WESTCHESTER WATCH: LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Board Prioritizes Health, Safety, Infrastructure Initiatives, and Community Engagement.
White Plains, NY — On Monday night, the Westchester County Board of Legislators convened its ninth meeting of the year and voted on several crucial legislative items.
Board Chair Vedat Gashi (D - New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “As we complete our first half of this year, I am proud of the gains we continue to make addressing the needs of Westchester County from housing to infrastructure to other critical items. Last night, we approved vital infrastructure initiatives including – a Juvenile Detention facility in Valhalla, sewer infrastructure in Tarrytown and improvements at the Mamaroneck Water Resource Recovery Facility. We also passed legislation to expand medical services, to enhance our technological capabilities while ensuring safer roads for our residents, and to enable community connections on a local level. As we move into the second half of the year, I look forward to passing more legislation that will continue to benefit our residents. I extend my thanks to County Executive George Latimer and my colleagues for their collaboration.”
Juvenile Detention Facility
The Westchester County Board of Legislators has approved a significant investment in the safety and well-being of our youth; a $4 million bond issuance has been approved to spearhead critical enhancements at the Woodfield Cottage juvenile detention facility. This transformative project, estimated at $4 million, is set to revitalize the facility through essential upgrades including roof rehabilitation and HVAC replacement. Funded through bonds and associated notes, this initiative underscores the County's unwavering commitment to safeguarding our community's future.
Legislator Erika Pierce (D- Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) Public Works & Transportation Chair said, “It is important to all of us at the BOL that we do what is needed to protect the quality of life for those who live and work at the facility. We applaud the County for expediting this project.”
Health: Medical Services
In a resounding commitment to the health and safety of its employees, the Westchester County Board has approved a significant five-year agreement with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation (WCHCC). This partnership will ensure comprehensive post-exposure evaluation and follow-up medical services for employees potentially exposed to blood borne pathogens, which are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans. By prioritizing employee well-being, this collaboration underscores Westchester County's unwavering dedication to fostering a healthy and thriving workforce.
Traffic and Criminal Software Program
The Board has authorized the continuation of agreements for the Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) program, bolstering road safety by streamlining electronic traffic ticket and accident report processing. This innovative initiative, renowned for its efficiency in electronic traffic ticket and accident report processing, plays a pivotal role in reducing error rates, enhancing data entry accuracy, and expediting data availability for analysis. This decision underscores the County's dedication to reducing highway fatalities and injuries, ensuring safer roads for all residents.
Legislator Judah Holstein (D - Eastchester, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle) Information Technology & Cybersecurity Chair said, “I am proud to champion the continuation of agreements for the TraCS program. This initiative epitomizes our commitment to road safety, leveraging technology to streamline processes and ultimately save lives. By reducing errors, enhancing accuracy, and expediting data availability, TraCS plays a vital role in ensuring safer roads for all our residents.”
National Night Out
Legislators prioritize strengthening community engagement and safety through “National Night Out” Programs by greenlighting inter-municipal agreements with New Rochelle and Peekskill, allocating funds of up to $4,120 and $2,000 respectively. Additionally, the Board approved $2,000 in funding for Bronxville's “National Night Out” during the April 29th meeting. These initiatives aim to foster police-community partnerships, promote neighborhood camaraderie, and create safer communities through engaging activities such as community tours, presentations, food, music, sports, arts and crafts, and raffle giveaways.
Majority Whip Legislator Terry Clements (D- New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor) Public Safety Chair said, “We in New Rochelle really value and enjoy our “National Night Out” events as a chance for our residents and police officers to interact in a safe, enjoyable environment. These evenings foster trust and collaboration to benefit the entire community.”
Legislator Colin Smith (D- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown) said, “National Night Out is a great opportunity for the police and community coming together in a safe and fun atmosphere. It demonstrates the commitment the men and women in uniform have to our communities, the pride they take in their work, as well as demonstrating how important these relationships are to building a stronger community and fair and more equitable policing.”
Minority Whip James Nolan (R- Yonkers, Bronxville, Eastchester) said, ““Thank you to my colleagues on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for voting to approve IMAs for the Town of Eastchester and Village of Bronxville National Night Out Program! National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, and more caring places to live. As someone who prides themselves on supporting Law Enforcement, I am an advocate for National Night Out being a way for local police departments to build stronger relationships with the communities they protect and serve.”
Vital Investment in Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure
The Board has greenlighted additional bonds totaling $2 million to bolster the Replacement of Tarrytown Force Main and Route 119 Gravity Sewer, aiming to address critical upgrades in the region's sewer system. This initiative, responding to recent pipe breaks and regulatory concerns, includes an emergency bypass and rehabilitation of key sections, underscoring the County's dedication to environmental standards and ensuring vital sanitary services for residents.
Public Works & Transportation Chair Erika Pierce said, “We last took up this project last year, when the anticipated timeline for the construction of a replacement sewer was much longer, and are thrilled that we now have a path which allows for us to move directly from the construction for the emergency bypass to the design and eventual construction of the replacement which should serve this community well for fifty years.”
Amended Bond Act Prioritizes Crucial Infrastructure Upgrade
The Board passed an amended bond act, reducing authorized bonds to $35.7 million and reallocating $5 million for blower replacement at the Mamaroneck Water Resource Recovery Facility. This addresses the urgent need highlighted by the Department of Environmental Facilities to upgrade existing blowers, ensuring operational reliability and regulatory compliance. Additionally, a $14 million bond issuance is approved for blower replacement and system upgrades, crucial for maintaining infrastructure integrity and meeting regulatory standards. This decision reaffirms Westchester County's commitment to environmental sustainability and effective wastewater treatment processes, reinforcing its dedication to community well-being and environmental stewardship.
Pumping Station Rehabilitation
Today, the Board approved a groundbreaking $18 million bond act to fuel a Pumping Station Rehabilitation Program. This transformative initiative targets critical upgrades at the Mamaroneck Water Resource Recovery Facility, benefiting the Mamaroneck Sanitary Sewer District and addressing urgent rehabilitation needs at key stations like Weaver Street, Fenimore Road, and Saxon Woods.
Legislator Catherine Parker (D - Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye) said, “Westchester County is committed to ensuring a cleaner Long Island Sound and to improving the waste water treatment facility. With a focus on efficiency, energy conservation, and cost-effectiveness, this legislation underscores the County's unwavering commitment to environmental protection and regulatory adherence.”
Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson (D - Elmsford, Greenburgh, Tarrytown, White Plains) Budget & Appropriations Chair said, “The approval of this project marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical infrastructure needs of our County and the needs of my district. This project is vital for the safe and efficient transport of sewage, particularly given the recent breaks and the need to meet state-mandated timelines. These measures reflect our commitment to maintaining and improving essential infrastructure for the well-being of our residents."
Public Hearings – June 17th
A local law to impose vehicle-owner liability for failure to stop for a school bus, aiming to prevent accidents caused by reckless motorists and enhance student safety.
A local law amending Chapter 107 of the Laws of Westchester County to modify the length of terms for Westchester County Legislators.
Watch the 2-Minute Board Meeting Recap Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZydQicdofI
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment