Village Board Reviews Priorities: The Human Report and the ChatGPT Version

What are the priorities for Mayor Justin Arest and the newly election Scarsdale Board of Trustees? On Tuesday, May 31 the board held a work session to discuss what they hope to tackle during the current term. It turns out they have a lot on their plate. The meeting extended for three hours.

Among the topics discussed were:

- Public Safety.
- Noise Ordinance.
- Technology & Cyber Security.
- Public Works & Infrastructure.
- Public Pool Renovations.
- Parks, Recreation, and Conservation.
- Government & Administration.
- Finance & Budget.
- Village Center Project.

As an experiment, we tried recording the meeting on Otter.ai and submitting the text to ChatGPT to write an article. See our article first – and CHAT’s version of the first 45 minutes of the meeting at the bottom. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Here’s our version covering some of what was discussed over the three hours:

Public Safety

The new Board spent a considerable amount of time discussing Public Safety, specifically the organization of active shooter drills over summer break and the development of a communication decision tree for emergency situations. Over the summer, the Scarsdale Police, Fire Department, and Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be participating in active shooter drills at Scarsdale schools. Additionally, the Board recognized the necessity of creating clear and well-established avenues of communication in case of emergency events.

Village Manager Robert Cole has been tasked with establishing these routes of communication and will be collaborating with the Scarsdale School District to share this information at a later date. Finally, the Board discussed sending quarterly communications to the community containing relevant information about recommended safety precautions. These quarterly updates would ensure that each Scarsdale resident is aware of any current or changing safety precautions. Further discussion on

Noise Ordinance

The Board continued deliberations on the proposed Noise Ordinance, which would place new restrictions on unwanted or unnatural noise in Scarsdale. A works session to discuss further changes to the proposed law will be held on June 13th, and the Board hopes this meeting will allow them to schedule a public hearing. Additionally, the Board acknowledged the importance of meeting with Village Attorney Nicholas Ward-Willis, to get an expert opinion on the law.

Public Works and Infrastructure

The Board has identified a list of capital projects, which will improve stormwater protection. The comprehensive list of projects will be listed and discussed in greater detail to determine potential benefits and impacts. Through these discussions, the Board hopes to create a prioritized list of the planned capital projects. Additionally, the Board discussed what additional regulations they might implement to make an additional impact on stormwater, such as subdivision regulations. Mayor Arest acknowledged that regulating private properties raises questions concerning potential impacts on the property owners. Finally, the Board also planned to improve the Fire Code at a later date.

Scarsdale Pool Complex Renovations

While discussing the proposed pool renovations, the newly elected trustees decided that more research and information gathering is necessary. The Board felt that despite the research done last year, there was not yet enough information to determine what renovations the community want and would be willing to pay for. Additional research to guide the project will conclude in June and will enable the Board to make a more informed decision on the proposed renovations. One priority was timing to hopefully avoid the closing of the pool during the summer months.

Building Code

Another item on the Board’s agenda was land use. Last year the Board voted to revise some of the Village’s building code to adjust requirements for Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and side yard setbacks in hope of reducing home bulk. Trustees are now asking whether or not these revisions were successful in achieving the desired result? Village Manager Rob Cole suggested asking the Village Planner to analyze the data from last year and the prior year to see what could be deduced.

Field Improvements

Another item that is top of mind for the baseball teams is the condition of the Village’s seven baseball and softball fields. According to a memo from Brian Gray, Superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, the fields need work.

His memo says, “Through years of continuously adding clay and drying agent to maximize field usage, our infield elevations are substantially higher than the grass outfields. Additionally, a lip has formed along the arch between the clay infield and grass outfield, creating a fishbowl effect not suitable for sheeting of water into the outfields during rain events. Furthermore, the subsurface has been compacted to a point that impedes drainage.

He recently submitted a memo to Village Manager Rob Cole analyzing the cost to repair Crossway Fields 1, 2 and 3. Merrone Sports Fields submitted an estimate of $140,000 for the labor, new clay and new sod.

