Winter 2021 Newsletter

Nancy Seligson, Town Supervisor

Town Racial Equity Task Force Update George Floyd’s murder last summer shocked the conscience of our nation and of our community. It laid bare the unjust racial realities of our society and it exposed the roots of the problems and systems in our country that perpetuate inequalities. We were inspired by our students and local leaders like Councilman Jeff King for leading our community in vigils last summer, but the work continues.

Councilman King is chairing the Town’s Racial Equity Task Force to foster greater equity for all people in the Town of Mamaroneck by evaluating Town practices and services and engaging the community in discussions to raise awareness of inequities that exist in the Town based on race, gender, religion or sexual orientation and endeavor to correct them.

He and the Task Force, along with Town staff, are developing a Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Report that will be delivered to New York State by April 1st in response to Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Order mandating that we review our Police Department practices. As part of that process, we held a virtual public meeting to solicit feedback and hear from members of the community about their experiences with the Town’s Police Department.

Another virtual meeting for public input will be scheduled in March. In addition, you should have received a post card from the Town inviting you to participate in a survey on how we can improve the Police Department. If you haven’t responded to the survey yet, you can find a link to it on the top of our town website’s homepage at www.townofmamaroneckny.org/.

Snapshots of a Socially Distanced Holiday Season!

Town Board Members: Jaine Elkind Eney Abby Katz Sabrina Fiddelman Jeffery King

Dear Residents,

Winter 2021 Newsletter

This past year has been very challenging, to say the least, on many fronts. We have all had to deal with the effects the pandemic has imposed on us. Through the efforts of the Town Administrator, along with the support of Department Heads and staff, the Town was able to continue operating to serve its residents. In an effort to protect staff and the public from increased exposure, we were open by appointment only and that schedule continues to this day.

In spite of the pandemic, this past year, the Town held events and was able to accomplish noteworthy goals.

Some of the most significant accomplishments include: - The Town Center was the site for early voting in our community and accommodated over 10,000 people.

- In early August, we survived Storm Isaias and the aftermath that involved extensive cleanup. Town staff and officials worked seven days a week following the storm to clear roads, pick up debris, and advocate for power restoration.

- The Town’s strong financial position proved to be extremely beneficial in 2020. The Town maintained its Aaa financial rating, the highest rating possible, and was able to refund debt at an incredibly low interest rate of 1.1%.

- We completed much needed renovations to enhance the Senior Center and repair the sanitary sewer infrastructure.

- After months of deliberation and taking into account comments from residents, the Town Board passed a revised rock removal law. In addition, the Town Board enacted a moratorium on rock removal that expires in June 2021.

- Of course, the Town also faced the unrest and upset in our country this year about the unjust racial realities of our society. Students and residents rose to the occasion to acknowledge the inequities with two public events.

As we enter 2021, we have a lot to be thankful for in the Town of Mamaroneck. I look forward to working with the Town Board members, staff and volunteers on the initiatives of 2021.

Best regards, Nancy Seligson, Town Supervisor The Town of Mamaroneck is committed to fostering welcoming communities and an equitable, diverse and inclusive society.

Social distanced holiday cheer with TMFD; Honoring our Veterans; Halloween Drive-Thru; Early Voting at Town Center

Supervisor Nancy Seligson Mamaroneck Town Center 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Keep connected! Please sign up for Town emergency notifications and other important information at: www.townofmamaroneckny.org

2021 Adopted Budget: What You Need to Know

Thank You to Town Administrator Steve Altieri!

Budgeting in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis presented a host of new challenges. The changes in economic conditions this past year were unprecedented and what will happen in 2021 is difficult to know. The Town’s revenue decreased dramatically in 2020, primarily due to the elimination of a number of recreational programs. At the same time, our programming expenses decreased as well, though not by as much.

Despite the many challenges this year brought, including decreased revenues, the budget was well within the New York State tax levy cap. The Town Board members and I truly appreciate the time spent and effort made by Steve Altieri, Town Administrator, Tracy Yogman, Town Comptroller and the many Department Heads, who were instrumental in developing this fiscally responsible budget.

Each year, we project costs and revenues based on the national and regional economic conditions and the needs of the Town. As usual, Town revenues have been estimated with a conservative outlook. We project that the economy will remain in the current condition through the first half of 2021 and we anticipate that recovery to pre-pandemic levels will begin in the second half of 2021. We will defer non-critical capital projects to reduce our financial obligations. All of this resulted in a 1.46% increase in the tax levy, keeping the tax increase below the tax cap rate of 2.20%. The following pie charts illustrate the allocation of expenses in the Town and where your tax payments go.

Operating Budget, By Type of Service Provided

$3,953,143 Culture & Recreation 9%

$1,488,677 Social Services 3%

$10,385,410 Employee Benefits 25%

Revenue Breakdown, by Type

Property Taxes Departmental Income Other Tax Items Federal & State Aid Appropriated Fund Balance Licenses & Permits Intergovernmental Funds Use of Money and Property Fines & Forfeitures Miscellaneous Interfund Transfers

$27,554,613 $4,439,468 $2,761,400 $2,291,108 $2,250,000 $736,900 $543,150 $422,460 $186,000 $144,455 $681,380

66% 11% 7% 5% 5% 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 2%

Comprehensive Plan Update

Our Town Needs You! Volunteer for the Town! The Town is looking for qualified residents to sit on the following committees or commissions. All adult Town residents are eligible to serve on these committees.

Please contact Supervisor Nancy Seligson, Supervisor@TownofMamaroneckNY.org, with a letter of interest and a resume.

1. Housing Authority 2. Traffic Committee

Rock Removal Moratorium

$500,348 Land Use Administration 1%

In response to persistent resident complaints about loud and disruptive rock removal, and while balancing the rights of property owners, we passed a moratorium on mechanical rock removal until June 2021 and overhauled our laws governing rock removal after the moratorium expires. Be a good neighbor and please review the new law before making any changes to your property!

Property Tax Payment Breakdown Town Tax 24%

County Tax 17%

Thank you Steve !

The most important part of the process will be to get public input about what you value in the Town, as well as your vision for the Town. Some of the areas to be evaluated include; recreation, housing, community character, sustainability and transportation/mobility issues. Please look for the Town outreach about the opportunities to participate this spring.

$9,954,329 Public Safety 24%

$3,594,587 Debt Service 9%

Town Administrator Steve Altieri was the first Town Administrator hired by the Town and has been leading the operations of the Town for 38 years. Steve has set the bar for professionalism and dedication to the Town. He is widely known as one of the best municipal managers in New York State and has committed himself to making the government and services of the Town of Mamaroneck the best they can be. He is a tremendous resource and we will miss him. The Town Board has hired a search consultant and is in the process of recruitment for a replacement for Steve.

The Town Board is excited to embark on the Comprehensive Plan Update this spring. The project was to have started in early 2020, however, due to the pandemic it was delayed for a year. Thus far, the Town Board has appointed a Town resident to Chair the Steering Committee and is working closely with our consultant who will guide us through the process.

$5,553,386 General Government 13%

$6,607,554 Public Works 16%

A very special and long-term staff member is retiring this year.

School Tax 59%

COVID-19 Didn’t Stop Our Semi-Annual Town Cleanup Day!