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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 23 November 2016

Created: 23 November 2016

Last Updated: 23 November 2016

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(Here are comments from Mayor Jon Mark delivered at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday November 22, 2016.) Residents looking back on the tumultuous events of 2016—whether on a world, national or Village level -- may be more inclined to ask for mercy and guidance than to offer thanks for our many blessings. However, we here in Scarsdale have much to be thankful for and we should not forget that. We live in a community that through our collective effort gives the highest priority to the education of our children and maintenance of our beautiful Village in the Park. We are far from perfect in achieving the goals we expect of ourselves, but we keep trying and work hard toward doing better. We are able, for the most part to find ways to have community dialogues about matters of importance. While the volume of those discussions is raised from time to time we are willing and able to keep the conversation going and working through our issues though we may not progress at the speed we would like in arriving at solutions.

Next Tuesday, November 29th, we will hold another public meeting at 6:55 pm in Village Hall to hear a presentation by the Library Board of their present proposal for renovating the Library. The Library Board has been working hard on this proposal for several years. The latest iteration of what they propose has been scaled back in response to community feedback and comments from this Board and Village Staff. We will be interested to hear both the presentation and residents' comments on it – both pro and con. It is hoped the meeting will be well attended. Those who do not wish to come to Village Hall on the 29th –or are unable to come – will be able to watch the meeting on the public access cable channel and it will also be streamed live on Scarsdale Public TV's web site. Comments can be emailed to the Board by sending them to clerk@scarsdale.com. One goal of that meeting will be to determine what next steps this Board should take, if any, in moving the project forward. We look forward to seeing many of our fellow residents at the meeting.

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to all and now let us turn to the business of this meeting.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 30 November 2016

Created: 30 November 2016

Last Updated: 01 December 2016

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It felt like the wind had finally changed direction at Village Hall on Tuesday night when the Board of Trustees held a special meeting to consider moving forward on a proposal for a major overhaul to Scarsdale Public Library. It was the first time in recent memory that a Village Board meeting was not dominated by an uncomfortable confrontation about the second revaluation that has all but prevented the Village Board from considering anything else for their entire term.

The lengthy conversation on Tuesday about the future of the library rallied hundreds of residents who crowded Village Hall, eager to express their views on a public/private partnership that would revamp the facility, create a community hub, make the building accessible to those with disabilities and upgrade facilities to reflect new trends in media usage. The $17.9 mm proposal calls for a $7.5 million capitol campaign with the balance funded by a $500,000 grant from New York State and a $9.9 million bond referendum from Scarsdale Village. Proponents note that the Village Board previously committed to spending $4.5 million for necessary infrastructure work to the aging building, and this additional spend would make the library the "intellectual and cultural hub of the Village for generations to come."

Introducing the discussion, Library Board President Terri Simon indicated a new library might be a cure for what ails the Village, saying, "...by bringing our library into the 21st century, we offer a positive, constructive path for Scarsdale to move forward from a challenging time, as a united community." She challenged the trustees to approve the funding and "leave a wonderful legacy for all of Scarsdale."

Library Director Elizabeth Bermel said that the committee had already raised $2mm and had commitments for another $1mm. She said that to date, all the plans and schematics were funded by contributions from donors and that they are optimistic that they can meet their fundraising target.

The Friends of the Scarsdale Library worked with Village personnel on the project and the Village Planner and Treasurer both made presentations to the group. Planner Elizabeth Marrinan said that there was adequate parking at the current library (110 spaces) to support the new building, in addition to adequate parking at Supply Field where a temporary library would be located during construction. Traffic experts analyzed traffic and found no anticipated impacts from the renovation.

Treasurer Mary Lou McClure reviewed the impact on Village finances of a proposed $9.9 million bond which would be repaid in 15 years. She did not anticipate that it would affect the Village's AAA bond rating, but warned about potential tax increases due to unfunded mandates for sanitary sewer replacements. The impact of the additional debt is estimated to be $137 per household per year, for 15 years.

During the discussion about finances, someone from the audience asked Terri Simon what would happen if the campaign failed to reach their fundraising goals. Simon said that "construction bid documents and plans will be done with design alternatives. We do not intend to come back for the taxpayers for more," (if they fail to raise the entire $7.5 million.)

