Scarsdale Library Celebrates Opening After Ten Years of Planning and Building
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Bermel Cuts the Blue Ribbon: Photo Credit Andi SchreiberIn a triumph of community collaboration, generosity and optimism Scarsdale celebrated the long awaited ribbon cutting for the newly renovated and expanded Scarsdale Public Library on a crisp spring morning on Friday May 7, 2021.
In the audience were about 70 believers who took the transformation of the library from an antiquated and cramped warren of shelves and offices to a 30,000 square foot glass and steel media hub that will serve the community in the century to come. In the process they reimagined the purpose and function of libraries, creating a model of how a library can facilitate an entire town from toddlers to seniors. The inviting suite of rooms spaces will attract first time readers, teens, scholars, at-home workers and seniors and meeting rooms will host speakers, meetings, classes and events
The process spanned ten years and encountered many hurdles. The first was to convince a reluctant Village Board to commit to a public private partnership that required an ambitious fundraising plan. A dedicated campaign committee, formed by the Friends of the Scarsdale Library, sought training in how to fundraise and then embarked on a multi-year initiative to garner $7.5 million in donations, the largest campaign in Scarsdale’s history.
Current and former Village Trustees: Photo Credit Andi SchreiberAnother hurdle included "right sizing" the project. Early plans came in with a high price tag and had to be scaled back by more than $2 million to align with community tolerances. Then ground testing revealed that site conditions would require more design engineering. Luckily, creative solutions were available at every turn, generated by dedicated consultants in consultation with a determined building committee. A bond was passed and Scarsdale donors stepped up.
In 16 months, the Campaign raised $8M, exceeding their goal by half a million dollars and demonstrating Scarsdale’s commitment to improving the library. Even when cost overruns occurred, Library leaders identified funds to cover construction without putting an added burden on taxpayers. But securing the funds was only one the initial hurdle.
During construction an interim home had to be found for the library. Another $750,000 including $500,000 from a state grant secured by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, was used to build out a satellite library at Supply Field which served as the library’s home for two years,
Jane Veron, Elyse Klayman, Felicia Block, Dara Gruenberg, Amy Paulin, Elizabeth Bermel, Diane Greenwald and Margot Millberg
Throughout this period, a changing roster of Friends of the Library and Library Board members in cooperation with the Village and Library Director Elizabeth Bermel remained determined to meet their goal. And even when the library was finally complete in the fall of 2020, yet another obstacle fell in its path. The corona virus prevented the public from entering the dazzling building which remained virtually empty until March 2021.
It’s no surprise that many choked back tears as their dream came to fruition last week when they watched Elizabeth Bermel struggle to get through her remarks and cut the official ribbon to mark the library’s opening.
Among the attendees were the Mayor, former and current Village Trustees, Friends of the Scarsdale Library, former and current members of the Library Board, Village staff, representatives from the Westchester Library Association, neighborhood association presidents, county and state officials, library employees and community members who gave time and money to the effort.
Library Board President Felicia Block opened the ceremonies and thanked many who were responsible for bringing the project to fruition. She said, “This project was the result of years of hard work, a beautiful public private partnership, under the leadership of so many. So please forgive me as I begin by thanking the Scarsdale Library Presidents from the past ten years.
Diane Greenwald
Margot Millberg and Elyse Klayman. Photo Credit: Andi Schreiber
Elyse Klayman
Barbara Josselsohn
Terri Simon
Michelle Lichtenberg
Margot Milberg
From dreaming it - to planning it - to building it. You led us through it all. While you are not standing with me physically, you are all up here with me as we share this incredible day together.”
Dara Gruenberg, the President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library and co-chair of the capital campaign, thanked fundraising consultants Plan A for “turning a group of amateurs, many of whom were afraid to ask anyone for money, into fundraising ninjas.” She called the process, “magic.”
