Engineers Explore Options to Alleviate Flooding Around Cayuga Pond
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The village is still looking for a solution to the periodic flooding in the area bordered by Oneida, Seneca and Cayuga Roads, which peaked in 2007 and again during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011. After Hurricane Irene, a Cayuga Road resident with a pool found water rushing into his basement and fish swimming in his pool. In response to complaints from homeowners, Scarsdale Village has retained engineers Dvirka and Barticlucci of White Plains to do an analysis of the problem and recommend solutions. The firm came before the Municipal Services Committee and concerned residents on May 31 to share their findings and explore options.
The problem is easy to understand. Homes in the affected area are built on a FEMA designated flood plain flood plain and previous to the construction of the development in 1960, this area served as a drainage basin. Since the entire area is flat and has a high water table, there is no slope to move water away -- and it’s not possible to dig deep retention basins as the water table is too high.
Engineers came up with two options for improving, but not completely alleviating the flooding using dry detention underground with infiltration and moving the water away from the site using pumps or gravity. According to the engineers’ simulations, using dry detention in the two ponds they could alleviate flooding from a “2 year” storm, meaning one where 3.5 inches of rain falls in 24 hours. However, for volumes above that, there would still be flooding in the area. For instance, in a 100-year storm like Hurricane Irene, 7.5 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period and the recommended plan would not avoid flooding in extreme storms.
To start, the firm recommends that two ponds in the area, Murray Hill Pond and Cayuga Pond be converted into true storm water detention 
ponds. They currently provide no storm water attenuation. They recommend the removal of 6 to 12 inches of silt from Cayuga Pond, and removal of debris and sediment in Murray Hill Pond. They also suggest that the storm water piping be rehabilitated to improve conveyance. The approximate cost for the above is estimated to be at $1.6 to $2 million.
As an extra measure, to keep homes dry in more severe storms, the engineers recommended building underground storage detention in private yards or pumping the water away from the site to underground retention basins that could be built at the Scarsdale Middle School. This option is far more costly and requires the construction of detention basins under the playing fields at the school.
In a discussion following the presentation residents made other suggestions about what could be done.
One suggested building up the ground around Cayuga Pond in a berm to block the water from flowing out. Another wanted to widen the existing culvert to accommodate more water – though the engineers were doubtful that this would work as the area is flat. For a larger detention basin more land area was needed and the engineers did discuss storing it on the golf course that surrounds the development – however cooperation would be needed.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Trustee Kay Eisenman who chairs the Municipal Services Committee told the group that the “staff would look at all the comments they heard, spend two or three weeks evaluating them and then come forward with what they think can or cannot be done.”
Following the meeting residents discussed yet another option – proposing that Scarsdale Village purchase three homes in the area that are prone to flooding. The homes could be taken down and the property used for water retention. However this would be a costly undertaking for the village as it would need to pay for the homes and lose ongoing real estate tax revenues. This idea may be more wishful thinking on the part of homeowners than a workable solution for Scarsdale. It was evident at the meeting that homeowners are anxious for decisions to be made and work to begin to safeguard their homes before another "ten year" storm occurs.
Scarsdale Police Chief Nabs White Plains Burglar
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According to Scarsdale Police Chief John Brogan, he was about to leave headquarters for the holiday weekend on Friday 5-25 when he heard a hotline broadcast from the White Plains Police about two burglars who had just fled a Cushman Road home. One was said to be in a car and the other on foot. Brogan was already out of uniform but decided to jump in his car and participate in the search. Minutes later, while he was headed north on Walworth Avenue to get onto the Bronx River Parkway he spotted a man who matched the description of one of the suspects walking rapidly in the street. The suspect was wearing a red shirt and blue pants and looking nervously behind him.
Brogan radioed for reinforcements, turned his car around and stopped at the intersection of Greenacres Avenue and
Minutes earlier, the White Plains police stopped the other suspect who had fled Cushman Road in a silver car. The driver was identified as Daniel Moreno, age 33 of Flushing. According to the Cushman Road homeowner, he had returned to his house at 4:15 pm on Friday and come upon Torres and Moreno in the process of robbing his house. Both were charged with second-degree burglary.
We asked Brogan why he thought the two had targeted the home on Cushman Road and he said that both men claimed to work at a golf club on Ridgeway in White Plains. Brogan credits the Scarsdale Police with acting quickly to converge on Greenacres after the alert and forcing the suspect out of the neighborhood onto Walworth Avenue.
Drunk Driver: At 3:34 am on 5/25police found a 2007 Jeep stopped in the southbound lane of Palmer Road near Mamaroneck Road blocking traffic. The car was idling and police opened the door and found the driver asleep. Police woke the man who identified himself as Andrew Masciangelo, age 38 of Phoenixville, PA. Police smelled alcohol on Masciangelo’s breath and they administered sobriety tests which he failed. He was brought to headquarters and found to have a BAC of .20. His car was impounded and towed and he was charged with DWI.