Village Attorney Wayne Essanason explained the law as it relates to a vote on the bond referendum. If the Village Board decides to hold a general referendum and they adopt a resolution before January, the vote would need to take place before February 13, 2017. If the board adopts a resolution between January 1 and March 1, 2017, the vote on the referendum would take place during the general village election on March 21, 2017. The Board of Trustees can also approve the bond as a board, without calling for a general vote from residents.

During the course of the three and a half hour meeting, many residents spoke, both for and against the proposal. The meeting was recorded and you can watch it in its entirety here:

In short, Marian Green, Chair of the Council on People with Disabilities spoke about the importance of making the library handicapped accessible and compliant with provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Lisa Messinger supplied the board with a petition of the proposal with 600 signatures, which she said were "collected over a busy holiday weekend."

Mordechai Beizer did not find the estimate for operating the new library to be credible and believed that three more full time employees, at a total cost of $350,000- $400,000 a year might be needed. He feared a 30% increase in the annual budget of the library and also questioned why a café, outdoor reading deck, maker space and emergency generator were needed.

Library Director Beth Bermel explained personnel needs and said that only additional custodial staff would be required.

Felicia Block discussed, "wants" vs. "needs." She said the library would be an "investment in our community and our children," calling it "an extension of our schools and our homes." She said, "This is not just the want of a few, it is something that our entire Scarsdale family needs."

Jill Spielberg highlighted the importance of making the library accessible to those with special needs and said, "children deserve a library that is appropriate for this time.

Howard Blitman, a former trustee, asked that the project be done at "a price that makes sense." He said, "Yes we need a bathroom and an elevator," but "if we could save $3 to $4 million it would be more acceptable to the people of this village."

Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez, who led the objection to the revaluation, said she had carefully analyzed the library report. She questioned whether there were contingencies in the budget for rising labor costs that could result if the government approves large infrastructure projects. She said, "no one can predict what will happen --- look at the tail risk. You are going to have a labor shortage." She suggested that President-elect Trump might deport undocumented immigrants resulting in a labor shortage. She also asked to see the formula used to project potential fundraising and asked how the Village could validate the construction estimates. She questioned why the Village had to be the "risk taker" in the public/private partnership.

Turning to the results of a recent survey by the Scarsdale Forum, Rodriguez suggested that the data showed that people were not informed about the library and did not think it needed to be renovated now. Scarsdale Forum VP M.L. Perlman came to the mike to correct Rodriguez saying that the purpose of the survey was to engage the public and that it had "high instances of bias" and was designed on an "amateur platform."   She said it indicated that the majority of respondents do support a renovation either "someday" or "immediately."

The Mayor responded saying that he believed that the Village's contribution would be conditional upon the library campaign meeting certain targets, but it was clear that those details had not yet been worked out.

Lynne Clark said that the library is a "vital resource," that must be expanded "to meet the needs of little people and older people." She added, "A beautiful library will be a beacon of light to draw people to Scarsdale," and asked the Trustees not to hold a general referendum.

Mary Beth Evans read a lengthy statement in support of the library renovation from the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale that praised the committee on their fact finding, analysis and process. The League did raise questions about what could happen if private funding was slower than anticipated and there were "shortfalls during construction." She said, "The League does not support putting this to a public referendum. It is within the authority of the Village Board to make this decision."

Carrie Moskowitz objected to the scope and the cost of the project saying we are "already a highly taxed community." She called the project, "scope creep," reflecting a lack of concern about spending other people's money."

Bob Berg told the Board they must decide which comes first, "the chicken or the egg." He called on the Board to agree whether or not the Village's funding commitment would be conditional on the library board raising the$7.5 million in contributions first.

Kathy Steves, a librarian who chairs the annual book sale, told the Board that the library needs an elevator, not a dumbwaiter, as well as another meeting space to be used when the Scott Room is being used to set up and run the book sale.

Preeti Singh said, "The Library Board has smart people who have done their due diligence, and know what we need. I trust them."

Harriet Sobol urged the Board to commit themselves to the bond, rather than hold a general referendum.

Former Mayor Carl Pforzheimer answered concerns about closing the library during the renovations, saying that the New York Public Library had just decided to close the main library on 40th Street and 5th avenue for nearly three years while it is renovated. He urged to the board to modernize the building and to "not be satisfied with patching a 40 year-old design."

Library Board member Diane Greenwald said the plans for the library "hit the sweet spot; and are not too flashy or over the top." She reminded the Trustees that 600 people had signed a petition to support the plan.

