City Council Notes

– By Robin Jovanovich –

October 18

School crossing guard Annette Scappatura, who is retiring Oct. 31, was recognized for 34 years of service. She had a perfect attendance record and will be hard to replace said Councilmembers.

Assistant City Manager Scott Pickup encouraged anyone interested in filling the position to contact City Hall (967-7404). The job is part-time and averages three to four hours a day weekdays.

Having been encouraged by the federal courts to settle the litigation with Cingular Wireless, Corporation Counsel Kevin Plunkett said there appear to be two potential downtown cellular sites worthy of study. His office has referred them to the Planning Commission and the Board of Architectural Review for comment. “We're to report back to the federal courthouse Nov. 17.” See story on page 4.

Discussion continued on the Council's proposal to restrict merchant permit parking holders from parking in the 96 parking spaces closest to stores and businesses in the downtown lots. There is consensus on the Council but they postponed setting a public hearing until all parking proposals had been reviewed and discussed in budget workshops.

Public comment was invited on the parking pay stations that were installed in August 2005. “We have to deal with their status through the budget process which begins Nov. 8,” said Mayor Steve Otis.

Resident Joan Cresap said that as far as she was concerned the “experiment” has been a failure. “Every business owner I've spoken to says they've lost business as a result of the meters.” Councilman George Pratt spoke up, “The political and budget season has begun!” (For those who missed the reference, the parking meters were a political football in the City Council elections last fall.)

“This is an example of government at its worst,” Cresap said. “The City never counted on money from parking before to make budget. It should be looking at ways to cut spending.” Cresap reminded the Council that a promise was made during last year's election to remove the meters if they didn't produce $350,000 in revenues in the first year.

Councilman Gerry Seitz, who led the move to add metered parking in the five downtown lots to improve turnover and the City's bottom line, said that what the City got from the meters was $190,000. “Granted there will be crunch times and you can't build enough parking for Christmas Eve shoppers, but the meters are serving their purpose.”

On Councilman Seitz's proposal to limit eight parking spaces on the west side of Purchase Street and Elm Place to 30 minutes from their current one-hour limit. Jim Finneran, resident and owner of The Pub on Elm, said the proposal won't work for his business or any of the nearby businesses. Finneran noted that this was his third appearance before the Council on the matter. “Merchants are already unhappy about the meters and the continued parking shortage.”

Councilman Andy Ball said that until there was a better rationale for the proposal that it should be “eighty-sixed.” Without further ado, Councilman Seitz agreed to table his proposal.

Representing the Rye Middle and High School PTOs, parent Lucy Flynn asked the Council to install a police officer at the Milton Road/Apawamis Avenue crosswalk. “It's an accident waiting to happen, with 1,400 students in the Middle and High Schools, an increase of 152 students in three years, and a similar swell in traffic violations.” In an informal study conducted by Police Officer Joseph Cancel during drop-off and pick-up hours Nov. 8 and 9, 2005, he reported 259 violations, from speeding by parents and students to U-turns made by students looking for parking spaces to motorists darting out of their lane. “Only a police presence can change this.”

Rye Golf Club Manager Scott Yandrasevich brought the Council up-to-date on operations at Whitby Castle. The City has been operating the restaurant since May. “We're moving forward on financial stability. Membership dues have subsidized the restaurant for a long time and we want to change that. We need to make the Castle self-sufficient.”

Yandrasevich was happy to report that more members have been dining at the restaurant in the last five months than in the previous five years under Restaurant Associates management. “We're reestablishing an important connection with members.” The Golf Club Commission has concluded that taking control of the facility is the best plan. Starting the first week of November, the restaurant will be open daily. It will also be open for Thanksgiving dinner and weekend brunch will be offered in the near future. Councilman Ball added that the new bar overlooking the golf course is a great addition.