News and Events for Larchmont Residents |
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From the Mayor
Happy New Year! (Why do I feel that should have a qualifier – Happy New Year, hope things get better?) It has been a rocky start to 2022 with the Omicron variant causing very high infection rates and putting a monkey wrench in everyone’s holiday and end-of-year plans. In Village government, the surge has caused changes to schedules and some disruption of services as we deal with staffing shortages and Board of Trustee meetings have gone virtual for the month of January and possibly February. And although it seems most local cases have been relatively mild, most likely due to the high rate of vaccination, unfortunately that was not the case for everyone. We were extremely saddened by the passing of one of our joint sanitation employees, John Mastromarino, from Covid on January 9. Our condolences to his family and co-workers.
It’s good news that the number of new cases in NYS is trending down, however we should all continue to follow the public indoor mask mandate, as well as CDC guidelines to slow transmission. Slowing the spread prevents over-stressing our health care system and also helps protect those who cannot be vaccinated or who are immunocompromised. If you aren’t vaccinated yet, please consider doing so to protect your health and the health of your community. Testing is extremely important if you have been exposed or feel unwell. It is considered an important measure in controlling spread. The State has set up Covid testing sites at SUNY Purchase (Schedule Appointment) and at the County Center in White Plains (Schedule Appointment) . Also, the federal government is now mailing out free at-home Covid test kits which can be requested HERE.
Back in 2020 I wrote about the stress caused by the pandemic and asked that we all try to be more understanding in our interactions with others. Now, almost 2 years later, it is clear that this experience has likely affected everyone’s mental well-being in some way. If you or someone you know needs help, NY Project Hope can provide assistance HERE.
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Village Government
Redistricting
The 2020 Census is done and now the redrawing of congressional district maps has begun.
Unfortunately, the proposed map created by the Independent Redistricting Committee (IRC) for the congressional redistricting of the Town of Mamaroneck and Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck is terrible. Both the Town and Village of Mamaroneck are split between 2 districts, NY14 and NY16. Additionally, Larchmont and part of the Village of Mamaroneck are placed in congressional district 14, which is primarily a NYC-centric district. The NYS legislature has rejected the plans and now the IRC has until January 25 to produce a new round of maps. I hope they do better. Please see the joint letter I submitted to the IRC on behalf of all 3 municipalities HERE. If you wish to submit a comment, you should do so ASAP HERE . The map of proposed districts can be viewed HERE – look at Congressional Plan A.
Finances
Larchmont is about to start Budget Season! Since our fiscal year begins June 1, we must approve a final budget by May 1. Over the next two months (beginning February 7) the Board will be holding special budget sessions, in addition to our regular work sessions and monthly meetings. All of these are posted on the Village calendar and the budget sessions are open for the public to observe. The Village Finance and Budget Committee (FBC), made up of 5 Larchmont resident volunteers, will work with the Board, Administrator and Treasurer to provide citizen oversight and advice as we create the 2023 budget (budgets are named for the year in which they end). Updates about budget planning will be included in February’s newsletter.
The audit of the 2021 budget has been completed and, thanks to careful planning and management of expenses by the Board and Village staff, we closed out the year in a fiscally sound position. A summarized presentation of the Financial Statements was given to the Board by PKF O’Connor Davies at our January 10 work session. The complete Financial Statements for year-end May 31, 2021 can be found HERE on the Village website.
Reorganization Meeting
On December 6, we held the Village’s Reorganization meeting. This is the first meeting of the new legislative year and is always held the first Monday of the month following an election. The purpose of the meeting is to swear in newly elected officials, make appointments of public officers and volunteer committee members and other required “housekeeping” issues – my favorite being the annual designation of the Larch Tree as the official tree of Larchmont.
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The December meeting was busier than usual. I had the pleasure of swearing in our two newly elected trustees, Dana Post and Brigid Brennan. Both Brigid and Dana had been serving temporarily as appointed trustees - Larchmont is lucky to have them both now serving two-year terms. Newly re-elected Justice Thea Beaver was sworn in for her 6th term by Justice Bernstein. |
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In addition to our elected officials, I was happy to swear in Dan Calapai as Sargent of the LPD and Chris McNerney as our new Police Chief. Please see an important message from Chief McNerney in the Police section below. |
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Park Renovations
The Village’s Board and Parks & Trees Committee is working with the Flint Park Conservancy on their Flint Park renovation plan. We are in the final stages of design review and should be greenlighting this capital project soon. Thanks to all those involved in this endeavor – there will be a lot of work ahead, but it will be worth it once our amazing Flint Park asset is renewed for another generation of Larchmonters to enjoy! There are also some small, but important, projects that are being considered for Turtle, Addison and Willow Parks.
