President’s Update – July 24, 2020

LPWA’s recently received an IRS determination as a 501(c) (4) organization thanks to the hard work of our treasurer Jack Rose. Membership dues are not tax deductible but the Association itself is exempt from federal income tax. While the Association was formed in 1955, it wasn’t until the website was developed over the past year along with credit card payment capability that the Association’s federal income tax status had to be established with the IRS.

The LPWA Landscape Committee continues to work on upgrading and maintaining the islands, pillars and the LPWA  signage throughout the neighborhood. Recently replanted islands at Wrexham and Glen Washington Roads, Boulder Trail and Highland Circle and Carlton and Hampshire Roads are taking hold and maturing nicely.

The LPWA Membership Committee has embarked on the 2020/2021 membership drive. If you have not done so, please renew your membership and encourage neighbors who are not currently members to join. While the annual gathering this fall has been postponed, the board is considering holding a virtual annual meeting. More to come on this alternative to an in person annual meeting.

Over the past several years LPWA has provided communication assistance to groups of neighbors with respect to sewer projects that have now been recently completed on Devon and Ledgewood Roads. LPWA has also maintained ongoing deliberations with the City of Yonkers through Council Member Mike Breen’s office regarding traffic control measures at various intersections throughout the neighborhood, the timing and location of road resurfacing projects and curbing projects. Council Member Mike Breen also reports that since May the Yonkers Police Department along with the Police have issued over 500 tickets in an attempt to curtail drag racing on Central Park Ave and speeding motorcycles on the Sprain and the New York State Thruway.

Sarah Lawrence College reports their faculty and staff has worked over the spring and summer to develop plans for the fall semester that prioritize community safety while also ensuring students are able to continue to receive an appropriate education. The College will be opening its residence halls to a significantly smaller number of students this fall semester – roughly 45% of the typical residential community – and nearly all classes will be taught online. Students who live on campus or near campus and commute will have access to the College’s facilities and many will work with faculty in smaller groups or individually to complement their online courses. More detail on the College’s plans for the fall is provided on their fall planning website.