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Written by Harvey Flisser

Published: 16 June 2015

Created: 16 June 2015

Last Updated: 17 June 2015

Hits: 17175

Saturday, Scarsdale American Legion Post 52 celebrated the 95th Anniversary of its founding at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester on Saturday June 13, 2015. Joining members of the Post, their families and their friends at the banquet were two former Scarsdale mayors: Miriam Levitt Flisser, Beverly Sved, current Mayor Jon Mark and Scarsdale Village Manager Stephen Pappalardo. Mayor Jon Mark delivered a proclamation to Post Commander Tom Adamo declaring June 13, 2015 as "Scarsdale American Legion Post 52 Day." Additional proclamations were delivered on behalf of County Executive Rob Astorino and the Town of Eastchester.

Celebrants reflected on the significant contributions made by the Post to the Scarsdale community over the course of the last 95 years, the importance of Post 52's Memorial Garden, its current projects and on the service of its members in the defense and security of the United States in two World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam.

Photos courtesy of HL Flisser.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 23 June 2015

Created: 23 June 2015

Last Updated: 24 June 2015

Hits: 5592

What time at night do neighbors need to turn off loud music and are retailers permitted to post sandwich board signs on sidewalks outside their stores? What to do about noisy neighbors? We received three inquiries from readers last week – two about Scarsdale's noise ordinance and another concerning free-standing advertising signs posted on Village sidewalks. In order to get answers, we exchanged emails with our new Village Manager Steve Pappalardo and here is what we learned:

From a reader:

Question: Fenway has huge outdoor parties where they let the DJs and bands blast the music so that it reverberates through our whole neighborhood. Latest was Friday night. No one here could sleep. Police said they could carry on until 11pm -- but Fenway seemingly refused to stop until a second police visit after 11:30pm. What is the law, and what's fair?"

Answer from Village Manage Steve Pappalardo: The Police Chief reports that the two calls you refer to are the only ones received to date from Fenway. Last year there were no noise complaints from the club. When PD receives a noise call complaint of this fashion, an officer responds to the source and requests that the music or live band playing volume be reduced. The officer will also drive to the address of the complainant to discuss and listen for themselves from this location to better gauge the volume and level of disturbance. In addition, the patrolman will often return at 11PM to the source to assure that the music stopped or is winding down. This protocol was followed at Fenway on 6/19.

Question: Our neighbors have erected a trampoline in their backyard that is pushed up squarely against the property line. Their children are out there all the time not just playing, but screaming, and our newborn baby cannot nap in either her room our ours, as both face that side of the house. By evening, she and I are both crying with exhaustion! As asking them to please consider the noise level has not worked, is there any village code with regard to setbacks or noise ordinances for screaming during the day?
Thanks so much,
Very tired new parents

Answer: There are no regulations regarding the placement of trampolines on private property but what is described in your email could be considered a violation of Village Code Chapter 205 – Noise. The resident would have to call the Police Department when the problem occurs and they will respond. Of course, in these cases talking to your neighbor is always the best recourse before calling an enforcement agency.

Question: I would love comments and feedback from residents and the village on all the A Frame plastic signs popping up (can't imagine they have permits but maybe they do) at the Five Corners. First, we have a building that does not fit in and now $59 massages signs. The Pet Store now has an open sign, the real estate agency at the old train station has a sign in front etc. ... all huge plastic A frame signs right on the street. No other town around here would allow this."

Answer from Steve Pappalardo: In accordance with the Village Code, advertising signs in commercial districts must be attached to the building . As such these sandwich board signs placed on the sidewalk do not conform and are not permitted. I have asked the Village Engineer to visit the sites tomorrow to speak to the owners and have the signs removed.

Do you have a question? Email us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com and we'll do our best to get an answer!

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Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 09 June 2015

Created: 09 June 2015

Last Updated: 15 September 2015

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A 79 year-old Scarsdale man drove his 2009 Honda Civic through the side of the Eastchester Fish Gourmet Restaurant around 1 pm on Monday June 8th. His car crashed through the glass and ultimately stopped inside the restaurant where it caused extensive damage to both the exterior and interior of the popular seafood eatery at the corner of the White Plains Road and Summerfield Street near the border of Scarsdale and Eastchester.

The driver, Archibald J. Fleming of Downer Avenue in Scarsdale was driving south on the Post Road and sought to make a right turn onto Summerfield Street. According to Fleming, he "accidentally stepped on the accelerator" and crashed into the building. There was shattered glass, and broken tables and chairs, but as the restaurant was closed at the time, fortunately no one, including the driver was hurt. The cost of the damage to the restaurant is unknown.

There was no damage to the bar or the kitchen and the manager of the restaurant says they hope to re-open quickly.

