By Staff

Mar. 16, 2016:  The outcome of the Bronxville Village election held yesterday, March 15, was a forgone conclusion, since incumbent trustees Anne Poorman and Guy Longobardo and incumbent justice George Mayer won unopposed.

Both trustees reported looking forward to their new terms in office, and, at the request of MyhometownBronxville.com, wrote the following on their goals and on the village projects for the coming year.

Trustee Anne Poorman: Statement on Goals and Projects for 2016

Goals:  I am so pleased with the new village staff. Interviewing candidates for Bronxville police officer and for management roles in administration, finance, and public works has been a recent highlight for me. We'll be able to provide better services with these talented professionals. I feel very energized by these caring staffers; I feel very hopeful for Bronxville's future.

The trustees work very hard to keep our portion of village taxes stable. We're proud we've been able to maintain excellent services while unfunded mandates increase and other costs soar. We'll continue to operate a lean budget and strive to avoid tax increases.

I'm very proud that the village board has shepherded so many infrastructure projects to fruition in the past few years. I am grateful for the knowledgeable and passionate input of our residents. Our goal is to leave the village a better place than we found it. I believe we're moving in the right direction.

Projects:  2016 can be summed up in one word: infrastructure. The village has numerous projects under way that will come to fruition this year. Other long-planned infrastructure projects will see significant progress.

1. Our downtown lighting will finally be upgraded. This is great news for public safety and improved ambience. The Village of Bronxville is busier in evening hours than it was a generation ago. We have more service businesses and restaurants. Commuters now work later and walk through our downtown in the dark. Last year the trustees spent a surprising amount of time selecting hardware. With village administrator Jim Palmer's prodding, we reached consensus and await the delivery and installation of new light poles. They'll give better illumination, create uniformity across our streets, and decrease both electrical and maintenance expenses.

2. The beloved Park Avenue brick road will be restored. Brick-laying on Park Avenue will take place when temperature permits. Residents were very gracious and patient during the disruption of preparing the roadbed and underlying pipes. Thanks to The Bronxville Historical Conservancy for financial support and aesthetic guidance. A unique, charming, value-enhancing Bronxville feature has new life.

3. The village hall walkway, front lawn, and streetscape will be upgraded. Necessary repairs will be enhanced by a more coherent plan that is in keeping with the four corners architecture. This construction will take place, after competitive bid selection, when the weather warms up.

4. The Kensington Road project rises. In 2016 we will see 30 years of negotiation, deliberation, and careful planning come to fruition. Now called VillaBXV, the project will add gracious living and needed parking space on a formerly contaminated site. Thanks to all the nearby residents, Christ Church, and others for tolerating the upheaval of construction. The condominiums are scheduled to open in mid-2017, so 2016 will see the majority of exterior progress. 

5. The FEMA project to reduce flooding in and near The Bronxville School will proceed. The village was so fortunate to receive a grant that significantly underwrites the expense of flood mitigation. No major infrastructure project across government entities runs perfectly, but Bronxville Village government is committed to keeping this important project alive. For the long-term health and safety of our residents and our school system, it is critical we not drop the ball now. 

Trustee Guy Longobardo:  Statement on Goals and Projects for 2016

Goals:  The goal of the village board is to provide quality services and plan for the future of the village while being mindful of the tax burden that our residents bear not just from the village but also from the school, the town, the fire district, and Westchester County.

Bronxville is a special place, and one of the reasons that it is special is that there are so many volunteers who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work for the community; this includes a broad group of people--parents who dedicate their time to the school, people who serve on the boards of local charities, parents who coach their kids' sports teams or are involved in other activities such as the arts, and Mayor Marvin, my fellow trustees, and the members of the various village committees and boards.

I am proud to be a part of this group and to have the opportunity to serve the village. I would also like to encourage more people to serve on the village's boards and committees so that the next generation of leaders can see how Bronxville government works and then become involved at the board level. 

Projects:  We continually work to maintain and to improve the village infrastructure and have a number of important projects under way or getting under way. These include the FEMA flood mitigation project, the completion of the Kensington Road parking structure, a project to improve street lighting throughout the village (improving lighting quality and energy efficiency while reducing operating and repair cost), the reconstruction of the village hall steps, and a number of other items. We feel that we have been very successful at keeping the quality of village services and infrastructure high while keeping village taxes low.

Pictured here (rotating):  Trustees Anne Poorman and Guy Longobardo (photo by N. Bower); Justice George Mayer (photo by A. Warner); Bronxville resident Allison Roesser voting yesterday at Bronxville Village Hall (photo by N. Bower).