HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000_09_20 Town Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN
BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND THE BOARD
OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2000
AT 8:15 PM IN THE COURT ROOM OF THE TOWN CENTER,
740 W. BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK
PRESENT:
Deputy Supervisor Paul Winick
Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner
Councilwoman Judith A. Myers
Councilman Ernest C. Odierna
Councilwoman Nancy Seligson
ABSENT: Supervisor Valerie Moore O'Keeffe
ALSO PRESENT:
Patricia A. DiCioccio, Town Clerk
Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator
Charlene Indelicato, Town Attorney
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Town Board was called to order by Deputy Supervisor Winick at
8:25 PM, who then pointed out the location of exits.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Winick at 8:25 PM.
Present were the following members of the Commission:
Commissioner: Phyllis Wittner
Commissioner: Judith A. Myers
Commissioner: Ernest C. Odierna
Commissioner: Nancy Seligson
Absent: Commissioner: O'Keeffe
1. Fire Claims
Commissioner Odierna presented fire claims for authorization of payment , thereafter on
Commissioner Odierna's motion, seconded by Commissioner Wittner, it was
RESOLVED, that this Commission hereby authorizes payment of the
following Fire Department claims as approved by the Fire Chief and audited
by the Comptroller's Office:
AAA Emergency $ 50.00
AAA Emergency 2391.05
AAA Emergency 45.00
Arch 37.39
Brewers 77.29
Con Edison 2.00
Con Edison 121.75
Lucent Technologies 50.15
Metro Corn North 483.80
Metro Truck Tire Service 522.24
Motorola 36.00
Printwear 2,033.00
September 20, 2000
Pronto Printer 115.65
R & L Consulting 112.00
Saxony Ice Company 425.32
TCD 70.00
Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department 375.00
Town of Mam'k Professional Fire Fighters 204.36
Sound Shore Pest Control 120.00
Verizon Wireless 40.56
Westchester Elevator 170.00
TOTAL 7.482.56
2. Fire Report for the Month of August 2000
Commissioner Odierna read the following report which outlines responses to calls made
during the month of August 2000. It summarizes the nature and origin of calls, the number of
personal responding and the total times spent at fire calls.
NATURE OF CALLS:
GENERAL 42
MINOR 16
STILLS 03
OUT OF TOWN 00
MONTHLY DRILL 03
EMS 22
TOTAL 86
TOTAL NUMBER OF MEN RESPONDING: 724
TOTAL HOURS RESPONDING: 20 HOURS AND 01 MINUTE
There being no further business to come before the Commission, on motion of
Commissioner Wittner, seconded by Commissioner Odierna, the Commission unanimously
adjourned at 8:35 PM.
AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN
1. Approval of Certiorari
On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was
Resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck that the
Town Attorney is hereby authorized to settle the certiorari action
captioned in the matter of Orienta Bach Club against the Town of
Mamaroneck as follows:
Year Assessment Reduced to
1995 $237,800 $225,900
1996 $237,800 $226,350
1997 $237,800 $192,150
1998 $237,800 $189,900
1999 $237,800 $166,050
2000 $237,800 $166,050
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September 20, 2000
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Wittner - Aye
Myers - Recuse
O'Keeffe - Absent
On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was
Resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck that the
Town Attorney is hereby authorized to settle the certiorari action
captioned In the Matter of 606 MMG Associates against the Town of
Mamaroneck as follows:
Year Assessment Reduction To
1996 $10,600 $5,000
1997 $10,600 $5,000
199g $10,600 $5,000
1999 $10,600 $5,000
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
2 & 3. Report of Bids - Leaf Transportation Contract
Authorization - Intermunicipal Agreement-County of Westchester-Disposal of Leaves
The Administrator suggested we discuss both the County agreement and this contract both
at the same time. He said if we agreed to go with the County contractor for the removal of
leaves, we would have to reject all bids received. He outlined that over the last several
months, the Board has been updated on the alternatives available to the Town for the
removal and disposal of our fall leaves collected from the street. It now appears that a final
solution has been reached that is in the best interest of the Town.