Gruenberg said, “What a fantastic, albeit circuitous, journey this has been -- from the glimmer of an idea for a 21st century library a decade ago to the reality of this incredible building behind me – it is hard to believe this day has come! This reimagined library is truly the most special project I have ever been a part of. It is not just because the building is magnificent and the possibilities for the space are endless, it is because of all of you. The teamwork, partnership, and perseverance demonstrated by so many imbue every square inch of this building. It is remarkable. And perhaps, the theme throughout this chapter in our library’s history is a community coming together to reimagine its center for lifelong learning and to ensure that it will benefit Scarsdale for generations. The relationships that were forged along the way are so dear, and the magic, because really there is no other word for it, surrounding this project is unforgettable.”
Andrew Sereysky, Michelle Lichtenberg and Mona LongmanMayor Jane Veron said, “Today is a day that dreams come true. I’m overcome with pure joy and tremendous appreciation. How exciting that we’re all here together to celebrate our beloved community treasure and to mark an important moment in Scarsdale’s history. When I look at our newly renovated and expanded library, I see not only exquisitely modernized inviting space but also the embodiment of what makes Scarsdale so special: a commitment to lifelong learning, inclusiveness, and community engagement. Very personally, this gorgeous building is also a symbol, a reminder to me, of what we can accomplish when we all pull together.
Over a decade ago, we embarked on a journey. And every one of you here played an important part. To push this project forward, you shared huge quantities of your time, talent, insight and expertise. I don’t need to tell you - the path to today was not easy. There were many ups and downs, advances and setbacks, challenges and small victories. But this group was undeterred, truly unstoppable. A reimagined library became a community movement.”
Choking back tears, Library Director Elizabeth Bermel, who was with the team every step of the way said, “As I look around this crowd, which I didn’t even think would be possible a couple months ago, I feel like I’m a guest on “This Is Your Life.” Because, let’s be honest, this project has dominated my life for about a decade, and every one of you has played a significant role in some way. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.”
“The ups and downs are too many to mention, but no project can exist without them. But, really, a pandemic? There were tears, there was cursing, but there was a lot of laughter and celebration as well. The support and encouragement during the downs and the shared joy during the ups mean more to me than you will ever know. I cannot possibly publicly acknowledge all of you individually, but I echo the sentiments of earlier speakers, and I hope each of you knows what you have done for this project and for me, personally and professionally, and you have my deepest gratitude.”
Jon Mark and John Harris
“….. Scarsdale prides itself on its spirit of volunteerism, and this project proves it in spades. I can’t even begin to calculate the hours your friends and neighbors have contributed to making this dream come true. And for that, I say: Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“So, cheers to every last one of you. May the Scarsdale community enjoy the fruits of our labor for generations to come.”
On May 10, The library announced expanded in-person hours and services. Visit the new library during these hours:
Mondays: 1 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday: 1 PM – 8 PM
Thursday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Friday: 11 AM - 4 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 4PM
Attend the "Love our Library" Spring Celebration for families, Saturday May 15 from 10 am to 4pm. Sign up here:
All Restrictions on Restaurant Dining to be Lifted May 19, COVID Counts Going in the Right Direction
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Though only 40% of Westchester’s 967,000 residents have been fully vaccinated, it’s not an issue of availability. At his weekly briefing on Monday May 3, 2021, County Executive George Latimer reported that between the Westchester County Center, the Yonkers Armory and two county clinics, 338,000 people have been vaccinated. And when you add in other locations, the total is 380,217 vaccinated people in Westchester. In fact, he projects that the county’s supply of the vaccine will soon outstrip demand.
In order to vaccinate more residents, the county is opening pop-up or satellite locations so that they can bring the vaccine to neighborhoods where people will have an easier time accessing them. The county has collaborated with the NY Knicks to launch a campaign to encourage younger adults to get vaccinated. The campaign targets younger adults and their parents with posters, a video and a social media campaign in English and Spanish that says, “I Kicked COVID to the Curb.” Watch the video here.
