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Written by Matt Miller

Published: 05 July 2023

Created: 05 July 2023

Last Updated: 05 July 2023

Hits: 2158

Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association held its 95th Annual 4th of July parade in Arthur Manor and later conducted the July 4th ceremony and picnic in Davis Park on an overcast and very muggy Tuesday morning, July 4th. Throughout the morning’s parade and ceremony, it was unclear if the weather would cooperate. Fortunately for all in attendance, the rain held off until the end of the celebration. This annual neighborhood association celebration started in 1928!

Marchers gathered at the corner of Bell and Sprague Roads at 9:15 am on Tuesday morning to compete in the various categories of parade and float participants. Before the parade started, judges carefully reviewed and ranked the individual and group marchers in categories such as most patriotic costumes, strollers, tricycles, and of course the floats.

At 9:45 am, a special Scarsdale Police Department escort led the parade, accompanied first by the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 (founded on Sprague Road in 1893) together with all of the marchers, including Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest and Village Trustees Dara Gruenberg and Randy Whitestone, leaving first from Bell and Sprague Roads, down Sprague Road to Lyons Road and then finishing up at Davis Park.

After the marchers and parade watchers all reached Davis Park, the traditional 4th of July ceremony was held before the flag pole at the North end of the park.

The ceremony began with the raising of our nation’s flag by the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1’s color guard. Long time Arthur Manor resident Richard Gast then beautifully sang the National Anthem which was immediately followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The crowd also observed a moment of silence to remember all of the men and women who sacrificed so much for liberty and democracy in the United States and abroad.

Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest then addressed the crowd in Davis Park on the importance of July 4th and the significance and history of this special day both locally and nationally. Village Trustee Randy Whitestone spoke next to the crowd on the vital role local Scarsdale community organizations played during the Korean war and the parallels in today’s geo-political environment. Former Trustee Matt Callaghan was also in attendance together with Arthur Manor’s very own Uncle Sam (played, as always, with style by Teegan Lee).

Former Arthur Manor President Al Stuart then conducted the awards ceremony for the day’s marchers and other parade participants in the various categories such as patriotic costumes, floats, bicycles, and tricycles.

The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association’s July 4th parade and picnic was sponsored by its own members and the awards for the 2023 field events were provided by local merchants such as the Bagel Power, Big Top Toys, and Scarsdale Pastry on Weaver Street, Buon Amici on Scarsdale Avenue, Carvel on Mill Road, Giannoni’s Deli on Garth Road, Happy Days Pizza on Post Road, Italian Village Pizza and Standing Room Only at the Golden Horseshoe, Martine’s, La Renaissance and Learning Express in the Village Center, Pizzarelli’s on Depot Place in the Village, Via Forno, Scarsdale Bagels and Jackie B’s on Garth Road. The Arthur Manor association encourages all of its residents to buy local when possible.

At the conclusion of the 4th of July ceremony, the crowd then walked to the other end of Davis Park for the annual field events including the three-legged race, potato sack and wheel-barrow races, and Arthur Manor’s all-time favorite, the annual “egg toss” - first appearing at Arthur Manor’s July 4th picnic in 1944. The field games were expertly conducted by Arthur Manor resident Andrew Krause. (A list of the winning field event participants also follows below).

This year’s egg-toss was won by Ari Maibrunn and Shane Kelly! Second place egg-toss winners were Olivia and Sam Bryant! Congratulations to all those who participated in the 2023 egg toss event! Lots of good memories were made on July 4th in Davis Park this year.

Hosting the event was Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association President, Matt Martin.

This annual event in Arthur Manor is only made possible through the collective efforts of the Arthur Manor volunteer residents including especially the Marcus, Roche, Porco, Krause, Carlton, Bonanno, Bongiorno and Stuart families, and all of the other Arthur Manor volunteers too numerous to list here. A tremendous THANK YOU to all those residents who helped make the special day happen!

The Arthur Manor association encourages all of its residents to start practicing now for the July 4th, 2024 egg toss.

