Closer Inspection of Mr. Schubert’s Pond
As promised, a hydrologist paid a visit to Bob Schubert last week. The City Council, at its February 25 meeting, authorized the hiring of an independent engineering firm to review hydrology issues at Schubert’s 980 Forest Avenue property.
For two and a half years, Schubert has petitioned the City to determine where the water went after the City permitted his neighbor to install a drywell. The area is subject to wetlands review but no wetlands permit was required in this case. Schubert’s pond has virtually dried up. At numerous Council meetings, Schubert sought assistance from the City. He was repeatedly told that his problem was with his neighbor.

Happiness Is Another Puppy
Raising puppies right is hard work. It demands patience, consistency, and time. My experience is it’s better done in the absence of children. But that’s no fun. It’s better to do it half-right, enjoy the puppies with the children and if you and your children are relatively consistent you end up with a relatively trained lovable addition to your family. Or you can take our approach.

Follow-Up on the News
Marina Dredging Completed
After receiving the post-dredging survey, Boat Basin Supervisor Peter Fox told the paper, “We achieved what we wanted.”
From mid-November to January 31, the contracting firm of R.B. Conway & Sons of Islip carried out the City’s project to dredge the Rye Boat Basin docking areas and the 100-foot wide Federal channel leading to Long Island Spound. A separate firm, Hydrographic Surveys of New Jersey, was retained by the City to survey water depth before the dredging and after the project completion.

Al Sealed Up
Last week the clean-up at 626 Milton Road was quickly and neatly accomplished. The dumpster has yet to be removed, but truckloads of garbage were taken away. The house is no longer inhabited and the property has been fenced off.

Downtown Streetscape Plan Unfolds Beautifully

The City’s Central Business District Task Force is making good progress with its improvement plans for downtown Rye. Equipped with a consultant study completed in March 2007 and a design plan submitted in December 2008, the committee has set its immediate sights on the Purchase Street intersections with Elm Place and Smith Street.

Rye’s Non-Profits
In Tough Times, Rye Y Expands Its Outreach and Charitable Goals
Retrench is not in the Rye YMCA’s vocabulary. They’re not reducing staff or cutting back operating hours. In fact, they’ve added new programs and summer camps and are even developing an after-school curriculum.
The Y’s Board approved a five-year plan earlier this year that “looks beyond our four walls,” said Helen Gates, Director of Marketing.

Calling All School Board Candidates
Three seats on the seven-member Rye City School District Board are up for election this year. Any Rye resident interested in being a candidate may pick up a candidate's packet at the District's Central Administration Offices, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, 100S, school days between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eligible candidates are those who are at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens who have lived in The School District for at least one year by the date of the election, May 19.

Conservation Café to Focus On Wastewater
Find out what happens to wastewater once it goes down the drain, and the impact it can have on the environment during the next Conservation Café forum, “After the Flush: Westchester’s Wastewater and the Environment,” Friday, March 27, 8-10 a.m., at the Kessel Student Center at Pace University in Pleasantville. The moderator is Bill Lawyer, Director Emeritus, Greenburgh Nature Center, and member of the Environmental Advocacy Group of Rye.