In the meantime, all COVID statistics for the county are moving in the right direction. As of Sunday May 2, there were 2,187 active COVID cases in Westchester, a decline of more than 1,000 cases from 3,208 the prior week.
In Scarsdale there are only 14 active cases.
As of Sunday Saturday May 2, 116 people were hospitalized due to COVID, down from 131 the prior week and weekly deaths have fallen into the single digits.
Another positive sign is the news that all capacity limits on restaurants are expected to be eliminated on May 19, though tables will still be required to be six feet apart.
Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway kicked off on Sunday May 3 and will continue throughout the summer until the end of October. This is a change from prior years when Bicycle Sundays were suspended during the summer months.
In other news, the MTA reports that subways will resume 24 hour service on May 17, 2021, ending months of nighttime closures.
Introducing the Color of the Year
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This article was written by Tonie Germie, Architectural & Design Representative, Long Island and Westchester for Benjamin Moore & Co. Wallauer is the largest Benjamin Moore paint dealer in Westchester and has 15 locations across Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counties. For more information and to find a location near you click here.
Wallauer’s annual celebration of color is the result of a yearlong exploration into design, art, fashion, cultural and environmental influences around the globe. From Benjamin Moore’s library of over 3,500 colors, they curate a Color Trends palette that balances modern-day relevance with long-lasting appeal. At the center is one special hue that defines the palette—and the moment.
This year’s color of the year is Aegean Teal.
Aegean Teal is an exceptionally balanced color with just the right amount of saturation, with a slight touch of gray that makes this appealing mid-tone easy to pair with other colors and materials. The result is an intriguing and engaging color with both complexity and depth.
Aegean Teal, brings together the associations of blue and green for a calming and restorative quality. In some cultures, teal is believed to be a symbol of infinity, truth and clarity of thought – symbolism that is particularly meaningful for 2021.
When developing the palette for 2021, much of the discussion centered around colors that had an organic, rooted and welcoming quality. Many of the colors in our consideration set fell to the warmer side of the color wheel, with a selection of cooler hues that complemented this warmth for an accordant feel.
As they combed through our collections, the palette evolved and shifted, leading to a selection of colors that appropriately conveyed a grounded sensibility for 2021. Ultimately, they curated a palette twelve comforting, sunbaked hues that radiate warmth and wellbeing, in addition to feeling modern with time-tested appeal.
This year, focuses on mid-tone colors that balance out the deeper and paler colors in the palette to offer a breadth of options. The resulting palette has a gracious, ‘lived-in’ character with instant resonance that invites us to surround ourselves with color as we enhance our homes.
Wallauer Paint and Decorating Centers have been serving Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties since 1921. The fourth-generation family-owned business, headquartered in White Plains, New York, offers the finest selection of paints from Benjamin Moore, specialty products and accessories from Ace Hardware, window treatments from Hunter Douglas, designer fabrics and wall coverings, area rugs, and home design services, and has 15 stores across the region.
The company philosophy has always been: “Good old-fashioned family values, a team approach, and integrity.” It is these principles that have enabled the organization to reach a milestone of 100 years in business, achieved by only the very best of American companies.
The secret to Wallauer success isn’t a secret at all according to company COO Edward Klein. “It really comes down to having a knowledgeable group of people who know their craft and provide excellent customer service. Then it is word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers that Wallauer is the go-to place for home improvement locally.”
To thank long time customers as well as new, a $100 gift certificate will be awarded to one shopper in every store every month through December. To register for the drawings, visit www.wallauer.com/100 . In addition, Wallauer will offer a “buy one paint sample, get a second one at ‘100%’ off” throughout the year. Click here for more details.
Wallauer offers a wide variety of interior and exterior paints and stains, including low-odor paints, washable finishes and more from Benjamin Moore and is the largest Benjamin Moore paint, hardware and decorating retailer in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. Wallauer also offers their own brand of paints and has more than 5,000 color selections available ensuring there is a perfect color for every project. Customers can take advantage of their color matching services and even create their own custom color palate - a Wallauer specialty.