FedEx driver arrested after dispute over parking ticket
On June 5, police arrested Yael Diaz Grullon, 30, of the Bronx, after he allegedly attempted to run over the parking enforcement officer on Christie Place. Grullon was driving a FedEx truck at the time. Patrol performed a traffic stop on Chase Road, and Grullon stated he had just argued with the parking enforcement officer over a parking ticket. The parking enforcement officer said he was issuing a ticket because the truck was double parked in a loading zone at the corner of Christie Place and East Parkway around 1 p.m. The officer said he motioned for Grullon to move the truck into the loading zone in the parking lot of Decicco's Marketplace. He said Grullon then got out of the truck and began to "verbally abuse him." As the officer began writing a summons, Grullon allegedly got back in his truck, accelerated toward the officer and stopped short of striking him. The officer then printed the summons and instructed Grullon to stop the truck. He also called for police assistance. While waiting for police to arrive, the parking enforcement officer said he stood in front of the truck in an effort to prevent Grullon from driving away. Grullon allegedly backed up his truck and drove through the loading area, causing the officer to step out of the way in order to avoid being run over. A witness confirmed the officer's account of events. While checking the status of Grullon's license and the FedEx truck's registration, police learned the truck's registration had been suspended in 2013, due to insurance not being in effect. Police called a tow truck to impound the truck, and in the meantime, the packages intended for delivery were transferred to a different truck. Grullon was charged with reckless driving, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, failure to comply with a police officer's instructions and an uninsured motor vehicle. He was arraigned at Scarsdale Village Court and released on $500 cash bail, paid by his wife. He was ordered to appear again in court on June 10.

Teen arrested for leaving accident scene and driving with suspended permit
An 18-year-old Hutchinson Road boy was arrested after he left the scene of an accident on Palmer Avenue June 6. Around 4 p.m., the boy's car – a 2000 Subaru – was stopped in traffic. The boy backed up to attempt to go around a stopped car in front of him. While he was backing up, the boy's Subaru struck a 2013 Mercedes-Benz that was stopped in traffic behind him. According to the Mercedes driver, the boy got out of his car said, "My fault," and then quickly drove off when the Mercedes driver asked to exchange contact information. The Mercedes driver reported the accident to police, and patrol went to the boy's house. There, they talked with the boy's father and the boy. The boy said he left the scene because he could see "there was no damage to the Mercedes and it was no big deal." Upon review of the boy's driving credentials, police discovered the boy was driving with suspended permit. It was suspended four times on two different dates. Patrol also admonished the boy for driving alone with only a driver's permit. Police arrested the boy on charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The boy was released on $100 cash bail, with an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court on June 10.

Car break-ins
On June 5, a Sage Terrace resident reported his car broken into the previous night. He said items were stolen but he could not immediately provide police with a list.
On June 6, a Brite Avenue resident reported his car was broken into the previous night, and a notepad and approximately five to ten dollars in coins were stolen. The owner said he must have mistakenly left the car unlocked overnight. Two other locked cars parked in the driveway were not entered or disturbed.

Domestic disputes
On June 1, a wife called police said her husband was threatening their child and then abruptly hung up. Shortly thereafter, the husband called police, said he wanted his wife removed from the house and then abruptly hung up. Patrol went to the couple's house. The couple was having a verbal disagreement over residency. At the time, both husband and wife were legally allowed to live in the house. They said they would attempt to settle the issue through their attorneys. Later the husband went to headquarters to show police a Stipulation of Settlement. Police could not verify any of the conditions set forth in the Stipulation. They advised the husband he needed to show a court order before police could verify or enforce his wife's removal from the house. The next day, on June 2, the wife went to headquarters to report that several pieces of jewelry and a painting had been removed from the house. She asked police to document this for use in ongoing divorce proceedings.
On June 7, police mediated a dispute over prescription medication between a son and his parents. The son said his parents would not give him his medication. The parents said the medication had been used up, and the doctor needed to write another prescription.

Identity theft
On June 2, a woman reported someone cashed four fraudulent checks against her Chase Bank checking account. The person who cashed the checks told a bank representative he received the checks as a graduation present from a friend. The fraud department at Chase Bank is following up.
On June 3, a Forest Lane woman reported someone fraudulently used her credit card to purchase merchandise worth $356.69.
On June 3, a Ross Road man reported someone opened a fraudulent Chase credit card in his name and used it for three cash advances.
On June 7, a Boulder Brook Road resident reported someone fraudulently used her American Express credit card in April. The person charged approximately $292.44 at six restaurants, Con Edison and Time Warner Cable. The resident also reported someone filed a fraudulent tax return in her husband's name, and she wondered if the two incidents were related.