Arrest: On 5/21 Sara Doolan, age 22 of New Rochelle surrendered herself to Scarsdale Police in response to an outstanding bench warrant for driving without a license and speeding on February 18, 2012 at 12:45 am. She was released and given a court appearance date.
Harassed: An employee of Chase Bank on East Parkway reported the receipt of approximately 25 harassing phone calls between November 1, 2011 and May 23, 2012. The male caller claimed that she is being sued for failure to pay for a loan from “Cash Advance,” an internet loan company. The caller wants her to make two payments of $262.50 each, though the woman says she did not borrow money from “Cash Advance.” Police called back the number the woman provided and the man cursed and hung up. On a second phone call from the police, the man insisted that he will continue to call.
Identity Theft: At Chase Bank on Palmer Avenue, a woman claiming to be Violeta Cruz attempted to withdraw $4,195 from her account on the afternoon of 5/24. The teller noticed a discrepancy in age between the person at the window and the account holder and alerted the manager. At that point, the suspect asked for her id back and left the bank. Police canvassed the area but did not find her – however there is a video of the woman entering her car.
A Valley Road woman reported that someone used her social security number to make $1,113.59 in purchases from Lord and Taylor and spend $756.68 at Macy’s between 4/5 and 5/27. Though the Scarsdale woman was in possession of her credit cards, the suspect was able to make fraudulent charges to her accounts using her social security number.
Theft: A Scarsdale dad reported the theft of an iPod from his son’s backpack while he was at school on April 16, 2012.
Vandalism: A mailbox on Gatehouse Road was damaged overnight from 5/25-5/26. The support post was ripped from the ground and the box was damaged. Also that night three outdoor light fixtures were stolen from a home on Harvest Drive and later found on a neighboring property. One of the fixtures was damaged.
Following a dispute on the morning of 5/28, one many keyed another’s car in the parking lot of the Metro Diner on Scarsdale Avenue. The police were called and they found the suspect who admitted to scratching the other man’s 1998 Toyota. However, the owner of the car did not wish to press charges.
Dog incidents: While walking on Madison Road on the morning of 5/21, a woman from White Road reported that she was bitten by a dog. However, the small white dog only nipped at her pants and they were not damaged. Also on 5/21, the owner of a dog who lives on Berkeley Road was issued a summons when his dog was found loose on Greenacres Avenue. On 5/23, a small white and brown dog was found in a Greenacres Avenue yard. Though the dog had a collar, there were no tags. Police called the New Rochelle Humane Society and they retrieved the dog.
Turtle in the road: Police were alerted to a turtle sitting in the middle of Taunton Road at 9:47 am on 5/26. They were able to get the turtle into a box and return it to the pond.
Misplaced Asphalt Shingles: An Innes Road woman found a pallet of asphalt roof shingles in her driveway on May 22 -- but she was not having her roof done. The pallet had no shipping receipt or identification. Police advised the woman to contact the sanitation or highway departments to see if they could pick up the roofing.
Runaway: A concerned Ross Road mother called police around 1:30 on the afternoon of 5/25 when she got into a dispute with her 12 year-old son and he left the house with a black roller bag. Police came to the house and spoke with the boy’s father who said that the boy had been picked up by his grandmother and was fine.
Hit and run: On Friday afternoon 5/25, a Tarrytown woman was in her car in the Freightway Garage when the driver of a Suburban made a U-Turn, hit her car and drove off. The woman was able to note the license plate number which she provided to police who found that the car belonged to Carman Road man who had lent it to his grandson. The 16 year-old grandson, who lives on East Hartsdale Avenue admitted to the hit and run and was given a summons.
It's a Wrap: Scarsdale Public Safety Building is Officially Open
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Chief John Brogan took the podium at the official opening of Scarsdale’s state-of-the-art public safety building on Saturday May 12 and said it all, with a “Hallelujah.” The building has been in the works since 2001 and it has been a long road to hoe for all involved.
According to Village Manager Al Gatta, planning for the new facility began in 2001 when someone slipped in the original 1924 building. As there were no closets for wet fire clothes, a firefighter returned to the old facility, dripped water on the floor, and someone fell, instigating a call to Gatta that started the ball rolling. The Village began to plan a new building that would have
Architects Peter F. Gaito and Associates were retained to design an expanded building on the existing site. Plans called for the renovation of the 17,250 square feet of existing space and an addition of 8,950 square feet. The new building would be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
On Saturday so many who were involved in the ten year project turned out to participate in the official opening
All who spoke mentioned the features of the new facility, echoed community pride and thanked everyone for their perseverance.
The moving ceremony began with the Police Emerald Society playing the pipes and drums followed by a presentation from the color guard. There was an invocation from Reverend Monsignor John T. Ferry of IHM followed by remarks from Chiefs Brogan and Cain, Mayor Flisser, Village Manager Gatta, Assemblywoman Paulin, Legislator Ryan and Deputy County Executive Plunkett.
Next was the official ribbon cutting with Mayor Flisser doing the honors. The Greenacres Neighborhood Association honored the opening of the building and the neighborhood’s 100th anniversary with the contribution of a Heritage River Birch tree for the building entrance. Neighborhood Association President Kathy Steves called the tree a house warming present for the building and thanked and congratulated all.
