Westchester Herald

Mayor Marvin's Column By Mary C. Marvin

 I compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions that have come my way as Mayor.  I thought a global response to some of them might be helpful to many other Village residents.  I could also title this column, “Things I Never Knew Until I Became Mayor.”

Why do the parking enforcement officers watch drivers cross double yellow lines or engage in other driving infractions and do nothing about it?

 

Mayor Marvin’s Column BY Mary C. Marvin

 Over the summer months, Village Government, School Administration, the Police Department and the Village’s Green Committee collaborated to launch an educational effort aimed at the idling of cars in our Village.  Back to school seemed the appropriate time to begin the campaign.  In February of 2009, the County Legislature enacted a wide ranging ban on the idling of buses, trucks and cars throughout the County.  The Village also has an anti-idling provision in the Village Code but not as comprehensive.  Given the cost of gasoline, combined with the known effects of pollutants on the human body, it makes sense both financially and environmentally to address this issue in a collaborative way.

Mayor Marvin’s Column BY Mary C. Marvin

 As has been my practice for the past few summers, this will be my last column until Labor Day when most Villagers have returned from summer holiday.  July, as you might expect, has been quieter at Village Hall than the Spring months.  This extra time has allowed us to tie up loose ends, evaluate our priorities and create a “to do” list for the Fall.  We have many initiatives/challenges ahead on many fronts and I wanted to share with you the projects that the Trustees and I will focus on in the coming months:

Mayor Marvin’s Column BY Mary C. Marvin

Of major consequence to both Village government and individual residents is a proposed increase in water costs and fire hydrant maintenance charges by our water provider, United Water of New Rochelle.  Because this is all unfolding during the summer months, I did not want it to catch Villagers unaware especially in light of the fact that the proposed rate increase is astronomical – an increase of 50% over the next four years.  By way of comparison, Con Edison is seeking a 4% increase over the next three years.  To challenge this rate increase, Bronxville has joined a consortium which represents nine of the ten municipalities within the Westchester County United Water service territory.  We have jointly hired an attorney to help us navigate the process through the Public Service Commission.