RyeCity REVIEW THE
December 09, 2022 | Vol. 10, Number 49 | www.ryecityreview.com
Westchester County legislative maps redrawn
BACK ON
THE MAT! Wrestlers from Rye and Hackley face off during the Bernie Miller Duals on Dec. 3, 2022. The event, hosted by the Garnets, was the first wrestling tournament of the year for many Section I teams. For story, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith
Harrison approves plan to renovate deteriorated sanitary sewage pipes The town of Harrison has approved a plan to repair and replace deteriorated sanitary sewage pipes for Harrison making it the first community in Westchester to create a clean-up program for its residents. A substantial source of pollution in the Long Island Sound comes from cracked sanitary sewer lines, which transport sanitary wastewater from homes to wastewater treatment plants for the removal of pollutants. A failure to maintain the sewer infrastructure, including failure to prevent excess inflow and infiltration of stormwater into cracked sewer lines, causes the discharge of raw and partially treated sewage into the Long Is-
land Sound. Overflows and leaks of raw or partially treated sewage expose the public to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Harrison has agreed to establish a sewer lateral program to assist homeowners with the maintenance and replacement of their aging and leaking sewer pipes. Attorney Albert J. Pirro, a partner of Abrams Fensterman, representing Pipelogix LMS, said, “The Town of Harrison has agreed to enter into a contract with Pipelogix to provide Harrison property owners with an affordable sewer lateral service and repair program.” Under the program, the town of Harrison will incur no costs.
Pipelogix would charge individual homeowners approximately $14.95 per month for which Pipelogix clears blockages, and trenchless replaces broken and deteriorated pipes, all without additional cost to the Harrison homeowner. The Pipelogix Program permits Harrison homeowners who do not wish to participate in the program to opt out during the annual opt-out period. However, since homeowners are generally unaware of deteriorated or broken underground sewer pipes, many see the program as an insurance policy. In municipalities in Long Island that have adopted the program, 85% of residents participated.
In a special meeting on Tuesday evening, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted 14-2 to adopt new county legislative district maps. The maps were drawn and amended three times throughout the past year in consultation with redistricting experts from the Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz and through general public input. In total, the BOL hosted five public input sessions, a public hearing, and allowed for comments to be submitted in writing, as well. Redistricting is required every 10 years after a new census. The 2020 U.S. census revealed that Westchester County’s population had increased, putting us over the one million mark for the first time in our history. Because the increase is greater in some parts of the County than others, the work was to readjust legislative districts so that the population of each are as equitably split as possible. This readjustment ensures equal representation for all residents, and will reflect local municipalities more accurately. The new maps were generated to address areas of the county that have grown large, diverse populations. These new maps establish a Black-majority district in Mount Vernon (D-13); Yonkers forms one minority-plurality district (D-16) and one Hispanic-majority district (D-17). Expanded borders created a minority-plurality district in New
Rochelle (D-11); and, there is a minority-opportunity district created in Port Chester (D-6). Chairwoman Catherine Borgia said, “After over a year of listening to feedback from proactive and engaged voters, I am proud of the maps we’ve put forth. It has not been a simple process, but with community involvement, we’ve managed to create boundaries that allow communities to grow comfortably for the next ten years.” In addition to addressing diversity parameters, the new maps make several communities whole which have been segmented in prior maps. These communities include the localities of Peekskill, Briarcliff, Sleepy Hollow, and unincorporated Greenburgh. Making these changes will make the respective districts more compact without compromising other redistricting parameters. Majority Leader Christopher Johnson said, “A fundamental part of our democracy is making certain that all voters are represented equally and fairly. Westchester’s growth in population and diversity demands that we increase the voting power for all communities through redistricting.” He continued, “It is my hope that Westchester residents see themselves reflected in those representing them in this Body.” The newly adopted maps will go into effect in time for county legislative races in 2023.