What happened at this week’s Board of Trustees meeting?
Members of the Board of Trustees
BY DEBORAH SKOLNIK
Last Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting covered a large amount of community news as well as public comments, In addition, there were affectionate goodbyes to two trustees who have served the Village faithfully during their tenures.
The meeting began with Mayor Justin Arest sharing that he recently traveled to the New York City Second Circuit Court with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. The Village had filed a suit against the Internal Revenue Service about charitable funds and deductions in 2017, which was disallowed. In response, the Village filed a suit with other municipalities. The appeal was heard by the Second Circuit Court on March 20th, and Scarsdale awaits the court’s decision.
The Village manager then turned the mic to Jeffrey Coleman, Superintendent of Public Works, who reviewed the draft 2025 annual stormwater report for municipal separate stormwater sewer systems. This program is focused on water quality and the regulation of point-source and non-point-source pollution. Coleman shared that the town is in the beginning stages to conform with updated New York stormwater management requirements.
A resident of 43 Butler Road complained about illegal fencing and the effect it may have on stormwater. “They do a miserable job” on fencing, she said. “You can stand on Butler Road, which goes down to the Bronx River Parkway, and just watch the mud go down,” she added. Coleman assured her that construction sites are subject to inspections and require licenses.
A resident of 7 Walworth Avenue spoke next, saying she is a member of the Disabilities Committee. “I am very disappointed in all of you on the Board, and the mayor a deputy mayor,” stating that the sidewalk on Walworth Avenue between Fenimore Road and Greenacres Avenue poses a public safety hazard. “I insist on knowing when you are going to address the issue,” she said. Attempted repairs with asphalt patches, the resident claimed, have made the sidewalks even worse.
A resident of 43 Butler Road who is the chair of the Council on People with Disabilities. She echoed the previous speaker’s concern, calling the condition of many of Scarsdale’s sidewalks “deplorable.”
Next to speak was Heedan Chung of 46 Woods Lane, president of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. She shared the League’s thanks for members of the Village administration and Board of Trustees for participation in a panel at the League’s general membership meeting and Village budget information session. The League, she shared, supports the Village’s tentative 2025-26 budget, and gave comments from the League on its particulars. In addition, she encouraged the Board to explore additional channels of communication, given the demise of the Scarsdale Inquirer. [THE INSIDER CONSIDERS ITSELF TO BE AN EXCELLENT CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION AND HOPES THE VILLAGE WILL THROW ITS SUPPORT BEHIND IT!]
A resident of 15 Autenreith Road expressed concern over the number of trees that have been taken down and those which are slated to be removed.
Addressing concerns of the 7 Walworth Avenue resident, Mayor Arest said that most of Scarsdale’s sidewalks were originally intended to be bicycle paths. He said the issue is where to find money for sidewalk improvements, and discussed options such as securing grants or passing the burden to homeowners whose properties are situated behind the sidewalks. As to trees, Mayor Arest said the town was looking into the implementation of a local law requiring the licensing of tree surgeons.
Next, the Board paid tribute to its two departing members, Sameer Ahuja and Karen L. Brew, expressing what an honor it had been to collaborate with them. Ahuja and Brew enthusiastically returned the sentiment. Trustee Ken Mazer then ran through some upcoming community events, as did Trustee Brew. Trustee Wise summarized claims, which the Board approved. Brew shared that the town’s firefighters would be receiving a FEMA grant to finance safety courses. In addition, she discussed the proposed appointment of an attorney to pursue the town’s grievance’s over Con Edison’s request for a large rate hike, which unanimously passed. Mazer then presented a proposal to engage Backyard Sports to provide a high-quality sports program for the Village’s day camps, which again met with unanimous Board approval. Trustee Dara Gruenberg shared a proposal to hire a police sergeant and a proposed stipulation of agreement with our uniformed firefighters, both of which passed. Following a reiteration of thanks to Ahuja and Brew, the meeting wrapped.