Written by Carol P. Bartold

Nov. 12, 2014: The focus was on business and infrastructure at the Bronxville Board of Trustees regular meeting on November 10 as Mayor Mary Marvin outlined the progress of ongoing projects in the village.

"I have to say, in terms of activity and variety right now, it's unprecedented the number of things we have going on," Marvin said.

Parkway Road Bridge: Marvin reported that the Parkway Road Bridge repair project should be put out to bid in January of 2015. Village Administrator Jim Palmer added that WSP SELLS, the engineering firm hired to inspect the bridge, finished the physical inspection and is in the process of drafting specifications and repair details to include in the bid package.

Marvin announced that the City of Yonkers has approved the intermunicipal agreement with Bronxville for repairs on the Parkway Road Bridge and will contribute $30,000 toward the approximately $180,000 in anticipated repair and rehabilitation costs to reopen the bridge. The village awaits approval from the Town of Eastchester for its $30,000 contribution toward bridge repairs.

Kensington Road Project: The Kensington Road development project has entered its anticipated eight-week contaminated soil removal phase. Mayor Marvin stated that, with the NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital project on track for an on-time completion, some congestion generated by the Kensington Road project should be mitigated. Hospital officials anticipate enclosure of the addition by year-end and completion by fall of 2015.

Village Zoning Codes: In an ongoing effort to position Bronxville as attractive to business, Marvin stated that the trustees continue to review the village's zoning code to ensure that the code is "on par with our neighboring communities" in attracting new business. The trustees will work with the planning board, design review committee, and zoning board of appeals to discuss possible changes to the zoning code.

"There is no doubt this needs to be done," said Deputy Mayor Robert Underhill, "but let's don't try to get where everyone else is. Let's try to get even better. That should be our objective as opposed to being as good as others."

Small Business Saturday: To promote existing businesses, on Small Business Saturday, November 29, the village will partner with Admiral Real Estate Services of Bronxville to sponsor free street and lot parking from noon until 6:00 pm.

Village resident Paige Nagle, along with the Bronxville Beautification Committee and Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop, plans to stage holiday decorations in the windows of the empty storefront on the corner of Pondfield Road and Garden Avenue. "The thought, frankly, was to help some of the merchants by making the village a bit more inviting," said Mayor Marvin.

The Bronxville Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, December 8, at 8:00 pm in the trustees room at Bronxville Village Hall.

Pictured here (L to R): Bronxville Village trustees Anne Poorman, Mary Marvin, Bob Underhill, and Guy Longobardo and James Palmer, village administrator.

Photo by Carol P. Bartold