Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
April 29, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 18 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Gov. Cuomo reaffirms plans for Soundlink connection By ANGELA JORDAN Staff Wrter Following the recent adoption of the New York state budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo again brought up his plan to build a bridge or tunnel across the Long Island Sound. During his remarks at the Association for a Better New York luncheon on April 12, Cuomo, a Democrat, doubled down on his initiative to build a connection between the mainland and Long Island. In early January, he proposed
to connect Suffolk County to Westchester, the Bronx or Connecticut via tunnel, but during the April luncheon, he was more specific suggesting building a bridge between Nassau County and Westchester or the Bronx. “Don’t tell me [building a Soundlink bridge] is not economic; cars and trucks would save hours, literally, with that one modification,” Cuomo said. “It’s only 12 miles, it can be done.” The first step in pursuing this project would be to conduct a feasibility study that would look at the practicality of the idea, and would measure the cost of
construction and future maintenance, in addition to how it would affect factors like traffic and the environment. In January, Cuomo said he would like to spend $5 million conducting a feasibility study for his proposed tunnel. According to state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, there were no funds in the adopted state budget that were specifically itemized for a feasibility study, but the money could potentially be collected by the governor’s office from a larger pool designated for multiple potential projects, most likely the state Department of
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes recently moved onto Palmer Avenue in Larchmont, making the site its second location in New York. For story, see page 6. Photo/Suzy Berkowitz
Transportation’s $27 million capital budget. While there is currently no timetable to complete the feasibility study, state officials expect the study to be conducted soon. Latimer described the opposition to the project as “significant in both Westchester and on Long Island,” and reiterated his personal, ongoing opposition to the project, citing excess traffic, the cost of construction and environmental impact as some reasons to reject the idea. soundlink continued on page 9
Village downtown parking pilot program ready for liftoff By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The village of Mamaroneck will inch toward implementing a pilot program that aims to help both village officials and residents determine how patrons of Mamaroneck Avenue pay for their parking in the future. According to the village’s capital projects consultant Mary Shiffer, the test—which will start being rolled out in approximately two to three weeks— aims to install 18 single-space meters from three different companies and also two multispace meters from one company. After installation, Shiffer said, the village will compile data from the different vendors and the different style of meters and judge their effectiveness based on reliability, cost-to-benefit ratio and user feedback. The pilot program, she added, will last no more than 90 days. Single-space meters—which have been the most popular option among residents—will be equipped with sensors that allow the meter to detect when a car pulls away from a spot and will then reset the time accordingly, Shiffer said. This would allow the village to gain more revenue by increasing the amount of turnover. “There’s a little bit of extra revenue when you can’t piggyback off of someone else’s time,” she said. Both the single-space and multispace meters will accept
coins and credit cards. Currently Mamaroneck Avenue uses antiquated coin-operated meters that have, after years of neglect, created the impetus for the village to modernize its parking payment system. Though the village Board of Trustees voted to purchase $115,000 worth of multi-space meters in 2015, the meters were eventually deployed in parking lots as opposed to Mamaroneck Avenue, following concerns over the meters’ need for license plate-reading technology. As it stands, the village will look at meters from three different vendors—IPS, Calle and Civic Smart—according to Village Manager Richard Slingerland. The meters are currently out to bid. While there are currently two multispace meters installed on the avenue that are being used to pay for parking in lots that run behind the downtown area, these meters aren’t currently a part of the pilot program, according to Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat. Shiffer explained that once the pilot program is kicked off, however, those meters will be programed for spaces on the avenue and included in the pilot. According to village resident Maria Derose, chairwoman of the village Ad Hoc Parking Committee, while the multispace meters have only been installed on the avenue since January, residents have already experienced parking continued on page 11
INSIDE Final decision on Playland next week. Story on page 8.