Dara Gruenberg, also an integral player on the library committee said, "Scarsdale has a long and revered history of service and giving back to our town through both volunteerism and investment in our resources. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, as residents who carry the mantle of those who came before us and invested in Scarsdale, to leave this town better than we found it."

The outpouring of comments from the community heartened the Village Board of Trustees. Trustee Deb Pekarek said, "This meeting lifted my spirits." Carl Finger said "This was the most enjoyable meeting I have attended in quite some time" and added, "I got a sense of how important the library is to the community." Jane Veron said it was "an honor to work in this community," and expressed her appreciation for the diligent work of the committee.

As the meeting concluded, Mayor Jon Mark said that the Board would have a regular meeting on December 13, 2016 when the conversation would be continued.

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Written by Dan Hochvert

Published: 16 November 2016

Created: 16 November 2016

Last Updated: 16 November 2016

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Beginning in 2014 the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks (FOSP) embarked on an ambitious reclamation of several acres in the heart of the village. Designated as Harwood Park in 1928 in honor of Scarsdale's first planner, the parkland languished for many years without care until FOSP got to work on a comprehensive environmental restoration – after obtaining a grant from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Trees for Tributaries program.

The park is situated on the Bronx River watershed west of the South Fox Meadow Brook, between the Library and the High School gravel parking lot (off Brewster Road). To prepare the ground for planting a large undeveloped section of the park was assessed by a team of FOSP board members, the village Department of Public Works, and the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. Before beginning more intensive work, the DPW members of the team cut an access path from the gravel parking lot to the library. The next step involved removal of debris, pieces of concrete and discarded road signs.

A front loader leveled parts of the area and removed some of the invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed and mugwort. Then further hand digging and cutting was needed to remove the more deeply rooted and stubborn "invaders" to set the stage for the community "Big Planting" in early May 2015. As a prelude to the event, members of FOSP pruned three foot un-rooted twigs from the grove of pussy willow trees in the meadow adjacent to the Library Pond gazebo. Then they dug about thirty 18 inch holes along the western edge of the brook and planted the cuttings. Some of those little twigs have since grown into new 15 foot trees along the stream bank.

Scarsdale's historic, first Community Planting Day was inaugurated on a beautiful Saturday co-sponsored by FOSP and the village. About 150 volunteers of all ages assembled to plant almost 300 native trees and shrubs provided under the grant by the DEC. Beth Roessler, the DEC's regional coordinator who delivered the plants, protective tree sleeves, black weed mats and stakes, gave instructions and the community went to work. Volunteers included the mayor and village trustees, Brownie and Girl Scouts, Boy and Cub Scouts, High School students, members of civic organizations such as the Rotary Club and Scarsdale Forum, and numerous residents accompanied by their children and friends. Before the end of the day, about an acre full of plants began their new life in Harwood Park.

When rain failed to materialize in the first two weeks after planting day, FOSP bought a battery operated pump to enable members of its board to take turns irrigating the new plants, using the brook as the water source. During the ensuing year, a weed whacking attack on invasive plants kept them in check, and FOSP donated and planted another dozen carefully selected native trees. Today, about ninety percent of the 2015 plants have happily thrived and transformed that section of Harwood Park.

Before last winter, the village had a contractor de-silt a major section of the brook alongside the gravel parking lot. The silt was left in the park until early this spring, when the contractor returned to spread the rich silt over a large open field west of the 2015 planting area. The soil on this freshwater wetland floodplain has been ideal for most of the plants, which continue to be cared for by FOSP. By May 2016 the DEC had again provided about 250 native trees and shrubs, and another diligent group of community volunteers continued the restoration in the area between the 2015 planting and Brewster Road. They represented most of the same groups that participated the previous year, and were joined by members of the Bronx River Reservation Conservancy. Today it is rewarding to see High School students and neighbors walking and biking along the path through a restored Harwood Park, where students and their teachers are studying nature, birds are building nests in the newly planted trees and a wide variety of native plants are helping to create a more balanced ecosystem.
FOSP is in the process of planning for a third planting at Harwood Park in spring 2017 that will reforest the floodplain along Brewster Road, enlarge the planting area on the western side of the brook, and establish a beachhead on the easterly bank as part of the ongoing effort to eradicate invasive plants at the edge of that woodland. Anyone who wants to know more about this project and participation in other community restoration work is welcome to contact the authors Madelaine at meppenstein@eppenstein.com or Dan at danghochvert@gmail.com.