Historic Preservation
After several years of effort and study, the Historic Preservation Task Force has presented the Board with draft historic preservation legislation for Larchmont. This draft is currently being reviewed by the Board – next steps will be to present it to residents for discussion.
Downtown
The Board of Trustees is considering undertaking a study of the zoning code in the RB and RC zones – these are the two retail zones that comprise the downtown areas of Larchmont. Several years ago we reviewed our residential zoning code and realized that it needed significant updates. We feel that it is important for us to now do the same for our business district to ensure that our zoning code is up to date.
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Around the Village
New Building
The building at 1912 Palmer, which burned down in November 2016, has risen from the ashes – scaffolding is down, the sidewalk has been replaced and the parking lane has been reopened. Progress continues inside, building out the apartment units and retail space. It’s look great! Soon it will once again be a vibrant spot in the Palmer Avenue streetscape!
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Holiday events
Light up Larchmont was back and better than ever! A joint effort of the Chamber of Commerce and the Larchmont Professional Firefighters Association and Larchmont Police Benevolent Association, the Village’s downtown was alive with horse-drawn carriages, Santa and Mrs. Claus in a snow globe, carolers and more. Followed by the holiday tree lighting festivities at Constitution Park. The following day the Chabad of Larchmont-Mamaroneck held a joyful menorah lighting in Constitution Park.
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Mayor Lorraine Walsh, Administrator Justin Datino, Trustee Sarah Bauer, and Trustee Brigid Brennan help celebrate the tree lighting for Light up Larchmont |
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Warmly,
Mayor Lorraine Walsh
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Lot 3 (Upper Parking Lot at the Train Station): The Down to Earth Farmer's Market is held every Saturday in Lot 3 (and will continue this year through the winter), so if you park your car in Lot 3 on Saturday or overnight Friday into Saturday, please park at the far end by the elevator to avoid being ticketed or towed.
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Committee and Department Updates |
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Larchmont Environmental Committee
NYSERDA Grants Awarded!
The Larchmont Environmental Committee was instrumental in the Village of Larchmont receiving grants totaling $15,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help address climate change issues and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community. The funds will be used for education and outreach in support of our new leaf blower code and to convert part of our municipal gas-powered lawn equipment to electric. Another $10,000 in grant monies from NYSERDA is anticipated in March 2022.
Larchmont participated in Community Choice Aggregation, Community Solar and Demand Response campaigns with Sustainable Westchester, LED Streetlight Conversion, and Energy Code Enforcement Training. These programs saved our village and our residents money and reduced our collective carbon footprint. Thanks to everyone who took advantage of these initiatives!
Sustainable Land Care!
Larchmont Environmental Committee co-chairs Lisa McDonald and Sasha Nahr recently presented at a Boston University webinar: The Quiet Transition: Leading By Example in Clean, Quiet Land Care – Stories and News from California, New York, Alabama, and Massachusetts About How Municipalities and States are Moving Towards Fossil Fuel Free Land Care. A recording of the event is accessible HERE!
We’re Looking For New Members!
Join our community of residents who are addressing climate change, reducing pollution and waste, and
supporting local spaces and ecosystems! To learn more, email the Larchmont Environmental Committee at [email protected]
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Larchmont Police Department
A Message from Chief McNerney:
Like most affluent communities in Westchester, the Village of Larchmont has been targeted by petty criminals who steal from unlocked cars during the overnight hours. When keys or key fobs are left inside, vehicles are stolen.
Last month, the Larchmont Police Department arrested three (3) New Jersey teens for stealing from cars during the overnight hours. This arrest was the direct result of a resident seeing something and saying something. The Police Department wants this strong partnership to continue to fight this crime trend and to protect you from being victimized.
Here are two important measures all residents can take to protect themselves:
· Remember to lock your vehicle(s) and remove your key/fob every night. Thieves can easily detect when fobs are left in certain vehicles, as side-view mirrors will remain in the extended position. Locking your vehicle should be incorporated into the routine of locking your home each and every night.
· Valuables should never be left in vehicles. Thieves are now using Bluetooth scanning apps to detect if electronics are inside vehicles emitting a Bluetooth signal.
These safeguards can protect you from becoming a victim and could put an end to this crime of opportunity.
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Village Calendar
1/4 Traffic Commission Meeting
1/5 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
1/10 Board of Trustees Meeting
1/11 Larchmont Environmental Committee Meeting
1/17 Village Hall Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/24 Board of Trustees Work Session
1/26 Architecture Review Board Meeting
2/1 Traffic Commission Meeting
2/2 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
Minutes for previous Board of Trustees meetings can be found HERE.
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