News and Events for Larchmont Residents |
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From the Mayor
Dear Larchmonters,
Today I get my 2nd Pfizer vaccination – I feel like a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve! As of this past Tuesday, everyone aged 16 and over is now eligible to be vaccinated. To get an appointment you can check with local pharmacies or sign up on the NYS vaccine website. If the vaccination site you prefer doesn’t have appointments available when you first click through, just stay on the page and hit the refresh button over and over until an appointment comes up. The main page often says “No Availability”, but small batches of spots open throughout the day and you can usually get one in this way.
Even though I will soon be fully vaccinated, I know that following the protocol of mask wearing and social distancing is still essential until we reach herd immunity. So let’s all keep up the good work! We’re almost there!
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I want to update everyone about the transition to paid parking in Larchmont. I wrote about this most recently in the February Newsletter and we have made significant progress since then. Beginning next week, we will be installing Luke II pay stations on sidewalks and in parking lots. Additionally, you will start to see new parking signs that reference meter parking. This process will take up to three weeks to complete. Regardless of the presence of pay stations and signs, no meter fees will need to be paid until the Village issues a press release with a “Go Live” date. In addition to the nuts-and-bolts of implementing paid parking, this past Monday night the Board of Trustees passed a 24-page resolution with changes to the Village’s parking code which lay out all the rules and locations for time-limited meter parking. We also passed a policy for the use of new meter fee revenue, which will allocate at least 90% of the net revenue generated from the meters for use on transportation and mobility related capital projects – such as the redesign and renovation of parking lots, resurfacing of roads and replacement of sidewalks. The Village Board is dedicated to having this new revenue source be spent primarily on long-lasting, tangible improvements that will benefit the entire community.
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Also on Monday night, we held the first public hearing on the tentative budget for the 2021/22 fiscal year which begins June 1. The Village budget must be adopted no later than May 1. You can view the presentation of the budget summary. The budget document is available on the village website. At this time, the tentative budget proposes a tax levy increase of 2.3%, which is under this year’s cap of 3.47%. The public hearing will be continued on April 19, after which it is expected a budget will be adopted. I would like to highlight that this will be the 3rd year in a row that no fund balance is being used in the budget, which is a fiscally prudent measure that ensures we have a healthy emergency fund and also helps maintain our AAA bond rating. As I have mentioned before, we were able to amend the current year’s budget, with respect to COVID, just prior to adoption. The Village Treasurer, Kimberly Gutwein, has projected that we will close out this year with less than a $50,000 deficit to cover. This is thanks to the fiscal responsibility shown by the Village Board and Staff, especially Village Administrator Justin Datino, who kept expenses down while revenues fell. And thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, we expect to receive funds which can make up for lost revenue and also be used for certain infrastructure investments. I’ll share more details as they become available.
In our downtown, we welcomed new business A & O Men’s Grooming at 128 Chatsworth. On April 17th we’ll celebrate the 16th anniversary of Groove Family Music and the 35-day countdown to Larchmont mainstay Mancino Custom Tailors and Clothiers 35th anniversary has begun! Since our expanded outdoor dining has proved to be such a huge success, we have decided to continue the enhanced “sidewalk” cafes and the barricades will remain up to allow our restaurants to have additional space throughout the summer. Please be sure to get out and enjoy Larchmont Al Fresco!
Finally, with the improvements in COVID rates and the changes to capacity limits, we are planning some fun and safe outdoor community events. The Great Spring Egg Hunt was the first on April 3rd – thanks to the Volunteer Fire Department and Events Team! May should bring a musical event! Stay tuned J!
Enjoy this beautiful weather! As always, Shop Local!
Mayor Lorraine Walsh
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Village Notes
Village Social Media: Please be sure to follow the Village on Facebook and Instagram. Use the links at the bottom of this Newsletter to follow us.
Gas Powered Leaf Blower Ban: Please note that beginning in 2022 the use of gas powered leaf blowers will be banned in the Village and the use of electric leaf blowers will be limited to the month of April and from October 15 to December 15. During 2021, before the full law goes into effect, both gas and electric leaf blowers may be used ONLY during the month of April, and from October 15 to December 15. All leaf blowers are banned during the rest of the year. For more information, please see the Larchmont Environmental Committee section below.
Dog Waste: As a reminder, Village law requires that individuals pick up after their dogs. Dog waste should be thrown either in your own trash or in Village trash bins. Please do not leave the waste on the sidewalk or throw it in other residents' bins.