Arthur Manor 4th of July Celebration Parade Winners, July 4, 2023

Marchers in Patriotic Costumes

1st place: “Stars and Stripes, Barbershop Quartet”, Chris, Jeanie, Christopher and Grace Horne
2nd place: Isadore Nathanson
3rd place: Miles and Joshua Koppel

Scooters

1st place: Penny Stuart
2nd place: Bobby Kyle Carlton
3rd place: Abby Garvey
Honorable Mention: Olivia Garvey

Bicycles

1st place: Leila Capossela
2nd place: Caitlin Hung
3rd place: Eliza Krauss
Honorable Mention: Natalie Stelzer and Cole Capossela

Tricycles

1st place: Sophia Barguirdjian
2nd place: Oliver Barrera-Shere

Carriages and Strollers

1st place: Sophie’s Super Tricycle, Sophia Barguirdjian

Floats (1st Place Tie!)

1st place: “From Sea to Shining Sea”, The Porters and Nathanson Families, (Hazel, Anna, Colin and Izzy), and dog as shrimp
1st place: “The Igloo”, The Callaghan and Lednack Families, (Jack, Sloan, Reed and August)
2nd place: “Stars and Stripes, Barbershop Quartet”, Chris, Jeanie, Christopher and Grace Horne

Arthur Manor 4th of July Celebration Field Events, July 4, 2023

Dash

1st Heat: 5 yrs. Old and under, boys and girls together
1st- Anika Pandit
2nd- Sarah Basner
3rd-Harry Ferjak-Seely

2nd Heat: 6 and 7 old, boys and girls together
1st- Thomas Mykijewycz
2nd- Colin Porter
3rd – Eliza Krause

3rd Heat: 8,9,10 year old, girls
1st- Juna Feldmann
2nd- Sophia Vuu
3rd- Lillian Peterson

4th Heat: 8,9,10 year old, boys
1st- Johan Schuerlein
2nd- Patrick Haggerty
3rd- David Diaferia

5th Heat: 11 yr old and older, girls
1st- Malu Gonzalez
2nd- Bilun Karal Kenison
3rd- xxxxxxxx

6th Heat: 11 yr old and older, boys
1st-Lutz Feldmann
2nd- xxxxxxxxxx
3rd-xxxxxxxxxx

Wheelbarrow Race (Teams of two, boys and girls mixed)

1st Heat: 7 yrs old and under
1st- Ally Cole and Olivia Garvey
2nd- Thomas Mykijewycz and Kaiden Keany
3rd- xxxxxxxxxxxx

2nd Heat: 8,9,10 yr olds
1st- Ellen Chang and Sophia Vuu
2nd- Johan Schuerlein and Patrick Haggerty
3rd – Elizabeth Abramov and Lillian Peterson

3rd Heat: 11 yr old and older
1st- Ben Maibrunn and Miles Mancini
2nd-Maggie Harrington and Grace Horne
3rd- Elle Peterson and Angela Peterson

Potato Sack Race/ Girls
1st Heat: Girls 6 and under
1st- Ada Grace Fischesser
2nd- Anika Pandit
3rd- Lilly Wilson, Mary Kate Coccia

2nd Heat: Girls, 7 and 8 yr olds
1st- Olivia Garvey
2nd- Elizabeth Abramov
3rd- Ellen Chang

3rd Heat: Girls, 9 and 10 yr olds
1st- Sophia Vuu
2nd- Lillian Peterson
3rd- Eliza Krause

4th Heat: Girls, 11yr old and older
1st- Ella Peterson
2nd- Grace Horne
3rd- Caroline Mykijewycz

Potato Sack Race/Boys

1st Heat: Boys, 6 yrs and under
1st- CJ Coccia
2nd- Max Panzer
3rd- Leo Pollaro

2nd Heat: Boys, 7 and 8 yrs old
1st- John Harrington
2nd- Johan Schuerlein
3rd- Collin

3rd Heat: Boys, 9 and 10 yrs old
1st- George Zhang
2nd- Ben Maibrunn
3rd- Patrick Haggerty

4th Heat: Boys, 11 yrs old and older
1st- Miles Mancini
2nd- Rohan Pandit
3rd- xxxxxx

Three Legged Race (Teams of Two, Boys and Girls Mixed)

1st Heat: 6 and under
1st- Kaiben Keany and Anika Pandit
2nd- Mary Coccia and Max Panzer
3rd- Kai Feldmann and James Haggerty

3nd Heat: 7 and 8 yr olds
1st- John Harrington and Luke Harrington
2nd- Thomas Mykijewycz and Johan Schuerlein
3rd- Ally Cole and Olivia Garvey

4th Heat: 9 and 10 yr olds
1st- Ben Maibrunn and Lincoln Robinson
2nd- Juna Feldmann and Alisha Kumar
3rd- Lillian Peterson and Elizabeth Abramov

Egg Toss

1st- Ari Maibrunn and Shane Kelly
2nd- Olivia Bryant and Sam Bryant

Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 July 2023

Created: 13 July 2023

Last Updated: 13 July 2023

Hits: 3745

Many residents have noted the loss of a Regency style home at the corner of Crane Road and Church Lane. First because the 1930’s weathered brick home had a squirrel weathervane and lots of character and second because it was nicely setback on an ample size lot of just over a half acre.