Scam
On June 1, a Crossway resident received a call from an unknown person, alleging someone at the house, named "Linda," had won a grant for $9,000 and could receive the grant via bank transfer or via a Visa credit card account. The resident did not provide any personal information to the caller because the call seemed like a scam. Patrol attempted to call the number from which the call originated, but no one answered.
On June 3, the manager of a store on East Parkway received a call from someone alleging to be from the electric company. The person said the store's power would be turned off if an alleged utility bill wasn't paid immediately. The manager thought the call was a scam and hung up. Police called the number back and a person answered with "Carlos Utility Team" and hung up. Police advised the store manager to have the caller's number blocked.

Mischief
A suspicious note was found in a bathroom at Scarsdale High School June 4. Police investigated the note and determined the incident to be unfounded.

Too early
At 7 a.m., June 5, the caretaker of the Wayside Cottage reported a woman sitting on the porch with a blanket over her head. Police arrived and asked the woman if she needed any help. The woman said she had an appointment with members of the Junior League of Central Westchester at 10 a.m., and she was early. Police advised her that was not permitted to sit outside the building because it was also a residence. The woman apologized and said she would come back at 10 a.m.

Doorbell
According to two men – a man who was sitting in his car on Cushman Road and a Cushman Road homeowner – three white men got out of pickup truck and walked onto the homeowner's property at 12:30 a.m., June 6. The men rang the doorbell and did not answer when the homeowner asked who was there. The man sitting in his car then saw the men get back in the bed area of the pickup truck, and the truck left. He followed the car to write down the license plate number and called police. Police checked the house and did not see any signs of criminal activity. However, they advised the homeowner the men may have rung the doorbell to check if anyone was home before attempting to commit a burglary. Police are following up.

Disoriented
At 6:45 p.m., June 6, police responded to a call about a man walking in and out of traffic on Overhill Road. The man was incoherent when police tried to talk with him. Police called Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the man voluntarily went to White Plains Hospital Center, where he was turned over to security and medical staff for safety and treatment.

Flood
Police notified the highway department about a broken water fountain at Supply Field June 7. The water fountain would not turn off and was creating a flooding situation.

Pedestrian struck
On June 5, a woman reported she was struck by a truck on East Parkway. The woman said the truck backed into her while she was waiting to cross the street. The woman said she informed the driver that he had hit her. She said she was not injured, and both she and the driver left. Later, she decided to report the incident. Police called Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps because she was complaining of neck pain, but the woman refused medical attention. The woman said she had to catch a plane and did not have much time.

Road rage
A woman called police after she got into a verbal altercation with a male driver in his 20s on Garth Road June 5. The woman said the man was refusing to leave her alone at the location. The man said he honked at the woman because she was standing still at a green traffic light. Police mediated the situation, and both parties left.

Parking ticket scofflaw
While conducting parking enforcement in village center, police found a car with scofflaw violations parked on Boniface Circle. Before the tow truck arrived to impound the car, the driver – Francesca McKenney – returned. Police advised her she owed $370 in parking fines which must be addressed at Scarsdale Village Justice Court.

Cars and roadways
An unoccupied black Hyundai was left running while parked on Chase Road for over an hour June 1. While patrol was on scene, the owner returned. She said she had parked her car for a doctor's appointment and must have forgotten to turn off the engine. She apologized for any inconvenience caused by the oversight.
On June 2, police advised drivers to park their cars facing the proper direction on Sprague and White roads.
On June 2, a Fenimore Road woman complained that construction workers on Dobbs Terrace were driving over portions of her driveway. Patrol did not notice any damage to the woman's property, but they advised the workers of the woman's complaint and asked them to be more careful.
Police removed a fallen branch from Claremont Road June 2.
Police notified the highway department about an apparent sinkhole forming on Montrose Road June 3.
Police called for roadside assistance to help a driver with a flat tire on East Parkway June 4.
Police helped a driver change a flat tire on Post Road at 3 a.m., June 6.
Police issued a summons to an illegally parked car on Rock Creek Lane June 6.
Police informed the highway department about a fallen branch at Palmer Avenue and Innes Road June 6.
Four car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Dogs
On June 3, a dog was running loose in the Wilgrin parking lot, on Palmer Avenue, and Heathcote Road and Weaver Street. Patrol caught the dog on Weaver Street, and dispatch called the owner. The owner picked up the dog, and police issued the owner a summons.
Police called New Rochelle Humane Society to pick up a loose dog from Morris Lane June 3. The dog was not wearing any tags to identify its owner.
On June 4, a Post Road resident said her dog and another dog were fighting at the end of her driveway. Both dogs were out with their owners for a walk when the fight occurred. A passerby saw the dog fight and stopped to help separate the dogs. The woman who reported the incident said she did not know the owner of the other dog.