As background, the Town, since 1988 has used the services of the Earthgro Company, now
Scotts Company, to remove our leaves. The service has been an effective means of handling
our fall leaves. 'We do not have enough vacant land for the composting and processing of
leaves therefore we must have them hauled from the Town to a disposal site outside the area.
Last year the County of Westchester began a program to encourage the recycling of all
organic waste including fall leaves. As an incentive to join the program, the County agrees to
charge a dumping fee equal to roughly one half of the dumping fee charged for garbage.
Currently, the County levies a charge of$21.73 per ton for garbage. Communities
participating in the organic waste program pay a fee of$11.51 per ton for organic waste
disposal. The fees are subject to an annual adjustment based upon a formula established by
the County and the municipalities in 1978. The County program offers the potential for
significant cost savings to the Town but that saving is coupled with two operational
concerns.
Most of you know that the leaves of the Town are taken from the street to a staging area at
the rear of the Hommocks School parking lot which is a relatively small space where leaves
are stored before being loaded into tractor-trailers for disposal. In addition to the physical
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September 20, 2000
limitations of the site, there are limitations imposed by the New York State DEC for the
amount of leaves that can be stored at any one time without a permit. For these reasons, the
Town must be certain that a sufficient number of tractor-trailers are available for leaf
removal. In November, it is not unusual to have as many as seven or eight tractor trailers a
day removing leaves from the site.
In addition to the concern for the performance of the County's contractor, there is a
requirement in the intermunicipal agreement that the Town would have to consider hosting
another community's leaves to receive the preferred disposal fee. This means that another
community could request permission to bring their leaves to the Town's staging area. The
Town would have to consider the request. If it is found by the County to be infeasible to
accept the leaves from another community, the Town could continue to receive the preferred
dumping fee. If, in the County's opinion, the Town could accept the leaves but refuses, the
Town would have to pay the full disposal fee of$21.73 per ton for leaf disposal. To address
both of these issues, the Town and the Village of Scarsdale held a series of discussions with
the County. The purpose was to obtain some assurances on the performance of the County
contractor and understand the hosting provision of the agreement. The bid specifications
used by the Town and Village of Scarsdale established performance standards for the
number of trucks to be provided for leaf removal. No such requirement exists in the County
organic waste agreement. However, the County has agreed to amend the language of the
agreement to include the following.
The agreement sets forth the number of trucks that will be available each day for leaf
disposal. The performance bond will provide the Town a recourse to recover costs for leaf
hauling if the County contractor does not perform as per the contract. The second concern
on hosting another communities leaves is important but of less concern. First, our leaf
storage site is very small and likely not big enough for the leaves of another community.
Second, the Village of Scarsdale, City of New Rochelle, and Village of Larchmont all
participate in the County's organic waste program. This being the case, other than the
Village of Mamaroneck, the likelihood of another community requesting the use of our leaf
storage site is small.
Mr. Altieri then explained that in August and September the Town of Mamaroneck and Village
of Scarsdale publicly opened and read bids for leaf removal by a private contractor. Due to
an irregularity in the first set of bid documents, the bids received in August were rejected.
The apparent low bidder in the second set of bids proposed a charge of$5.07 per yard to
remove the leaves of the Town. Approximately six yards of leaves equal one ton in weight.
As a result, the cost per ton based upon the bids received is $30.42 per ton. Each year the
Town removes 14,000 yards of leaves, which translates to 2,333 tons. Based upon the bid
price of$5.07 per yard, our total disposal cost would be $70,969. Under the County organic
waste program, the fee will be $11.51 per ton. Applying the same 2,333 tons of material, our
total cost for leaf removal is expected to be $26,852, a saving of$44,117. It therefore
appears that the best course of action is to participate in the County organic waste program.
Protection has been written into the intermunicipal agreement to assure the performance of
the contractor. Based upon the bid prices received in September, the Town stands to save
money even if we were forced to pay the full garbage disposal fee. Therefore, the
recommendation to the Town Board is twofold. First, to reject the joint bids received on
September 5, 2000 by the Village of Scarsdale and Town Of Mamaroneck under Village
contract#VM-860. Second, to authorize the approval of the attached contract between the
Town of Mamaroneck and the County of Westchester for the removal of organic waste and
that the Town Administrator is authorized to execute the agreement with the County.
