By Mary Marvin, Mayor, Village of Bronxville

Nov. 2, 2022: Given the time of the year, the following are just a compilation of timely news items, gentle reminders and explanations of policies most germane to the season as we enter a most joyous and family centered time but are also one more crowded and frenetic.

Holiday Season & Shopping Local

As the holiday season fast approaches, our merchants need resident support more than ever. Local patronage not only adds to the much-needed sales tax revenue but also sends an even more important message to our merchants that their presence in the Village is valued and appreciated.

We are unique in that Bronxville has one of the highest concentrations of locally owned independent businesses in the county, some of the businesses having been with us for 20 years, others even 50 plus years.

On so many levels, shopping locally is a major driver of the financial and frankly aesthetic health of the Village.  

We ask you first to think local and save time, money, gas and do the environment a favor by shopping at our treasured merchants.

As an added bonus, at this time of year, our sidewalks become an even more important confluence of needed intergenerational connection as strollers share space with our seniors and multi-generational discourse is fostered.

Having our youngsters shop locally also gives them an appropriate degree of independence when allowed to walk for their gifts for friends and family. Studies have shown all this kind of interaction actually adds to our longevity! So please think local and buy local.

Please Don't Cross Double Yellow Lines to Park & Reminder About Cars & Crosswalks

This time of year, also, if possible, actually increases the number of drivers crossing double yellow lines to snag a coveted parking space, particularly on Pondfield Road. The Police Chief is quite aware of the uptick and adds officers when available to concentrate on this violation.

Crossing the double yellow line is a difficult defense to punish, as a police officer, not a parking enforcement officer or a citizen with a camera, must actually witness the violation. Unfortunately calling the police desk with license plate numbers and photos has no legal effect. Contrary to popular belief, it is not at all a cash benefit to the Village as 90% of any fines go to the State of New York per the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Laws.

In the same vein of traffic safety, as a reminder, when a pedestrian enters a designated crosswalk, New York State law requires not only the car in the immediate lane to stop but also the cars traveling in the opposite direction.

As illustration, at the crosswalk near the soccer store and Houlihan Lawrence Realty, the law requires that all four lanes of traffic stop when an individual enters the crosswalk. Conversely, it is important to remember that a crosswalk is not an extension of the sidewalk and pedestrians must exercise careful judgment before taking the first step off the curb. When crossing a roadway without a marked crosswalk, a pedestrian must yield the right of way to all vehicles.

Information About Our Meters & Parking

Remaining on business district issues, parkers often ask the rationale for the days our meters are in operation, as they don’t always coincide with federal holidays.

The purpose of a meter is to stimulate the movement of cars to increase customer parking for our businesses and their operational hours have no relationship to the Village’s respect for certain holidays over others. As example, on Veterans Day all of our stores will be open so providing free parking from 8 AM to 7 PM would severely hurt business traffic versus free meters on Memorial Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when all stores and businesses close and meter operation has no impact on the needed rate of space turnover.

Parking on all Village streets is currently prohibited from 2 AM to 6 AM. The rationale is not only for the obvious reasons of street cleaning and snow plowing but also to spot abandoned or suspicious cars left on Village streets.

Home Renovation & Painting

Another issue of concern at this time of year is the proliferation and length of major home renovations as residents try to accomplish a great deal of work before the ice and snow season begins.

As background, the terms of any Village building permit allows work to be done from 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays only, with no exceptions. If the activity is one that does not trigger a permit, house painting as an example, work can be done on weekends provided it does not violate the Village’s ordinance relating to undo noise and disturbance.

Beware of Scams Related to Your Con Edison Bill

This time of year, for some reason, is also the start of “scam” season and one of the first scams out of the box relates to your Con Edison bill. We have had so many residents over the years get duped to the tune of many thousands of dollars by some very sophisticated schemes related to our utility.

Con Edison advises that they do not accept payments via Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or Bitcoin so hang up on anyone calling and asking for Con Edison payments by these methods.

Always ask for an ID if someone comes to your door claiming to be from Con Edison, call-1-800-752-6633 in their presence and confirm the employees name and ID number. Never share your account number or show your bill to someone at the door and if you are not sure an email is really from Con Edison do not click on any of the links.

Election Day

As a reminder, November 8^th is Election Day. Early voting will end November 6^th.  To find your nearest early voting location and schedule, please visit the Village’s website or click here. Polling locations for November 8^th are as follows:

• Districts 16 &17, Iona University - Bronxville Campus - 171 White Plains Rd (formerly Concordia College)
• Districts 18, 19 & 21, Fire House - 20 Midland Ave 
• Districts 20 and 22, Christ Church - 17 Sagamore Rd

To confirm your polling location you can click here for the Board of Elections website and simply enter your address.