Despite an opinion by the Village’s architectural historian Andrew Dolkart arguing for its preservation, developers received permission to tear down 29 Church Lane in 2022. In September 2022 builder Dean Scampone received permission from the Scarsdale Planning Board to subdivide the lot.

Now, the property has been divided and two very large homes have popped up. They appear to be very close together and close to the street. The bulk of the home on the corner blocks sightlines and may make this busy intersection even more dangerous. The street is narrow so if cars and trucks park on the street, drivers have to swerve into the opposite lane to pass them. Trees have been taken down, and there is a loss of pervious surface in an area that is prone to flooding.

A posting on Facebook about the demolition and subdivision in October 2022 received 60 comments. One said, “A long time ago/when we were kids here I remember learning that Scarsdale required every house built to be unique. No house could be a copy of another. I learned about this in 8th grade in Social Studies (Popham House 1983). Indeed that was what made Scarsdale a beautiful residential community. Every home was unique jewel box regardless of size, with a size and design harmoniously built within the parameters of its lot. It took thoughtful planning over time to make a beautiful and elegant community. It doesn’t take that much time to take it all down.”

Another said, “I am assuming it's in the hands of a developer?? The lot it sits on is so small … how would they fit two properties there?? Besides the sad fact that that beautiful home will be demolished, that cross section is already so busy and dangerous w its blind spots for vehicles and pedestrians ... this would involve at least 6 months of construction!! Outrageous!!”

The original house at 29 Church Lane.

And a third, asked, “I would love to better understand what we can do to stop the subdivisions and the building of houses that take up all the yard. So many beautiful homes and properties are being ruined in our lovely town!”

Still another said, “Does the Village and its code take any responsibility and will it manage safety with all of the construction vehicles --Crane and Church is a high traffic access point for Fox Meadow Elementary School and for students who walk to SHS. That is the only side of Church with sidewalk access. The number of accidents on Church and Crane between St James and Chase Rd continue to go unnoticed. How will the Village manage safety?

The same scenario occurs over and over again in Scarsdale, yet the Committee for Historic Preservation, the Planning Board, Zoning Board and Village Trustees throw out the welcome mat to developers while turning a deaf ear to neighbors and residents who clearly want better preservation laws, a halt to subdivisions and stricter building requirements. Each board claims that they are following the law governing their own board which prevents them from considering the total picture.

Is anyone listening? Why are we permitting a few developers to profit while we lose neighborhood character, exacerbate flooding and increase the risk of accidents?

Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 28 June 2023

Created: 28 June 2023

Last Updated: 29 June 2023

Hits: 1700

Are female student athletes being treated equally to male athletes in Scarsdale? The answer is a resounding “NO” from girls who have been playing softball on subpar fields for years while the boys played on well- maintained fields that include extras like dugouts and a scoreboard.

The situation has gotten worse, not better over the years, as more and more clay and drying agent were dumped on the softball fields in an effort to keep them playable.

According to a memo from the Recreation Department, “Through years of continuously adding clay and drying agent to maximize field usage, our infield elevations are substantially higher than the grass outfields. Additionally, a lip has formed along the arch between the clay infield and grass outfield, creating a fishbowl effect not suitable for sheeting of water into the outfields during rain events. Furthermore, the subsurface has been compacted to a point that
impedes drainage.”

The schools made a hasty attempt to improve the situation by doing some work on a school-owned baseball field at Greenacres and dedicating it in early June. However, the softball players quickly realized that this field was flawed and inadequate.

Improving the Village-owned fields was the subject of a work session of the Village Board on June 27, 2023, when trustees considered a proposal to renovate four fields at an estimated cost of $50,000 per field. The department proposed “surveying the infields, removal of existing sod
and clay from the infields as well as an 8-foot perimeter of sod around the clay arch, tilling sub soils to aid in drainage, addition of new clay and sod, building new pitcher’s mounds, and regrading the infield to promote drainage into grass outfields.”