On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilwoman Seligson, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby reject the joint
bids received on September 5, 2000 by the Village of
Scarsdale and the Town Of Mamaroneck under Village
contract#VM-860; and
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the
agreement between the Town and the County of Westchester
for the removal of organic waste; and
BE IT FURTHER,
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September 20, 2000
RESOLVED, that the Town Administrator is hereby authorized
to execute said agreement on behalf of the Town.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
Councilman Odierna suggested property owners be notified and reminded not to pile leaves
on fire hydrants.
4. Consideration - Stipulation of Settlement - Civil Service Employees Association
On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
Stipulation of Agreement between the Town and the Civil
Service Employees Association.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
5. Set Public Hearings
INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS - FERNWOOD ROAD
The Administrator said approximately one year ago, the Traffic Committee considered a
request to install a four way stop intersection at Fernwood Road and Clover Street. The
Traffic Committee has generally been opposed to four way stop intersections and the use of
stop intersections to slow down traffic. At that time however, the Committee agreed to install
signs on Fernwood Road that warned motorists of a limited sight distance at the intersection
of Clover Street. The residents have now come back to the Traffic Committee again asking
for the installation of stop signs. Upon reevaluating the problem, the recommendation is to
install Stop signs in both directions on Fernwood Road at the intersection of Clover Street.
On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the date
for a public hearing to consider the adoption of a proposed
local law entitled "Stop Intersection - Fernwood Road Where
It Intersects Clover Street" for October 4, 2000 at 8:15 PM;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
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September 20, 2000
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be authorized to publish the
notice of said hearing in a newspaper appointed as an official
source, and that notice be so posted.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS - HOWELL AVENUE
Mr. Altieri reported that a representative of the Howell Park Association had appeared before
the Traffic Committee to express concern about the increasing number of cars that use
Howell Avenue as a by-pass of the intersection of Palmer Avenue and Weaver Street. As a
result, the Traffic Committee is recommending the installation of Stop Signs on Howell
Avenue at the intersections of Meadow Place and Hawthorne Road. The Stop Signs are
intended to control the traffic traveling on Howell Avenue to create a safer environment for
pedestrians.
On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the date
for a public hearing to consider adoption of a proposed local
law entitled "Stop Intersection - Howell Avenue at the
Intersections of Meadow Place and Hawthorne Road"; and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be authorized to publish the
notice of said hearing in a newspaper appointed as an official
source, and that notice be so posted.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
PROHIBITION OF LEFT TURN - MYRTLE BOULEVARD/PRESTON STREET
The Administrator said the Traffic Committee considered the problem of traffic that bypasses
the intersection of Myrtle Boulevard and Weaver Street by using Preston Street and
Edgewood Avenue. According to residents in the neighborhood, the problem is most acute
during the afternoon rush hour. Members of the Traffic Committee have viewed the area and
at their last meeting deliberated over the best solution to the problem. The Committee's
recommendation to the Town Board is to prohibit left turns from Myrtle Boulevard onto
Preston Street between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the date
for public hearing to consider adoption of a proposed local
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September 20, 2000
law entitled "No Left Turn from Myrtle Boulevard onto Preston
Street"; and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be authorized to publish the
notice of said hearing in a newspaper appointed as an official
source, and that notice be so posted.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
AMENDMENT TO NO TURN ON RED REGULATION - MYRTLE BOULEVARD &WEAVER
STREET
The Administrator said vehicles traveling north on Myrtle Boulevard are permitted to make a
right turn on red onto Weaver Street except during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The
original intention of the regulation was to prohibit right turns during the school hours when
children are walking to and from school. The Traffic Committee, however, is concerned that
due to the limited site distance at the intersection, the right turn on red is an unsafe traffic
movement at any time. Therefore, the recommendation is to prohibit right turns on red at all
times at this intersection.
Councilwoman Myers reiterated what the Administrator said, adding she had been late for a
traffic committee meeting because of an accident at that site. She said that cars tend to inch
out from the corner, its a dangerous situation.
