. The Village expects $9.85 million in grant reimbursement and the remainder will be funded from the Reserve Funds. Any shortfall in grant reimbursement will have to be funded another way.
How much will borrowing $13.59 million cost the taxpayers each year? Gill estimates it to be around $600,000, using a 15 year term and current interest rates of 3.5–4.5%. The actual amount will depend on the terms of the bonds (some projects require shorter or longer term financing) and the interest rates at the time of issuance. Debt payments for bonds issued this fiscal year will hit the operating budget in two years (FY 2026-27). There is also a cost involved with issuing bonds which is included in this year’s operating budget.
Gill and the Village staff are working on a Five Year Capital Budget which is fairly customary for municipalities, but the Village hasn’t had one until now. Trustee Nora Lucas has been very vocal on this issue for the past several years, as had the Village’s advisory Budget Committee.
Outdoor Dining on the Avenue
Due to complaints about the lack of parking and restaurants using parking spaces for outdoor dining, Village Manager Kathleen Gill announced some changes for this summer. The outdoor dining timeframe will be reduced to Memorial Day to Labor Day. The previous period was April to November. Additionally, the total number of spaces available for dining will be reduced to 10 from 16 with each participating business limited to 2 spaces each. Gill acknowledged a loss in revenue as the restaurants pay for the spaces but expects the increase in patron parking to make it almost “a wash.”
These are interim measures while the Village looks at other alternatives. Gill is also looking into a shuttle service between the train station and Harbor Island Park that will allow people to park at either end of the Avenue and take a shuttle to shopping and restaurants on the Avenue. She also mentioned the possibility of widening the sidewalks as a longer term solution.
Village Gets $10,000 Grant for Greenway
Thanks to efforts by our NYS Assemblyman, Steve Otis, the Village was awarded a $10,000 grant for crosswalk improvements that will help connect Bub Walker Park to Fenimore Road along the proposed Greenway (see article HERE). The grant, sponsored by Otis, is from the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
GPS in Village Vehicles
The Board of Trustees (BOT) approved a budget amendment adding $31,080 to the Village Manager’s budget to install GPS devices in all Village vehicles. Originally approved in 2015, this program was not fully implemented.
Village Manager Kathleen Gill also mentioned that her office was undertaking an inventory of all Village vehicles. Gill has chosen to use her own vehicle and not the vehicle purchased for the former Village Manager.
PBA Donates $500 for Egg Hunt
The BOT accepted a $500 donation from the Mamaroneck Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for the annual Spring Egg Hunt. This free event is scheduled for Saturday April 5th from 11 am to 1:30 pm on Pavilion Field at Harbor Island Park. Pre-registration is required.
Ethics Explained
At the request of the BOT, Daniel Karson, Chairperson of the Village Ethics Board, gave a basic presentation at the Work Session on the Village’s Ethics Code and the work of the Ethics Board. See presentation HERE. Karson also mentioned that the Ethics Board has offered to meet with Village Boards and Commissions to explain the code and how the Ethics Board can help if any person needs advice. Karson explained the complaint procedure mentioning that complainants can request anonymity, but anonymous complaints cannot be processed if the Ethics Board needs information in order to investigate. Complaints can be made online at the Ethics Board section of the Village’s website.
Affordable Housing Presentation
Andrene Smith, Chairperson of the Village’s Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Task Force, made a brief presentation at the regular BOT meeting outlining some of the topics for discussion at the Tuesday, February 26th Task Force Presentation. See article HERE.
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