Sarah Lawrence College Update 10-5-20

As many LPWA members know, SLC has had a very measured campus opening this fall, with only a portion of their students in residence along with very strict pandemic related safety protocols. SLC reports their safety protocols include wearing masks at all times anywhere on campus except in dorm rooms or when eating and 6 foot social distancing all the times (even in classes). No informal gatherings of more than 10 people, and in the past few weeks SLC has begun to allow formal gatherings of no more than 25 — all with social distancing.

SLC has asked for LPWA’s help encouraging neighbors to wear masks if they are walking on the public streets through the campus as a way to further encourage students to comply with the college’s safety protocols. The college is aware they can’t require masks to be worn on public streets and many may think it’s unnecessary outside, but it would be an acknowledgement that the neighbors are supporting the college in its efforts to mitigate risks for their students, faculty and staff as well as the surrounding community. The LPWA Board has considered and supports SLC’s request.

SLC’s COVID related updates can be seen here: https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/fall-2020/

SLC’s general events calendar is here: https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/news-events/events/

City of Yonkers Update 10-5-20

Mike Breen’s office reports the Boulder Creek Property on Central Park Avenue is being rebuilt as a medical facility. Yonkers schools are opening and residents should expect more traffic on area roads during morning and afternoon rush hours. Repaving on Hampshire and Glen Washington Roads has been completed. Since May 2020, over 1200 summons have been issued for speeding vehicles and motorcycles and reckless driving in the areas of Central Park Avenue, NYS Thruway and the Sprain, Saw Mill and Bronx River Parkways.

President’s Update 10-5-20

At a recent LPWA Board meeting on 9/24 the Board discussed the most recent paving activity on Hampshire Road and Glen Washington Road as well as the recent storm water drainage upgrades on Ledgewood Road. While the City of Yonkers has a very limited repaving budget, the LPWA will continue to communicate with Mike Breen’s office on neighborhood repaving priorities.

Treasurers Report
The Treasurer reported the LPWA is currently in solid financial condition and we have finally obtained 501(C)4 status.

Landscaping and Beautification Committee
The Landscape Committee discussed the Boulder Trail/Highland Circle triangle being damaged from a fallen tree during Tropical Storm Isaias. The current plan is to let plants and dogwood tree that survived fill in and reassess the need to replant next year. The triangle off of Hampshire/Hereford has had damage from lack of curbing and the Committee is looking into options for preventing further damage.

Membership and Communications Committee
The Committee reported on the membership drive which began the end of May with emails to Association members. So far there are 55 paid credit card memberships along with 3 or 4 sent checks to the treasurer. 10 parties registered on the website but have not paid. Last year’s membership drive included snail mail, and resulted in 90 paid memberships vs. ~60 gained this year. The current plan is for the Membership Committee to pull the lapsed list and send post cards / follow-up emails to the 40-50 lapsed members.

Save the Date – The Board approved holding a public Annual Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, November 12th. More information to follow.

Miscellaneous
The LPWA received email from the President of SLC about an incident with a resident refusing to wear a mask on a public street through campus. The Association to post an announcement on the LPWA website encouraging all to follow SLC’s pandemic protocols, which requests mask wearing for everyone on campus, even when walking thru the campus on public streets. The college understands it cannot require mask wearing on public streets but has asked neighbors to respect it’s policies as way to help encourage students to do the same.

LPWA members have sent in reminders to fill out census forms by the recently revised deadline of October 31 as well as support local Bronxville merchants.

The Village of Bronxville, the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce, and a growing network of engaged local residents have created BXV FOR BXV, an ongoing and wide-ranging set of initiatives to invigorate the Bronxville community. More information can be found about the initiative at https://www.bronxvillechamber.org/bxvforbxv

 

 

Yonkers Police Department Update – August 11, 2020

Yonkers Police and partner Law Enforcement Agencies issue 1,200 summonses since May

Yonkers, NY – The Yonkers Police Department’s commitment to reducing instances of speeding, reckless driving, and motor vehicle and motorcycle quality-of-life issues reached a milestone over the last two weekends with the issuance of 320 summonses, bringing the total to over 1,200 summonses issued since May of this year. Traffic enforcement details have been conducted every weekend and random days during the week specifically targeted to address community complaints in the areas of Central Park Avenue, the New York State Thruway, the Sprain Brook Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway, and the Bronx River Parkway in addition to specific local streets and avenues.

