by Kathy Savolt -
Standing on the bridge in Columbus Park at the confluence of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers, officials from New York State, Westchester County, and the Village and Town of Mamaroneck gathered to celebrate what they described as a big step forward in dealing with flooding in the Village.
State Assemblyperson Steve Otis and State Senator Shelley Mayer first announced that an additional $10.85 million was approved in the State budget to cover the increase in the State’s share of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) project. This brings the total commitment by the State to $27.9 million.
But there’s more. Otis and Mayer, joined by the interim Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Sean Mahar, announced a new cooperative approach to help the Village of Mamaroneck with climate resiliency and flood mitigation efforts. With funds from the State (“wherever we can find them,” said Otis), and Westchester County, projects will no longer have to wait for the large ACE project to begin. Smaller projects are being identified, grant funding will be made available and a list of work with specific timelines is being prepared. Mahar mentioned $4.2 billion in funding available statewide from the latest Environmental Bond Act.
County Executive George Latimer, who recounted his near miss of losing his vehicle during the April 2007 flood while in his (then) office on Mamaroneck Avenue, reported that the County had also increased their share of funding the ACE project by $7 million for a total of $17 million. He reiterated that the County is a partner with funds at the ready to help the Village. He stated that he and County Legislator Catherine Parker are prepared to start the process to bond the funds tomorrow. Parker emphasized that the great partnership that has been established and said, “we’re ready to march!”
After the press conference, resident Bernie Camarda expressed what is sure to be the reaction of some Village residents by saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
As Mayor Sharon Torres has previously reported, regular Zoom meetings and phone calls have been taking place with ACE, DEC, our state elected officials, representatives from the County and Village staff to iron out the details. Torres said that multiple projects have been identified and thanked all the partners and told the Village residents, “We heard you.”
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