Letter to Editor in New Rochelle Sound and Town Report, 9/20 - 9/27/10  by Peggy Godfrey

Many residents  of New Rochelle were concerned about low water pressure long before United Water filed for an 54% rate increase.

In the not too distant past mid-rise and high-rise buildings constructed decades ago were being told that to get water to the upper floors, they needed to put in a pump. A United Water official claimed water pressure had been lowered.  Most disturbing were reports that fire hydrant fees which are included in local municipal budgets would increase by 300%.  In New Rochelle using a lower number of hydrants to lower costs could result still result in increased costs on reduced safety. 

In the August 23 issue of the Westchester Herald  by Peggy Godfrey

Forest City Residential still holds a Memorandum of Understanding until January 15, 2011 for development in the Echo Bay area of New Rochelle, which includes the New Rochelle Naval Armory Building. During this timeframe,  the Save Our Armory Committee (SOA) has been developing their own plan to save the building.   Ron Tocci, co-chair of the SOA Executive Committee, told members and supporters gathered at the special August 16 SOA meeting, that he and three other SOA executive members met with Forest City Residential in private session last week to try to develop plans to incorporate the Armory with Forest City's plans. Tocci said that Forest City seemed to have "no problem " proceeding with such a plan to save the Armory Building

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  by Peggy Godfrey  (in the August 16 issue of the Westchester Herald)

The ceremony honoring the late New Rochelle City Councilman James Stowe began with introductory remarks by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.  He called the program a "family celebration of the life and works" of this Councilman who passed away suddenly on August 7, 2010.  Many dignitaries attended the ceremony which was planned to allow the people of the community, whose lives were touched by Councilman Stowe, to have an opportunity to talk about their experiences. 

The first person to be called upon was Steve Horton, Executive Director of the  New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.  He recounted that Stowe would fight to do the right thing.  As Chairperson of the New Rochelle Housing Authority Stowe addressed issues at Hartley House, including the need for change in the area.  He called Stowe  "the voice of Black Power in New Rochelle",  further commenting that Stowe "accepted his role as a Black leader."  He said the area was ready for revitalization with a new project which included new housing, a new park, and a five story building.  Horton, who is also a Mount Vernon City Councilman, stated, "Stowe's memory will be memorialized".

Promising to put "smiles" on the faces of New Rochelle residents with a plan to revitalize the New Rochelle Naval Armory Building, former New York State Assemblyman Ron Tocci said this structurally sound building was "waiting to be used". The plan he presented was consistent with the vision and "pride in New Rochelle's rich military heritage."

Using a slide presentation which detailed adaptive reuse of the Armory Building, he felt there would be not only many benefits with "ample space to meet the City's needs", but would also be consistent with green standards, especially since it is already built. Comparing the 56,000 square feet of space in this building to other buildings, he said the Iona College gym had 44,000 square feet and the Westchester County Center had 26,000 square feet. This plan will activate the waterfront for residents. Tocci said that the Save Our Armory Armory group included many community leaders, members of the American Legion Post 8, and Monroe College, among others.

The adaptive reuse of the Armory Building is very attainable, he continued. The building's Main Street location gives the public ready access to the waterfront. The brick used to construct it will not deteriorate.

Does United Water New Rochelle deserve to get a rate increase of 54%? Everyone who spoke at the Public Service Commission hearing before Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein on August 2, 2010 at New Rochelle City Hall did not think so. New York State Senator Jeff Klein was unhappy with the proposed increase as were many residents. Byron Gray, President of Local 273 New Rochelle Firefighters, was disturbed about the threatened decrease in the number of hydrants caused by the increased cost factors and the prospect of laying off 10 to 12 New Rochelle firefighters. New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome expressed concern that the non-profits in the City, e.g., The College of New Rochelle, Iona College, and Sound Shore Medical Center, benefit from the hydrants but do not pay for the service. According to people from various neighborhoods throughout the City, United Water is not supplying a sufficient amount of water pressure.