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Committee and Department Updates |
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Larchmont Environmental Committee
The Larchmont/Mamaroneck Earth Day Challenge & Community Energy Campaign, in partnership with the Larchmont Environmental Committee, the Coalition for the Environment, and the Sustainability Collaborative, is a tri-municipal initiative to promote two energy programs through Sustainable Westchester: Community Solar and GridRewards.
Community Solar and GridRewards allow residents to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Both programs are available to all residents -- both renters and homeowners -- as well as eligible organizations and businesses. There is no cost to join or cancel anytime and you retain the flexibility to use your current electricity supplier (e.g. ConEd or Westchester Power), all while saving!
To learn more and sign up:
GridRewards: Con Edison pays you to reduce electricity at peak demand times so they can avoid running old, inefficient power plants. You get paid to help the environment!
Community Solar: No need to install solar panels! Sign up to support a local solar farm and save up to 10% on your electricity bill.
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Save the Date!
Earth Day Celebration with the Larchmont Environmental Committee. Fun for the whole family!
April 17th 11-2 pm, Constitution Park (rain date April 18th)
Come learn about the many sustainability initiatives in the Larchmont/Mamaroneck community! Volunteers will provide information about Healthy Yards, Save the Sound and Larchmont’s new Green Zone to name a few. Food waste recycling kits will be available for sale. And take LMCMedia’s Earth Day Challenge: Challenge yourself to make one change this year to lower your impact on the environment! #OneChange
12 pm: In-person (with masks and socially distanced!) talk on native trees with environmental educator Jenny Geer, followed by a guided nature walk.
3 pm: Native plants expert Luke Brussel presents, Restoring a Vibrant Ecosystem Here at Home, a zoom presentation in partnership with the Larchmont Library.
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Larchmont Volunteer Fire Department
The Larchmont Volunteer Fire Department is in need of fire fighters! The Larchmont Fire Department Volunteer Application is now on line! If you are interested in becoming a future volunteer fire fighter fill in the application. Don't delay do it today. For more information, call Bubba Fanelli: 914-403-2387.
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Local Business Highlights
Every Wednesday we highlight a different local business on the Village's social media accounts. In case you missed it, here is who we celebrated in March!
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Palmer Jewelers, located at 1925 Palmer Ave., has been a Larchmont jewelry store staple since 1980! Specializing in fine jewelry, sterling silver, and costume jewelry. Ear piercing and repairs done on premises. Featuring gifts for every budget! |
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Circle 7 Framing, located at 1923 Palmer Avenue, is owned by Larchmont residents Paul & Elizabeth Mahoney. We specialize in custom picture framing, and carry a large inventory of antique maps, prints and vintage postcards. Locally-themed gifts are also available in our store. Stop by any time to discuss your framing projects, small or large, or just come on in and browse! |
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Advance Lighting, located at 2005 Palmer Ave. We are here to keep the lights on! We carry Hubbardton, Forge, Holtkotter Lighting, WAC, and many more. |
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Willet Vacuum of Larchmont, located at 166 Myrtle Blvd, has been serving the Sound Shore Community since 1983. We are an authorized Sebo, Miele, and Riccar Dealer. We sell and repair Vacuums. |
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We also celebrated a virtual ribbon cutting for the grand opening of A & O Men's Grooming, located at 128 Chatsworth Avenue! |
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Down to Earth Farmers Market
The Down to Earth Larchmont Farmers Market will reopen for the season on Saturday, April 24th on the Metro-North parking deck off Chatsworth (enter via Myrtle to park) from 8:30am to 1pm on Saturdays through December 18th.
Masks and social distancing are required.
Pre-ordering is available through the WhatsGood app or website. It’s a great way to speed up your trip through the farmers market and make sure you don’t miss out on favorite items. Look for the Down to Earth Larchmont Farmers Market after you log in.
SNAP EBT is welcome (go to the manager’s tent to make a withdrawal and get tokens) and matching Fresh Connect Checks are available. FMNP WIC and Seniors checks can be used at the farm stands from June through November.
You can find more information, including a list of vendors, on our website. We are on also on Facebook @larchmontfarmersmarket and we send a weekly email update with news from our vendors and information about what’s in season, which anyone can subscribe to HERE.
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Larchmont Library
The Library onsite services are open on a limited basis. Please check the Library website for details.
If you need help with managing your account or anything else, Reference staff is ready to assist you. Email any time at [email protected]. If you want a real live person, call 914-734-5362 any weekday between 10am and 4pm.
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Village Calendar
4/2 Village Hall Closed - Good Friday
4/5 Board of Trustees - Budget Hearing
4/7 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
4/8 Larchmont Environmental Committee Meeting
4/19 Board of Trustees Meeting
4/20 Planning Board Meeting
4/28 Architecture Review Board Meeting
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