Members of the Yonkers Police Department’s Traffic Unit, 1st and 2nd Precincts, working together with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the New York State Police (Troop K and Troop T), and the Town of Greenburgh Police Department, focused on those violations that had the greatest impact on public safety and quality-of-life, including speeding, reckless driving, speed contest (drag racing), modified mufflers, equipment violations, registration and insurance violations, unlicensed operation, failing to signal, and more. Several persons were arrested over the course of these details and over a dozen vehicles have been impounded to date.

“The growing number of drag racers and reckless drivers violating the rules of our city, state and county roadways is concern for every Yonkers resident, as it causes an abundance of noise pollution and dangerous conditions,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Thank you to our Yonkers Police and neighboring law enforcement agencies for cracking down on those who don’t have respect for their fellow drivers or residents. No one is above the law and we will continue to ensure quality of life issues like this are fully enforced.”

Police Commissioner John J. Mueller stated, “The Yonkers Police Department recognizes the importance of quality-of-life enforcement for our residents. Yonkers residents have continually expressed concerns about excessive noise and unreasonable speed that is a direct result of drag racing and after-market equipment. We also recognize that many car enthusiasts abide by the law while respecting and acknowledging the concerns of their fellow citizens; these enforcement initiatives are not for those people. It is our hope that car enthusiasts can enjoy this recreational opportunity in a way that does not impact fellow Yonkers residents. The primary objective is to find that balance and I hope these initiatives will move us toward that goal.”

These enforcement details are a direct result of community feedback and law enforcement’s mission to ensure the safety of our roads and preserve the quality-of-life for our residents and will be continuing. Community members are encouraged to contact the Yonkers Police Department at (914) 377-7900 to report in-progress traffic violations; emergencies dial 9-1-1. Community members may also forward information to police@ypd.yonkersny.gov.

Anonymous tips can be sent by texting the key word YPD plus the tip to 847411. Anonymous tips can also be sent to us directly through the Yonkers PD Tips app which can be downloaded for free to any Apple or Android device.

The Yonkers Police Department extends its gratitude to the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the New York State Police (Troop K and Troop T), and the Town of Greenburgh Police Department for teaming together to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for our residents now and in the future. Thank you for supporting Law Enforcement and the Yonkers Police Department.

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.

News from Yonkers & Councilman Breen

Yonkers Council Member Mike Breen from the 5th District recently sent out an email blast. Here are the two most important updates from it for our neighbors.

Bronx River Road Infrastructure Improvements
As the completion of Stagg Development’s new building at 705 Bronx River Road approaches, infrastructure improvements are currently ongoing. Stagg is now fulfilling their agreement to improve the intersection of Bronx River Road, Midland Avenue and Broad Street. Stagg reached out to the community and asked what was the most important issue they could resolve. In response to the community concerns, a new traffic pattern for the intersection of Bronx River Road, Midland Avenue and Broad Street to reduce backups was added to the plan. The long awaited 3rd lane (northbound) is being constructed. When completed the three lanes will include a right turn only lane, a northbound lane and a left turn only lane. Together we have added some new housing stock, convenient to the Fleetwood Train Station and made a very important and needed infrastructure improvement to the neighborhood.

15 Parkview Avenue
In March 2019 a five alarm fire caused significant damage at 15 Parkview Avenue and displaced over 150 residents of the building. The owner of the property submitted a variance request to the Yonkers Zoning Board of Appeals to raze the building and rebuild, however, the ZBA heard our neighbors and unanimously denied the requested variances. Our boards, like the ZBA, have dedicated volunteers who spend countless hours reviewing applications, hearing from all interested parties and making decisions based on all of the information they have gathered. I’d like to thank the volunteers on all the City’s Boards and Commissions for all of the time and effort they expend on behalf of its residents.