On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the date
for public hearing to consider adoption of a proposed local
law entitled "No Turn on Red from Myrtle Boulevard onto
Weaver Street"; and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be authorized to publish the
notice of said hearing in a newspaper appointed as an official
source, and that notice be so posted.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
6. Salary Authorizations - School Crossing Guard
- Recreation
ADDED ITEM: COURT CLERK
The Administrator requested this item be added which will allow an increase to the Court
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September 20, 2000
Clerk's salary, moving her up a grade level in the salary scale.
On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilwoman Seligson, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize an
upgrade in the position of Court Clerk Denise Cookingham to
job group 11 effective January 2000.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD
On motion of Councilman Myers, seconded by Councilwoman Wittner, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
payment of salary to Roseanne Spiegel as a substitute
Crossing Guard at a daily rate of$57 effective September 25,
2000.
The above resolution was put to a roll call vote:
Seligson - Aye
Odierna - Aye
Myers - Aye
Wittner - Aye
O'Keeffe - Absent
RECREATION
On motion of Councilwoman Myers, seconded by Councilwoman Wittner, it was
RESOLVED, that as provided for in the 2000 Town Budget
that the Town Board does hereby authorize the payment of
salary to the following:
Alana Kelton, Skating School Dir., Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $13,000 for season, eff. 9/18/00 to
5/10/01.
Katherine Bird-loris, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Debbie Rowan, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Diana Moore, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Amy DeNicola, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Dorothy Crowley, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Ann Marie Simone, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Kami Netri, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Penny Doyle, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Rebecca King, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Sheryl McSherry, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Cathy Bonner, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Judith Wolf, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Theresa Aiello, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Karen Hook, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00
Sherry Ammann, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Amy McGowan, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Amy Pelliccio, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Amy Schliftman, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $15.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Sahra Abid, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $15.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
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September 20, 2000
Alys Guttenplan, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $15.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Matha Brougher, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $15.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Mary Marchiselli, Skating Instructor, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $16.00 per class, eff. 9/18/00.
Bobby Lunde, Manager, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $13/hour, eff. 9/20/00.
Jermiah Riggans, Custodian, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $12/hour, eff. 9/20/00.
Kim Rosenthal, EMT/Skate Guard, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $9/hour, eff. 9/20/00
Gina Tunno, Cashier, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $10.50/hour, eff. 9/20/00.
Nick Tunno, Skate Guard, Hommocks Park Ice Rink, $8/hour, eff. 9/20/00.
Adrian Baldor, Key Attendant, Hommocks Pool, $5.50/hour, eff. retroactive to 9/16/00.
Jennie Bucolo, Recreation Office Assistant, $13.00 per hour, eff. retroactive to 9/6/00.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 22, AND JULY 19, 2000
Minutes were not distributed until this evening, therefore they were deferred.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Frank DeCabia, 19 Cabot Road (wrote the following letter)
September 18, 2000
Valerie Moore O'Keeffe, Supervisor
Town of Mamaroneck
740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Dear Madam Supervisor:
My name is Frank DeCabia and I live at 19 Cabot Rd, in Larchmont, NY, a dead
end street that borders the end of the lower parking lot at the Larchmont train
station. I am writing to the Board in the hope that you can help us solve a
recurring problem that has occurred.
As a way of background we moved into the above address on January 29,
1998. Under our driveway is a rain storm reservoir that accepts rain water
through the town's underground piping system, map enclosed, and is then
delivered under the thruway to another "holding area"and then out to the Long
Island Sound. This reservoir has a manhole cover in our driveway for
maintenance and repair access.
On March 8, 1998 a rain storm hit our area, water rushed through the piping
system, accumulating in this reservoir, overflowing out of the manhole cover,
flooding the driveway and lower living area of our home (a raised ranch), with
approximately one and a half feet (1'. 6') of water. Police and fireman came to
our home after we called for help. The rainwater was rushing out of the manhole
cover, down my driveway into the house. The rain subsided, the water withdrew
but the damage remained. We contacted town officials who told us that the
storm was an aberration, that the drainage and piping system is adequate and it
should not happen again, unless we have another 75 years storm. Property and
personal damage; $37,000.