Village code
On June 1, patrol notified the building department about residents' complaints that a Crest Lane homeowner has not been properly maintaining his property.
At 1:15 a.m., June 3, police admonished kids for making noise in the parking area opposite the police substation on East Parkway. When police caught up with the kids, they were making noise in Freightway garage. They were given a warning and advised to leave the garage immediately.
After neighbors complained of noise from Saxon Woods Golf Club on June 4, police advised the manager to lower the volume of the music.
On June 5, police issued summonses to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers on Hickory Lane.
On June 6, patrol advised a Crest Lane resident to remove her empty garbage can from the curb since it was not a trash pickup day. Neighbors were complaining about the can's presence near the street.
Neighbors complained about noise coming from a Heathcote Road backyard at 10 p.m., June 6. The homeowner said she was having a birthday party for her child and apologized for the noise. She said she would turn down the volume of the music, and she advised that guests were leaving soon.
On June 7, police discussed appropriate hours for power tool use with contractors at a Hampton Road construction site. They issued the contractors a verbal warning.

Lost and found
A set of Acura car keys was found at Scarsdale train station June 1.
On June 1, an Elmdorf Road resident reported her car's license plates were destroyed in a traffic accident in Vermont. She needed a police report to request new plates.
On June 2, a man reported losing his wallet on East Parkway. It contained an employment authorization card, two credit cards, four health insurance cards, a YMCA membership card and his driver's license.
On June 3, an Eton Road resident reported the loss of two license plates. The plates were on a car that was surrendered to a Lexus dealership in California and later sold at auction.
A man left his cell phone at the Scarsdale pool June 6. Police checked the pool complex and could hear the phone ringing in the locked office. The man said he would return to the pool complex the next day to retrieve his phone.
On June 7, a passerby said she saw a wallet and planner fall out of the driver's side window of a gray Mercedes-Benz. Police called the owner, a Tory Lane woman, and returned the property to her.

Fire

School Bus on Fire:

Heavy smoke started coming from a school bus while the bus was transporting children home from Quaker Ridge School at 3:30 p.m., June 5. The driver pulled the bus over on Haverford Avenue and evacuated all the children. The driver kept the children together and far away from the bus. Firefighters determined the smoke was coming from the engine which was burning antifreeze. Firefighters disconnected the bus's battery and spread absorbent on spilled antifreeze. All children were picked up by their parents before a second bus arrived to take them home.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a natural gas leak near a meter at a Sycamore Road house June 1.
A gas odor was coming from a Con Edison excavation site on Fairview Road after 6 p.m., June 1. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.
A two-year-old child accidentally got locked in a bathroom in a Brewster Road house. The child was removed from the bathroom before firefighters arrived June 2.
An electrical outlet overheated and burned in the basement food preparation area of Metro Deli on Palmer Avenue June 2. Although the fire alarm was sounding, no one evacuated the building until firefighters arrived. Firefighters shut power to the outlet and confirmed there was no fire or extension. They ventilated the building with fans. The business owner contacted an electrician for service. The fire inspector is following up with regard to the wiring in the basement and the management's failure to evacuate the building during the fire alarm.
A hole in a rusted exhaust pipe for a gas-powered heating unit was releasing carbon monoxide in a Mamaroneck Road house June 2. Firefighters evacuated the house, and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps treated and released one patient on the scene. Firefighters shut down the heating unit and ventilated the house with fans. They stood by for Con Edison.
Firefighters shut the water supply to a leaking sprinkler system in an assisted living facility on Saxon Woods Road June 3. An employee of the facility called for service.
A woman got locked inside a bathroom after the door mechanism malfunctioned in a Mamaroneck Road house June 3. Firefighters used a shove tool to open the door. The woman was released unharmed.
A newly installed oven was smoking in a Greenacres Avenue house June 4. Firefighters advised the homeowner to leave the oven off and call for service.
After Con Edison found gas in a Greendale Road sanitary sewers, firefighters checked houses on Fairview and Greendale roads for possible gas mitigation June 6. All houses were deemed safe.
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas leak at a Carstensen Road boiler June 6.
Firefighters shut gas to a malfunctioning stove in a Potter Road house and advised the homeowner to service it June 6.
This week, firefighters assisted at cars accidents in the village. They responded to two false carbon monoxide alarms and 15 false alarms caused by device malfunction, a plumber soldering pipes, cooking smoke, smoke from a chimney draft, shower steam, a puff of smoke from an oil burner and dust.

This report of police and fire department activity from June 1-7 is based on official information

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