Across 15 Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland County locations, Wallauer offers home design services in six and offers Ace Hardware Departments in five. Every Wallauer Design department features the latest window displays from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, specializing in motorization and full house automation of blinds and shades. Carrying hundreds of designer fabrics from Robert Allen, Kravet, Fabricut and Kasmir and top wallpaper designers that include Schumacher, Thibaut, Nina Campbell, Candice Olson and more. Custom-made Roman shades, fabric panels and cornices products and accessories can be created to match any style and budget. Highly trained staff can provide recommendations and offer in-store consultations and in-home services to people living in and around the tri-county area.
Wallauer also supports home and commercial contractors with a variety of services including estimates, job specs, and submittals. They have dedicated sales rep who will visit the job site with the contractor to assist with job estimates, writing commercial specs and preparing color drawdowns. They also assist with enrollment in the Benjamin Moore Contractor Rewards program and are the only dealer to offer auto submission of receipts for contractors.
Wallauer stores are located in White Plains, Bedford Hills, Carmel, Mohegan Lake, Ossining, Pelham, Port Chester, Scarsdale, Yonkers, Yorktown Heights, New Rochelle, Ardsley, and Lewisboro/Cross River. There is also a location in Nanuet in Rockland County which offers Ace Hardware products and there is one location in Putnam County in Mahopac.
Customers can shop online and pick-up in store at www.shop.wallauer.com. For more information click here or call (914)-948-4000.
Scarsdale Forum Says New Limitations on the Use of Gas Leaf Blowers Do Not Go Far Enough
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The Village of Scarsdale recently passed amendments to Village code banning the use of gas leaf blowers from May 1 to September 30 and limiting their use to weekdays during October, November and December, 2021.
For 2022 and beyond, gas leaf blowers are banned from January to September, and can only be used from Tuesday-Friday in October, November and December.
In their place, electric leaf blowers can be used year round.
These changes were hotly debated with some residents and many landscapers arguing that it would be very difficult and expensive to clear leaves without the gas powered blowers.
However, a report by the Sustainability, Municipal Services and Climate Resilience Committees of the Scarsdale Forum says these restrictions do not go far enough to “protect the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life of Scarsdale residents and protecting the environment.”
The report, titled, “Gas Leaf Blower, Leaf Vacuuming and Leaf Mulching in the Village of Scarsdale,” says that Village code does not do enough to prevent air and noise pollution. Since the law allows the use of the gas leaf blowers during leaf season, from October 1 to December 30, the believe that it will continue to allow a program that is “inherently polluting and expensive.”
The Forum Committees recommend that the Village ultimately ban the use of gas leaf blowers entirely, enforce a noise code to ban the use of blowers at 65 decibels or more and to do more to require leaves to be bagged and left at the curb or mulch mowed, rather than blown to the curb for vacuuming and pick-up by the Village.
Specifically, they recommend that the Village revise code to:
-Prohibit the use of all gas powered leaf blowers and gas 2-stroke vacuums in the Village of Scarsdale, effective on a date certain not to exceed two years from January 1, 2021, including use on all Village and residential properties;
-Enforce the new Village code banning leaf blowers immediately.
-Amend the Village Code to prohibit the use of push-behind gas leaf blowers and the use of more than one gas leaf blower on properties smaller than one-half acre, effective immediately, and until such time as the total prohibition of gas leaf blowers and gas 2-stroke vacuums is effective.
-Amend the Village Code to (a) eliminate fall leaf vacuuming practices conducted by the Village, (b) require that leaves and grass clippings left for Village pickup be bagged or otherwise containerized all year long, and (c) promote leaf mulch mowing and grasscycling in place.
-Amend the Village Code to limit noise specifically related to landscape maintenance equipment, and update the definition of a noise disturbance to include leaf blowers that measure 65 decibels or more (at 50 feet), effective immediately;
-Promulgate and enforce these regulations immediately, institute a public education campaign, continue Village street sweeping operations, and enlist the cooperation of the public, all consistent with these recommendations.