On June 13, 1998 another storm hit the area causing the same flood conditions,
same water height and damage to our home again. Police and fireman came to
the house again; the water was rushing out of the manhole cover, down our
driveway and into our home again. When we notified the town about this flood
an investigation by the Town began. On Sept. 18, 1998, we were notified by the
Town that the cause of the flooding was due to underground piping construction
work that had been performed for the New York State Thruway Authority by
Ecco Construction. Ecco Construction had left sandbags in the pipes under the
thruway when they completed their work in Dee of 1997 causing what appeared
to be the flooding condition. We were subsequently informed by the NYS
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September 20, 2000
Thruway Dept. that the sandbags had indeed been left ill the pipes by Ecco but
were removed on Sept. 16,1998. We believed the flooding problem was now
cured with the removal of the sandbags. Property and personal damage, this
flood; $39,000.
On August 7, 2000 another rainstorm hit our area causing the same exact
flooding and damage to our home. The underground piping system was not
blocked nor compromised in any way. It is now apparent that the capacity of the
reservoir is not adequate to accept heavy rain in any manner any longer, as
increased housing and road pavement construction has outpaced the rain
drainage system in Larchmont over these past 40+years. Property and
personal damage, this flood; $25,000.
Sustained property and personal damage, $101,000. Sustained property
devaluation approximately, $150,000.
As our property borders the end of the Larchmont train station parking lot it
would seem reasonable that a new or second reservoir be constructed under
the Town's parking lot to divert the overrun of rain water away from our house.
The manhole cover and reservoir should never have been placed under our
driveway as it puts our home at certain risk from every rainstorm. This is not an
over reaction to a rain storm, but a real concern born out of necessity to be
protected from what appears to be a drainage system that is inadequate. At this
point we have had to take unusual steps to protect our home, as no solution is
eminent from the Town at this time.
In order to devise an immediate remedy to protect our home from future
flooding, we have had a cement wall constructed in front of my garage
approximately 24"high. We are hopeful that this wall will keep the rainwater out
of our home during the next storm, and although we have effectively lost the use
of our garage, we had no choice but to build this wall. This is a drastic move to
protect our house and belongings no doubt, but we could see no other cure at
this time.
The solution to this problem as we see it is to remove the town's reservoir from
under our property and construct a proper size reservoir under the town's
property. We are hopeful that the Town will take immediate steps in this
direction.
Respectfully submitted:
Francis C. DeCabia
Joanne L. DeCabia
19 Cabot Road
Larchmont, NY
April 13, 1998
Elaine Price, Supervisor
Town of Mamaroneck
740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Dear Madam Supervisor:
On March 9, 1998 our area experienced a torrential rain storm that flooded
streets and overflowed the street drainage system built to accommodate such
occurrences
We are new home owners at 19 Cabot Road, Larchmont, a dead end street that
abuts the Larchmont train station parking lot. This street is also the main water
drainage viaduct for the surrounding streets in the area, precisely Wood St.,
Thompson St., Laural Ave, Myrtle Blvd., Prestin St., Edge wood Ave., Vine St.,
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September 20, 2000
Maple St., Baldwin Ave. and quite possibly, for drainage purposes, Jodson St.,
Hillcrest Ave., Maple Hill Dr, Emerson Rd., Leafy Ave., Dante St., Dimitri Pl.,
Orsini Dr., Byron La., and Homer Ave. It appears that these streets direct their
rain water run off, through a drainage system down Cabot Rd into a large catch
basin at the end of Cabot Rd., then into piping that goes under the NYS
Thruway and out to the Long Island Sound.
At the end of Cabot Road my driveway intersects where the Town has built a
grated drainage manhole to catch flowing water that runs down Cabot Road
Additionally, there is a drainage pipe that runs from Thompson/Laural Sts. under
and through my backyard that enters the drainage system. Approximately 15
feet into my driveway is a second manhole cover(not grated) and when
opened, a large hole or well is exposed, approximately 10 feet deep by 10 feet
wide. This appears to be the catch basin that delivers the rain water to the
Sound. Under normal rain conditions it appears, although 1 am not an expert, to
be adequate.