To receive Councilman Breen’s email blasts, click here to join his email list.

President’s Update & Summary of LPWA Board Meeting – May 7, 2020

On Thursday May 7 the LPWA Board met to discuss the status of our new website, membership activities, financial status and other neighborhood topics.

President’s Opening Comments

Steve Howard opened the meeting by commenting on all the progress we have made over the past year concerning the website, registering the organization with IRS and island landscaping. Board members also discussed the general well-being of our friends and neighbors in Lawrence Park West and how lucky we all are to live in such a beautiful environment during these uncertain times.

Membership and Communications Committee

The Committee reported 65 people have used the website to activate their account and or pay membership dues. Members have praised the effort and thanked the board for developing the new website and the relatively seamless roll out. Our goal also is to periodically update the website with local real estate market news, City of Yonkers and Sarah Lawrence College News and other local events.

LPWA will continue to notify the neighborhood with respect to any security concerns and other incidents or events of general interest to homeowners. As LPW is a heavily wooded area and wildlife sightings are common. Members are encouraged if they think such a siting is of general anecdotal interest, to report it to the LPWA for inclusion in the website.

There are currently 100 single family household members out of a total of approximately 300 households in LPW. LPWA’s goal is to reach 150 household members for the 2020/2021 dues and membership drive this summer.

The Board decided to postpone the annual 2020 fall gathering usually held in September to a later date, likely spring of 2021. Alternative venues and formats will be considered for this rescheduled event

Landscaping and Beautification Committee

The Committee is continuing to work with our landscape contractor on the annual maintenance and planting program for the five islands the LPWA maintains. The LPWA signage is also being maintained on an ongoing basis.

Treasurers Report

The Treasurer reported the LPWA’s financial condition is stable with adequate reserves to support our planned expenditures for 2020 and 2021. LPWA recently obtained an IRS tax ID number and we applied to the IRS for 501(c)4 status as a not for profit corporation.

Sarah Lawrence College update

As all Lawrence Park West neighbors can tell, the Sarah Lawrence College (SLC) campus has been very quiet for the last two months after all students left in late March.  Due to the cancellation of in-person summer programs, the campus is expected to remain quiet throughout the summer and SLC (along with all NYS colleges) continue to actively monitor guidance from the State to help inform their future operations. SLC is expected to announce in early July whether the fall semester will begin on their campus, online, or a hybrid of the two.
 
The College has only a few ongoing projects this summer. New chillers are being installed as part of the HVAC system replacement at the Heimbold Visual Arts building, a project that started this past winter.  With fewer people on campus, SLC expects the HVAC replacement project to finish on schedule by the end of the summer.
 
The only other notable projects include the final interior landscaping and pathway work at the second level behind the new campus center and the annual maintenance of trees on campus. SLC has advised LPWA that any neighbors immediately adjacent to campus where tree work is being performed will be notified.

 

Bronxville Farmers’ Market Update

The Farmers’ Market is thrilled to announce that they are opening starting on Saturday, May 23rd with enhanced safety protocols. The Farmers’ Market wishes they were opening under normal circumstances with music and cafe tables to enjoy brunch, but these extraordinary times call for them to implement extraordinary changes to their operation. There will be no music, no eating on-site, and no lingering. The market will open with a smaller roster of vendors to accommodate more space in-between tents and shoppers. They will add vendors as conditions allow. Entry will be timed and require pre-registration. Only a certain number of shoppers will be allowed in at a time so folks can maintain 6ft+ distance. They encourage you to preorder and pre-pay for efficiency.  Check out their Facebook page for registration and vendor listing. See you at the Market!

LPWA Annual Gathering is postponed

LPWA Annual Gathering is postponed until Spring 2021. More information to follow.