However, the 2023-24 Village and School budgets include funding for a formal field study, of all fields, including Village and School fields. A professional firm will be retained to provide a “good, better and best solution to field renovations, as well as a study of allocation and prioritization of fields based on user participation numbers from all user groups within Scarsdale on both Village and School District fields.”

Therefore, the question for this Village Board is whether or not they should proceed with the work on the fields at Crossway, while this larger study is being planned and done. Or whether they should wait for the outcome of that study to proceed.

Freightway

Yet another infrastructure challenge is the Village-owned Freightway Garage. In 2020, the Village Board, under the direction of Scarsdale Mayor Marc Samwick, entertained proposals to develop the site into a mixed use development with residential units, parking, retailing and public amenities. However after considerable pushback from residents who feared a surge in the school enrollment, plans were scrapped. Now, though safe, the garage remains an expensive property to maintain. As Rob Cole explained, “the structure has passed it’s useful life,” and requires annual repairs for the structure, paint, elevator, decking, drainage and more.

Discussing the project, Mayor Arest mentioned that the 2020 plans did not go through, partially because there was little cooperation between the school district and the village board on estimating potential increases in school enrollment and planning where these students would go to school. Undoubtedly an unpopular subject, the Village Board will need to decide whether or not to reopen the discussion. In her original state budget proposal, Governor Kathy Hochul called for more housing along transit lines, and a transit-oriented development along Scarsdale Avenue may be timely.

As an experiment, we tried recording the first portion of this three hour meeting and asking ChatGPT to synthesize the material and produce an article. Let us know what you think! We value your comments!

Here is what emerged:

ChatGPT AI Article

Title: Strengthening Community Initiatives: A Comprehensive Approach for Future Enhancements

Introduction:

Community leaders in Scarsdale recently held a meeting to address public safety concerns and discuss strategies for improvement. This article combines the key points from the meeting with another update on future enhancements in the community. The shared goal is to enhance coordination, communication, and collaboration, while ensuring that new initiatives align with community values and priorities.

Collaborative Efforts and Priorities:

The meeting highlighted shared priorities in public safety, including emergency communication, coordination, noise ordinance, public safety fleet EV transition, cybersecurity, and fire department volunteerism awareness. Recognizing the importance of collaboration, community leaders stressed the need to work with stakeholders such as the school district to effectively address these priorities.

Coordination, Training, and Communication Strategies:

Efforts to ensure school safety have been ongoing, with the Scarsdale Police Department actively participating in training, drills, and collaborations with the school district. Communication strategies were also discussed, focusing on the development of a decision tree communication process and leveraging specialized vendors for text messaging, geofencing, and emergency notifications. Timely and accurate information dissemination during critical situations is crucial for enhancing public safety.

Quarterly Updates and Engaging the Community:

To maintain transparency and accountability, it was proposed to provide quarterly updates on public safety collaboration efforts to the board. These updates would cover discussions, decisions, joint exercises, and future plans made in various collaborative settings. Additionally, engaging the community through routine public safety updates, balanced with relevant and fresh information, would help residents take necessary precautions.

Expanding Reach and Building Resilience:

The community recognized the challenge of reaching all residents and identified board meetings as an opportunity for public engagement and media involvement. Sharing vital information, such as hurricane preparedness, was emphasized to create a more resilient community. By repeating essential information and suggestions, the goal is to prioritize public safety and ensure preparedness in emergencies.

Future Enhancements and Evaluation:

Apart from public safety, the community has been focusing on other initiatives as well. Evaluating existing services, exploring stormwater management projects, and considering tighter regulations for bushfire control are some of the priorities. Historic preservation, planning-related matters, and evaluating recent code changes are also on the agenda. Community engagement remains crucial throughout this process to gather feedback and ensure accurate information reaches residents.

Conclusion:

The Scarsdale community is committed to enhancing coordination, communication, and collaboration to prioritize public safety. By providing regular updates, engaging the community, and focusing on future enhancements that align with community values, Scarsdale aims to build a prosperous and sustainable future. Efforts to evaluate existing services and explore new initiatives demonstrate the community's dedication to continuous improvement while involving residents in decision-making.