Parking To Get Even Scarcer in Scarsdale Village
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Construction is due to begin on the Bronx River Parkway in Scarsdale on a new bridge at Crane Road to replace the 1924 bridge that is now, according to Westchester County, in “poor condition.” The entire project will take almost three years, (34 months) and will start by on June 1, 2012.
In order to accommodate the construction equipment, Scarsdale granted Westchester County an easement to use approximately 17 parking spaces, or half of the Merchant’s Lot next to the Scarsdale Train Station for the entire length of the project. The County paid the Vilage $267,000 for the use of the space.
Approximately 10 months from now, in March 2013, the north and southbound Crane Road exits from the Bronx River Parkway to Scarsdale Village will close for two years. In order to get to the Village from the Parkway, drivers will need to exit at Harney Road and drive up Scarsdale Avenue.
This means that for the next three years, it will be even more difficult to access Scarsdale Village and park once you get there. Merchants who parked in that lot will need to enter into a lottery for the remaining available spaces. Those who are not given a space there can apply for a spot on Scarsdale Avenue or in the Freightway Garage on the village website.
It is puzzling why the Village would allow the County to take over half of one of the much-needed parking lots in the Village at a time when the bridge work will make it difficult to get to the Village. Though the Village needed the funds they were paid for the easement, the benefit does not go directly to the retailers who will bear the brunt of the inconvenience. Shoppers and merchants, who are already suffering from the lengthy construction project on the Popham Road Bridge, will now have to withstand three more years of disruption.
Goodbye to Scarsdale
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The following was submitted to Scarsdale10583 by Harry Reynolds who ran for Scarsdale Village Trustee as an independent candidate in March, 2012: Resignation to one’s fate takes practice. My fate today is answering last week’s soporific article by the Non Partisan trio of Dan Hochvert, Bill Kay, and Bruce Wells, three genuinely good hearted men who have the cult-like belief that secrecy is a “term [that ] does not apply” to the Non Partisan party. They claim that potential candidates are diligently vetted, are not asked about any issues because where they stand can only be learned after they take office, and that “relatively little in the party’s procedure is confidential”. They do not say what drives them to appear on stage now, a month after the election, to make their bold, outrageously false claim that there is no secrecy in their party.
When in March I ran for Trustee, the Non Partisan party, including the Non Partisan trio, did not answer my argument that the party keeps secret the identities of persons seeking its nominations to elective office and that it keeps secret what is said when those applicants appear before the nominating committee where neither the applicant nor the committee itself may discuss any issues. The Non Partisan party is the only party on earth that has no core political belief and no issues of any kind. Their nomination committee’s object is to divine from the aura given off by the applicant’s history whether she is fit to be a mayor or trustee in an uncontested election in which she will neither campaign, nor make promises, nor raise or debate any issues. According to the Non Partisan party, this is “representative government in its purest and most democratic form”, notwithstanding that its total lack of transparency leaves Scarsdale’s citizens to walk around its electoral process like unemployed extras on a movie lot.
The Non Partisan trio’s article did not tell you that they defend its secrecy about the identity of applicants on the ground that applicants would fear embarrassment should the public learn that they had not been nominated. I attacked that kindergarten defense because the public’s supervening right to know who were rejected is necessary for it to determine the integrity and judgment of the nominating committee. It enables the public to see whether the party has discriminated against anyone or has manipulated the system for the advancement of the interests of individuals within the system. For example, are you aware that out of at least 17,000 residents in the village two of the present trustees are marital partners of persons actively engaged in the Non Partisan system? Ask the Non Partisan trio how that came about and you will be told that it is a secret. Ask them how it was that David Lee was nominated as trustee when the published descriptions of Robert Selvaggio and David Lee show, in what must be the opinion of many, that Selvaggio was unquestionably the superior applicant. They will say that that, too, is a secret.
Last, and this is the big kicker, the Non Partisan system, including the Non Partisan trio, requires you to accept their party’s belief that you should not be told what a prospective trustee or mayor knows, thinks, believes, plans, or desires concerning issues directly affecting your lives and those of your children. Is that secrecy proof of a “representative government in its purest and most democratic form” or is it a fascist’s dream? Indeed, is it not the most harebrained belief that you will find in any electoral system in the West? What did the Non Partisan candidates answer in March when confronted by it? Nada, niente, klum, nothing. When Non Partisan candidates run in elections, they run with their heads kept very low.
After much reflection, we have decided to leave Scarsdale, but without leaving it. How so?
Our organization, relying upon Village Law, § 9-912 plans to propose this winter a change in the name of Scarsdale. Until that time, our organization will be at large in the village soliciting proposed names from residents who oppose the Non Partisan party’s practice of governance by secrecy. We will invite our ingenious high school students to join the search. Surely, they constitute a well, if not a pit, for names for our wonderful village to whom they owe so much for their expensive educations. As a public service, of course, we will disclose periodically the names variously proposed for our village, names selected in the main by our temperate citizens in good taste.