Superintendent Brian Gray recommended work be done on:

Crossway Filed 2 – a baseball field closest to the Crossway Firehouse
Supply Field 2 – a softball field next to the parking lot used by the Varsity Girls Softball team.
Crossway 1 – a baseball field closest to the parking lot
Hyatt Field 2 – a softball field at Hyatt Park

There are plans afoot for a comprehensive field study to be done with the cooperation of the schools and the village next year, so trustees discussed whether this interim measure should be taken.

Trustee Jeremy Gans explained, “Since the renovations will not completely strip the field, this will improve them in a material way for the short to medium term. It will get rid of the pitch and some of the compactness. It isn’t a long-term solution.”

Mayor Justin Arest said, “The field study is good but it won’t fix our fields There is a conflict between making them usable now and their long term life. Would it be helpful to add two more fields to this plan and spread out the play?”

Deputy Mayor Whitestone concurred. He said, “I believe we should address the worst fields in the near term. The perfect should not be the enemy of the good.”

Ultimately the trustees agreed to ask Gray to get bids to remediate these four fields in addition to two more fields, Crossway 3 and Supply 2.

Trustees discussed the timing and said that the goal would be to complete the work by April 2024. Hopefully the fields will not need to be closed in the fall as Scarsdale Travel Softball uses them for their program. Gray estimated that it would take two months to get the bids and six to eight weeks to do the work.

During Public Comments Michelle Sterling said, “I am the mother of a varsity girls softball player. The field is pathetic. It is the worst field in the division. Everyone slides on the rocks. The girls are looking at Dean Field where the boys play vs. Supply Field where they play. There is incredible inequity. Please prioritize Supply Field as it is the only field for our Varsity girls and get it ready for April.”

Joe Guarino said he is the parent of a rising middle schooler and a Board member of travel softball. He said, “Supply Field is the only game in town for us. When we think about the program for girls – everything happens at Supply Field while the boys have many fields to play on. There is certainly an equity discussion needed. It is concerning if we have to close the fields in the fall as we play then. You realize how limited softball in Scarsdale is now.”

Becky Bach from Scarsdale Travel Softball said, “After it rains parents come out with rakes to take the water off the field. In the spring we shrink our program due to limited field space. There are only three fields that are village-school owned. If we closed the fields in the fall – we have already had our tryouts.”

Village Election

Trustees then considered a proposal by Village Clerk Taylor Emmanuel to turn over the management of Village elections to the Westchester County Board of Elections. Scarsdale is one of only four villages in the county that supervises its own election of Village Mayor, Trustees and Village Justice. This election is held in March and there has also been discussion of moving the date to November so that the election could be held at the same time as the local, state and national vote.

Emanuel was clear about her recommendation. She said, “It is not that I cant’ do it (here) – but I recommend that we turn it over to the BOE.”

The advantage is there would be cost savings of $8-$14,000, depending on if the election is contested, and any election challenges would be handled by county officials.

Also – the Village already pays the county $18,000 a year to run the November elections.

See her memo here:

There is however a potential downside to losing local control of the elections. She outlined, “Petitions to appear on the village ballot would have to be submitted to the BOE directly. Parties and candidates would need to coordinate with the BOE on Campaign Financial Statements and related election documents. The Village would have no responsibility or assume any liability for any of this paperwork; nor would the Village retain any of it. Voters applying for absentee ballots would apply directly to the County Board of Elections. Additionally, all official results after the close of the polls would be determined and announced by the County and posted on their website by the next business day.”

For a contested election, if the results were not received until the following day, the Village would need to change their custom of celebrating the new Mayor and Board on election night after the closing of the polls.

In order for the change to be enacted, it would require a “permissive referendum,” which Village Clerk Taylor Emanuel outlined as follows: “The board must adopt a local law or resolution transferring the election to the county and I will then need to notice this legislative act and wait to see if a valid petition is filed requiring that the question of transferring the elections to the county appear on a ballot. Alternatively, the village board on its own motion may send the question directly to the voters.”

Discussing the timing of the election trustees agreed that it would be better to leave it in March. If it is moved to election day in November, Trustees feared it would be overshadowed by state and national elections and become partisan.

The Board took no action on this at the work session but said it would be discussed further in September.