The Forum report states that studies show that gas leaf blowers cause air pollution and “there are no safe limits to the emissions produced by fuel combustion.” Furthermore, neighboring communities have transitioned to leaf bagging and mulch mowing and restricted noise from gas leaf blowers.
The report urges the Village to act swiftly, saying “this is a moment of peril, but also a moment of opportunity given recent actions by the Village Board that may be built upon to achieve a result that more fully protects our residents and the sustainability of our community.”
The report was approved by the Forum’s board of directors and will be presented to Forum membership for approval at the May 20 Annual Meeting. Read the entire report here:
The following letter about the leaf blower ban was sent to us by Susan Levine:
Dear Editor:
The Gas Powered Leaf Blower Ban Begins May 1.
It is important that Scarsdale residents know about the updated Gas Powered Leaf Blower Ban that takes affect this year on May 1 and extends through September 30.
The purpose of the Ban...which will be enforced, is to reduce noise and air pollution during the months when people enjoy being outdoors.
Residents are asked to insure that their landscapers comply with the ban which is an essential element of its success. Those that do not comply will be subject to fines, possibly the homeowners as well as the gardeners.
Electric Blowers may be used at any time.
Leaving mowed grass clippings on the lawn where they can act as fertilizer is a separate benefit and is also encouraged...as is mulching your leaves.
I tried both and I love the results.
Susan Levine
Ardmore Road
Assemblywoman Paulin Comments on Tax Increase for Wealthiest New Yorkers: Will They Leave?
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Many in Scarsdale were dismayed to learn that the New York $212 billion budget deal includes a tax increase for the state’s wealthiest individuals and couples. Under the bill, which was approved last week, the tax rate for individuals earning $1 million and more and couples earning $2 million and more, will increase from 8.82% to 9.65%. For those earning between $5 million and $25 million, the rate goes to 10.3% and to 10.9% for those who make more than $25 million.
We spoke to NY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who lives in Scarsdale and represents us in Albany.
She explained that she was not in favor of the tax increases, especially in the year of a pandemic, but explained, “Any budget is a compromise and this year is no different. There are always things in the budget that I love less and don’t like at all.”
Paulin added, “Considering the original proposal, which was to raise rates starting at incomes of $300,000 I felt like we had a win. Some were advocating for a wealth tax, an estate tax starting at $250,000 and a stock transfer tax. We were able to hold the line.”
In order to offset these increases, Paulin introduced legislation called the SALT Cap Tax Relief for Partnerships which is part of this budget. The law provides state and local taxes (SALT) cap tax relief for partnerships like attorneys and accountants, giving a much needed boost for at least some New Yorkers who’ve been disproportionately affected by the SALT cap.
The budget includes some more positives for Scarsdale. About school aid, she said, “We were able to beat back the Governor’s change to an expense driven formula that would have negatively impacted Scarsdale. In addition, BOCES aid will continue to be $500,0000, and funding for special education and library and textbook aid were preserved. The district will receive $464,000 in pandemic aid from The American Rescue Plan which the Governor tried to eliminate.
For Scarsdale Village there will be funds available for clean water infrastructure projects and CHIPS funds for roads, in addition to the $1.9 million the Village will receive from the federal government.
Are legislators afraid that top earners will leave New York State? Paulin said, “My neighbors are leaving. I am aware of the flight. When you combine the loss of the SALT tax deduction with the increase in the tax rate you have a cumulative effect. With one tax you don’t leave, but with two or three you do!”
Paulin noted that New York State has already suffered population losses that will lead to the loss of two Congressional seats from the state.
We asked where the Governor stood on the tax increase and Paulin said, “The Governor was completely absent in this negotiation. He did not fight the tax increase.” She continued, “I believe in due process but I think we need an engaged Governor. How can you do your job when you’re facing a lengthy investigation and perhaps criminal charges?