On this particular night I was told that 4-5 inches of rain fell in a 2-3 hour period,
causing the surrounding streets to overflow, the tide was at it highest level not
permitting the rain water to drain into the Sound, the 10 by 10 catch basin over
flowed and 2 feet of water covered my driveway, entered the lower level of my
home and garage, not to mention the 2-3 inches of standing water on my front
yard due to a depression and lack of street curbing repair on this section of
Cabot Road. The police and the fire department arrived at about 7:00 AM while
the lower area and garage was still under water. The rain subsided, the tide
went out, the water level dropped, but the damage had occurred and was
complete. We sustained$21,000.00 in construction repair damage and
$28,500.00 in personal items lost.
Our reason for this letter is to request that the Town have it's engineer's re-
evaluate the adequacy of the drainage system that failed under these
conditions. Also, we believe it prudent that a new engineer's report on the
adequacy of the 10 by 10 catch basin under my driveway and the strength
capacity of this catch basin to retain and drain the water and hold weight, be
reviewed. Additionally, we wonder when the full length of this underground
drainage pipe, that goes to the L. 1.. Sound, has been inspected for clogs or
obstructions that could prevent the flow of this water run off in an efficient
manner
Each time it rains we find ourselves looking out the windows to check the flood
conditions on Cabot Road, especially the depression on Cabot Rd. which holds
at least 4-6 inches of water no matter how slight the rain storm. This is not a
normal way to live, having to fear your home being flooded each time it rains.
Something must be done to elevate this emotional and physiological fear we
now associate with rain and the drainage system now in place. I can only
believe that the Town will make every effort to correct this problem and we
would respectfully request the opportunity to address the board in a open and
frank discussion on how we can prevent this tragedy from happening again
Enclosed herein are photographs taken the morning of the flood including the
flooded driveway, flooded interior and flooded Cabot Road. Also you will find
pictures of the depression on Cabot Rd., on a dry day and after a "normal"rain
and the washed away street curbing on Cabot Rd. that permits the
accumulation of excess rain water to enter our property.
Yours truly,
Francis C. DeCabia
Joanne L. DeCabia
19 Cabot Road
Larchmont, NY
cc: Charlene Indelicato, Town Attorney
Board Members:
Paul Ryan
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September 20, 2000
Valerie Moore O'Keeffe
Barry Weprin
Phyllis Wittner
He said the problem is not something he wanted to bring to the Boards attention, saying
every rainfall they find themselves looking out the windows to check the flood conditions on
Cabot Road, especially where the road is depressed on Cabot Road. It holds at least 4-6
inches of water no matter how much or little it rains. This is not a normal way to live, we fear
the flooding of our home every time it rains. Something must be done to help us, he
introduced his neighbor who also explained how untenable conditions are. Mr. DeCabia said
he had lost two cars already caused by the flooding. They discussed the physical
characteristics of the land, and of the pipes.
The Board discussed options that could be pursued and requested the Town Administrator
to find out if there were any solutions as soon as possible and to report back to them.
SUPERVISOR REPORTS
Deputy Supervisor Winick announced that Edward Richbell, a descendent of John Richbell
had been visiting our area from England, he had appeared on LMC/TV and had been
interviewed by Supervisor O'Keeffe on WVOX.
REPORTS OF COUNCIL
Councilman Odierna said he had attended the Westchester Municipals Officials Association
meeting where they had discussed internet voting, which was innovative and interesting. He
said last night L.I.F.E. (Local Involvement For Environment) had honored Town Board
members who had kept Bonnie Briar an open recreation area.
Councilwoman Myers said the Larch mont/Mamaroneck Youth Council was starting its third
year of enrollment for sophomores,juniors and seniors who lived in our Community, and
anyone wishing to enroll could pick up an application at the Recreation Department.
Ned Ryan, a resident, asked to speak. He said he wanted it put on the record that he had
encountered problems at the Fire House when requesting meeting space for his Association.
He wanted to set up a meeting with this Board and the Supervisor to discuss alternatives or
ways to address the situation and to formulate recommendations.
ADJOURNMENT
The Deputy Supervisor said that the next scheduled meetings would be October 4 and
October 18. There was also a brief discussion on the law regarding the keeping of fowl and it
was decided to cancel the public hearing.
On motion made and seconded the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Submitted by
Patricia A. DiCioccio, Town Clerk
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September 20, 2000
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