Village Trustees Want Improvements On Emergency System

During last night's village board meeting at the Rutherford Hall in Village Hall, the board of trustees discussed improving the Village's Emergency Communications.  Talks of solving the problem was in light of the March 13, 2010 winter storm when 70 percent of residents were left without power and the village communication systems failed.

Many residents at that time were without power, roads were impassible, and there was an ongoing danger from electrical wires and falling limbs, but because of a lack of a generator, Village Hall had no way to send mass communications to Scarsdale residents.

Trustee Miriam Levitt Flisser said the staff would work on making recommendations for establishing a modern communications system.

"We'll look for a solution with the biggest impact, and review the options methodically to be sure of a safe outcome," she said.

To communicate with residents, the Westchester County emergency notification system uses a reverse 911 call, and the Scarsdale schools system sends mass communications through e-mail, phone and text messages. Flisser called both systems excellent.

In addition, Flisser spoke about other ways people who need special care can receive help during an emergency. Westchester County's "Ready Westchester" program keeps a registry of residents who will need assistance in the event of a mass evacuation.

To register for "Ready Westchester," residents can dial 211, or sign up at www.westchester.gov/special needs

Another issue brought up by a resident was an "unsightly garbage dump" along 80 Garden Road. Robin Schultz, who lives across the street, urged trustees to take action and resolve the problem. Since developer Kesner purchased the 10-acre property, there has been an accumulation of garbage, debris, and wires for the past two months. Shultz said the developer has failed to meet town requirements for bundling up the debris.

"It's disgusting," she said.

Shultz said she has contacted the Sanitation Department and was told that they were working on the issue, and would be sending letters to all residents. In addition, she said she was concerned that such garbage on the property can accumulate rodents, mosquitoes and termites.

During the meeting, the board granted permission to the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce to hold a Fine Arts Festival in the Village Center on June 19-20, 2010.

"We are very excited about [the festival]," said Lewis Arlt, board president of the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce. "We think it's going to be a terrific event."

The festival would bring residents and visitors to the town, which enhances commerce. The Chamber of Commerce has received forty signatures from merchants in the downtown area who support the event.

The village board also approved the acceptance of a charitable donation from the Quaker Ridge Golf Club to the Police Department and the Fire Department of $10,000 each with the purpose of purchasing equipment and other resources to enhance delivery of public safety.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 8 p.m. at Rutherford Hall.