Aim to Increase AIM, Decrease Tax Burden

On Friday, Feb. 23, Mayor Justin Arest and Acting Village Manager Alex Marshall attended a press conference where the New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps and White Plains Mayor Tom Roach called on New York State to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for the first time in 15 years. AIM support plays a critical role in paying for essential municipal services for cities and villages across New York State, they explained, and a long overdue increase would lighten the local tax burden and help revitalize New York’s communities. Mayor Arest said AIM dollars help with “unfunded mandates,” such as infrastructure needs, among other things. He also noted a state budget reduction in CHIPS funding, which is specifically for paving roads, is another added burden on local governments and taxpayers.

Crossing Crossway May Be Tricky for a While

In order to prepare for the installation of a 36-inch diameter steel gas main line on Crossway from Weaver Street to Mamaroneck Road, construction is anticipated to begin March 25 to replace existing water and sewer pipes where appropriate and move them to a lower elevation to make way for the new gas line. An estimated 60 feet of road per day will be dug up and backfilled. Services should not be interrupted in the area, but traffic will be impacted. Advance notice of work, traffic and bus line changes will be communicated by village officials.. Neighborhood residents will be hand-delivered information prior to the start of construction. Inspectors will be on site and those who live in the 37 houses will be able to get in and out of their driveways. Work will be performed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are several lateral roads in the area for vehicles to circumvent the area. Pedestrian safety will also be prioritized. The project is expected to wrap up in November.

Mayor Addresses Tax Bill Concerns

At the Feb. 27 Village Board business meeting, Mayor Justin Arest addressed growing community concern over delinquent tax bill penalties that were assessed to some residents for late payment of the 2023 school taxes last fall. Some residents say they never received the bills, so the village has launched an investigation into the matter to determine what might have gone wrong, and what changes can be made going forward. See the Mayor’s full statement by clicking here.