Board Highlights January 12, 2026

Village Communications

With the departure of two Village employees who handled communications, the Village engaged the firm Nicholas & Lence Communications (NLC) in October 2025.  Representatives from the firm presented an end-of-year report of their activities at the January 12, 2026 Board of Trustees (BOT) work session.  See HERE.

Much of this report focuses on media placement of stories about Mamaroneck but, more importantly, starting on page 6 of the report, there is mention of NLC working with Village staff to improve their communications with the public.

First up was a revamped monthly Village Newsletter.  See HERE.  You can subscribe to the newsletter on the Village’s website or click on this link:  https://www.villageofmamaroneckny.gov/subscribe  Choose the newsletter and any of the other notification options. 

Also in the works are:

·      Revised website that will be easier to navigate with current information

·      Social Media policy and plan for all Village Departments, staff and volunteer committees (social media posts are part of the Village record by law)

·      Crisis Communication Plan

Highlighting the need for a new website, a few residents told the BOT that they were unable to find the attachments for the meeting’s agenda.  There are 7 steps just to locate the agenda with attachments:

1.     Go to Village website Home Page (see HERE)

2.     Click “Agenda and Minutes” from menu on banner

3.     Using right column, “Agendas,” click Board of Trustees

4.     Click “2025”

5.     Click “All Agendas from January 1, 2025 to the Present”

6.     On top of next page, select the month and year and click “Find Meetings”

7.     Select the appropriate meeting and click on agenda item to find attachments.

Jason Pinto, Superintendent of Recreation, has been working on the social media aspects of the plans.

(Lack of) Village Communications II

The apparently last-minute changes to the garbage/recycling schedule around the December holidays caused quite a stir.  Apparently, few residents got the message that recycling would be picked up on the Tuesdays before both Christmas and New Year’s Eves and garbage would not be picked up at all.

This change was due to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the union that covers most of the municipal workers.  According to Village Manager Kathleen Gill, there is a clause in their contract that “allows them to select their holidays.”  The selection was made somewhat late in the year and long after the Pickup Schedules had been published and posted.

Several residents, especially those from Washingtonville, spoke to the BOT to complain.  Many residents on a Tuesday pickup schedule put their garbage out and it stayed out for quite a while as the schedule change and holidays hit two weeks in a row.

Gill pointed out that email and text messages went out and a large electronic sign was posted on the Boston Post Road.  Residents responded that not everyone has signed up for emails and alerts and the communications are in English only.  Efforts are needed to reach the Spanish-speaking residents and a suggestion was made that the Village work with the Community Resource Center to aid these efforts.

The problem was just one more example that highlighted the need for the Village to do a better job of communicating with residents.

BOT Approves Funding for Testing in Washingtonville

The BOT voted to approve funding up to $40,000 for a comprehensive field sampling plan for the Washingtonville neighborhood focusing on the Sheldrake River.  See HERE.

The agreement with HydroEnvironmental Solutions Inc. will be negotiated with Village Manager Kathleen Gill.  This initial step to investigate the alarming rates of cancer in Washingtonville residents is being taken thanks to the dogged persistence of Tim O’Connor who has gathered extensive data over the past few years.  See previous article HERE.

Neighbors applauded this step and hope it will start the process to get answers.

Updating Stormwater Management Legislation

An item on the BOT Legislative Agenda garnered more comment regarding the process than on the proposed law itself.  Proposed Local Law U, an amendment to strengthen the Village’s Stormwater Management laws, was posted on the Village website without “redlining” – or at least it was not readily accessible by the public.  (This is one of many reasons the Village’s website needs an overhaul. See below for more information about Village communications efforts.)  See copy of “redlined” law HERE.

Paid for by funds from a legal settlement (see HERE), a consulting firm was hired to initiate the process and the draft law had its first public hearing which raised questions about the process.  Village Manager Kathleen Gill described the hiring and affirmed that it followed proper procedures.  Mayor Sharon Torres explained that the BOT was not rushing to adopt this law and emphasized its particular importance for the Village.  Torres stated that this was the first public hearing and more would follow. The Village Attorney is drafting the legal language, and several engineers are reviewing the technical aspects of the proposed law.  Land use boards will also be asked to weigh in.  Gill said an engineer would attend a meeting in February to present suggested changes in the law.

Seasonal Food Establishment at Harbor Island Park

Despite some concerns by residents, the BOT authorized Village Manager Gill to begin discussions with The Mariner to provide a seasonal dining venue in Harbor Island Park during the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day).

Gill emphasized that the schematic from The Mariner (see HERE) is preliminary and selecting them as the preferred vendor is the beginning of the process.  The residents’ concerns voiced at the meeting were largely based on the details of the proposal such as serving alcohol which is currently banned in the park.  They urged the BOT to work with the residents to determine what was needed for a food establishment.

Gill also stated that if this effort becomes a reality, it would not be “exclusive,” that is not the only food option in the park.

Land Use Appeals to Cost Appellants More

The BOT opened a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law (PLL) A of 2026 which would update the funding for appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) when someone disagrees with a decision made by the Building Inspector or a land use board. Sometimes professional assistance is required to adjudicate the appeal and outside professional fees add up quickly.

The current code, Section 23-4 (A), passed in response to numerous appeals by a few parties, states that “In the case of an appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, the cost of professional services required to be paid by an owner of real property within 400 feet of the property that is the subject of permit at issue, or a tenant in that property, must not exceed $1,000.”

Under the proposed law (see HERE), the Village would pay the first $500 and the remaining costs would be split equally between the appellant and the applicant.

At the public hearing, there were three speakers who all opposed the idea of charging the appellants fees to exercise their right to question government decisions. 

Frequent commenter Glenn Tippett exclaimed that “only the rich would be able to appeal.”  Stuart Tiekert, also a frequent commenter, wondered why this item was on the agenda when it had not been discussed by the BOT in a work session.  Former Trustee Dan Natchez pointed out that those responsible for paying would have no control over the costs.  The BOT adjourned the Public Hearing and will discuss the matter at their work session on January 26.

BOT Adopts Ban on EV Stations in Flood Areas

The Village’s Zoning Code was amended to create regulations for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.  See HERE.

As we reported in December, this law establishes requirements for EV stations in the Village.  Highlights of the new law:

·      They are allowed as accessory use only.

·      They are not allowed in a floodplain or flood prone area.

·      There are three levels of stations, depending on size, with increasing levels of permits and review.  Most residential stations would be level one and require an electrical permit.

There is currently an application for a commercial EV station on Mamaroneck Avenue before the Planning Board.   See article HERE.

Grant Update

Assistant Village Manager Dennis Delborgo gave a status report on the Village grant applications.  Labeling the efforts as “very aggressive,” Delborgo reported that the Village submitted 24 grant applications in 2025.  Eight were awarded and the staff is working on the contracts with the granting agencies.  Others are still pending or have been denied.

Currently, Delborgo is working on eight new grant opportunities.