City Council Notes

– By Robin Jovanovich –

May 7

Traditional Theme at Square House

As it does every spring, the City Council began its first May meeting at the Square House, which served as Rye’s first City Hall.
The meeting, always well attended, is an opportunity to introduce and thank members City staff and volunteers and honor past mayors and Council members. This year was the first time that RYE TV has filmed the proceedings at the Square House, enabling all residents to share in the wonderful tradition.
Former Councilman Joe Latwin remarked, “We’ve come a long way since city government all fit into this building.” Assemblyman George Latimer recalled the time when he was a Councilman and noted that when he comes homes to Rye he appreciates the form of government and kind of community created here. Former Councilman Bob Cypher joked that with a few more scandals upstate Assemblyman Latimer could be our next Governor.
Former Mayor Warren Ross said it was a pleasure to see the new Boston Post Road configuration. He added, “If you put a rumble strip on Oakland Beach Avenue, I’ll nominate this Council for the City Council Hall of Fame.”
Bill Rodriguez, who is retiring as Superintendent of Recreation after 20 years, was praised for his leadership in so many areas. “Bill made this a better place,” said Doug French, Recreation Commission chairman.
For Mayor Steve Otis, the annual meeting at the Square House “renews what we are all about.”

Non-Agenda Items

A representative from Heal the Harbor, Jordan Glass, asked the Council to address the ongoing health, building and environmental issues on Hen Island. City Codes are not being followed, he said. Mayor Otis discouraged him from elaborating on the current litigation and encouraged him to leave behind pertinent documents for Council review.

September 11 Memorial

After last year’s floods, the plan to build a bridge over Blind Brook, from the Village Green to the Rye YMCA, was no longer viable. Meanwhile, the September 11 Memorial Committee has been working on alternative ideas for a memorial. “We’re looking for Council support to add a gazebo on the Village Green,” said committee member Holly O’Neill. There was one behind the Square House in the 1920s, which they’d like to recreate.
The Council, which has seen a photograph of the gazebo that was once behind the Square House, supported fast tracking the proposal. Mayor Otis said he’d touch base with representatives of the Board of Architectural Review and the Landmarks Advisory Committee. Landmarks member Nancy Stampleman, who was in the Council Room, reminded Mayor Otis that this proposal must go to Landmarks first. “Our next meeting is May 28; our new chair is Anne Stillman.”

Construction Noise Penalties/Hours

The public hearing continued on amendments to the City Code regarding construction noise penalties. After extensive input from contractors and builders over the last few months and continued complaints from residents about non-compliance with the current law, the Council proposed increasing the maximum fine from $250 to $750, $1,000 for repeated offenses.
To give “more teeth to the law”, Corporation Counsel Kevin Plunkett also recommended a 72-hour stop work order. “In most circumstances, a judge will rely on the fines, but with flagrant flaunting, the work suspension provision is a tool we want to give to judges,” said Mayor Otis. Attorney Joe Latwin argued that the proposal is outside the jurisdiction of the city courts.
The Council voted 6-1 to amend the law. Councilman Joe Sack voted against because he still had unanswered questions about whom the burden would fall on — homeowner, contractor, subcontractor. “I don’t think the burden should fall on the homeowner.”
Another section of the City Code — lawn equipment noise — required amendment because of an editing error made in the draft of the seasonal ban on leaf blowers. Currently, permitted hours for use of lawn equipment are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Councilman George Pratt said he had no interest in hearing lawn equipment until 8 p.m. on weekends. “I pay too much in taxes,” he said humorously. Encouraged by community enthusiasm for a reduction in noise and improved quality of life, especially during the warmer months, the Council voted to move the clock back by two hours on weekends and holidays to 6 p.m.

Heading South on the Boston Post Road Diet

City Planner Christian Miller and project consultant Peter Russillo of John Collins Engineers presented the latest plans for the remainder of the Boston Post Road diet, from the Old Post Road to the Mamaroneck town line. The plans are due to go out to bid this month, said Miller. “Our strategy is to coordinate paving bids with striping.”
As planned, the Boston Post Road will be reduced from four 9-foot lanes to two 11-foot lanes, with a 6-foot flush median and 4-foot shoulders. A separate left turn lane will be added at the entrance to Rye Golf Club and the entrance to Park Avenue. Left turn slots will be created at Oakland Beach Avenue, Soundview Avenue and Glen Oaks Drive.
Russillo said they might want to revisit the signal at Oakland Beach Avenue. During peak hour, traffic currently “doesn’t travel well” near that intersection, especially at Osborn School pickup time.

After hearing a detailed report and asking a number of questions on traffic safety and volume, the Council told City staff they were moving in the right direction on the diet.