Residents Question Halstead Avenue Safety After Accident
by Kathy Savolt and Cindy Goldstein
Concerned residents attended a special Board of Trustees (BOT) session hastily scheduled between the Work Session and the Legislative Meeting.
The BOT changed the Work Session start time and delayed some agenda items so that this meeting could take place quickly after the unfortunate traffic accident on Wednesday, October 21st, when a nine-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle that reportedly went through the light at the intersection of Halstead and North Barry Avenues. The child had no serious physical injuries.
The meeting began with updates on the police investigation and the ongoing, years-long Halstead Avenue Safety Improvement Project.
Update from the Police Department
Lieutenant Mark Gatta of the Mamaroneck Police Department gave an update on the investigation. He reported that the accident occurred at 1:43 pm (when the child was walking home from school) and a crossing guard was present. Gatta said that a vehicle was westbound on Halstead and making a left on North Barry and another car went past it on the right and struck the child. He also stated that it has not yet been determined whether the light was red (as had been circulated) and that the investigation was ongoing. The driver received a citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, that citation is subject to change.
Halstead Avenue Project Update
Assistant Village Manager Dennis Delborgo presented both a history and an update on the Halstead Avenue Improvement Project which has been on the table for at least three years (see previous article HERE). Delborgo summarized the problems along Halstead Avenue and the measures planned to address them (see HERE). The project, which addresses the length of Halstead Avenue within the Village (Mamaroneck Avenue to the Harrison border), is now estimated to cost $4.2 million in construction costs and $493K for design, for a total of over $4.7 million. The project is currently in the design phase, which is 90% complete. Delborgo said they expect construction bid documents to be ready to go out to bid in January 2027, with construction beginning in Spring 2027 and finishing by the end of the summer.
At the suggestion of a resident Delborgo said he would explore starting the work with the most troubled spots first (intersections of both Halstead and Ward as well as North Barry) rather than starting at one end and working from there. He also stressed that the project is grant-funded, and the scope of work had to be revised to accommodate available funding which took time. Most of the project is funded by a Federal Department of Transportation grant passed through and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. This grant will cover 80% of eligible costs and the Village is responsible for the remainder. There is $1 million in the current multi-year Capital Plan for pedestrian safety projects. Delborgo also mentioned the time needed to work with the various governmental agencies.
Residents Speak Out
There were approximately two dozen parents of school-aged children in attendance and eight of them addressed the BOT. Diana Reilly from Rye Neck Safe Routes to School and Tina Maresca, chair of the Village Traffic Commission, also addressed the Board. The young boy who was injured also attended with his family.
Understandably, the parents were upset and concerned about their children’s safety. Rye Neck is very walkable, and many children walk or bike to their schools. There were several recurring themes: ongoing safety and children’s fears, why the project has not been moving faster, several years of appearing before the Traffic Commission without any perceivable progress and what interim measures could be taken now.
Many of these concerns were answered in the opening presentations. The issues of interim measures and communication to the Traffic Commission (TC) and between the TC and the BOT stood out as needing further discussion.
Interim Measures
Referencing the interim measures taken near the Mamaroneck Avenue School after the June 20, 2024 fatal accident, the board discussed temporarily placing bollards. Increased signage, police presence and an additional crossing guard at the Halstead - North Barry intersection were also mentioned.
Delborgo said he would work with other relevant Village departments on the bollards, but he cautioned they were flimsy and could give a false sense of security. Several have been replaced on Mamaroneck Avenue as they break easily. Mayor Sharon Torres and Village Manager agreed to work with the police department on a possible increased police presence.
Resident Katie Pagos requested responses to her concerns by November 6th. Gill promised responses next week but did not commit to a specific date.
Traffic Commission
Diana Reilly, parent volunteer Co-Chair of Rye Neck Safe Routes to School, reported she attends the TC meetings every month and has concluded that “we can do better.” She believes that communication between the TC and the BOT is an issue and must be addressed. (Note: Trustee Maria DeRose is the current liaison to the Traffic Commission and is the third liaison in three years. Previously, Trustees Kushnick and Yizar-Reid served in that role.)
Tina Maresca, volunteer Chair of the TC, spoke about TC members' frustration. She reported that Rye Neck issues have been raised – “along with about 100 others.” She feels the process is reactive, not proactive, and asked, “How can we do better?”
Follow Up
Mayor Torres concluded the meeting by reminding everyone that there is another factor in the equation – the drivers. She reminded everyone to drive more carefully and be more aware. With Halloween this weekend, she read a list of Halloween Safety Tips for children and parents, but also for drivers.
Torres and Gill assured the audience they will provide regular updates on these issues. Gill is compiling an email list of people interested in getting information and asked anyone to send an email to her at kgill@vomny.org to be put on the list.
Torres sends out periodic Mayor Updates and anyone can sign up for her newsletter at storres@vomny.org. Subscriptions to all Village news can be processed HERE.
