July 2010

Salient Points Discussed at
Pelham Town Council Meeting

By Stephen E. Lipken

Although the Monday, June 7, 2010 Pelham Town Council meeting was relatively brief, lasting from 7:00 until 7:32 p.m., salient points were discussed, including re-naming Brick Park to Joseph A. Trotta Park.
A cherished advocacy of Pelham resident John Cassone for four years, “interrupted only by the collapse of the Pelham Medical Group (PMG)/ Lordae Realty retaining wall on Fifth Avenue, December 20, 2005,” Trotta Park will be ready by late summer.

Town Supervisor Joseph S. Solimine cautioned that underground utilities must be considered and clay/canvas pipes replaced as part of the construction. Clerk of the Works Ralph Magliulo affirmed Solimine’s concern, stating that sanitary lines under Sixth Avenue homes run all the way down to the park and a heavy 13,000-volt cable is also underneath the sidewalk. Supervisor Solimine suggested hand-excavating the bricks.

To prepare the site, six trees will be removed; 1600 square feet of brick pavers; ten benches, three tables and two planter boxes; total cost $10,000. Solimine distributed a “wish list” totaling $71,985, giving donors the opportunity of having their names placed on a commemorative plaque. Solimine also advocates listing contributor names on one large plaque, rather than individual plaques attached to donations.

The $71,985 reflects an original Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $40,000; plus two $40,000 grants each from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and New York State (NYS) Senator Jeffrey Klein, totaling $120,000. “Since we now estimate the cost to be $71,985, the surplus could be put into a maintenance fund,” Solimine suggested.

Fees vary from $5,000 for tree pruning; installing new concrete curbing, $1,960; Cobble Block Edging, $675; clean existing Catch Basin and resetting existing frame and grate, $1,000; two decorative benches totaling $3,000 as well as two tree grates and two planters at $1500 each. Rock excavation at five Cubic Yards (CY) at $150 totals $750.

Though landscape improvements add up to $5,000, it only costs $500 to furnish and place topsoil and $300 for borrowed fill. Consequently, the varied costs give contributors a choice, depending on what they can afford.

Cassone relayed the request of the late Joseph Trotta’s sister Marian Tobin to have a reception in the Joseph A. Trotta Room in Richard J. Daronco Town House, once the project is completed.

In other Town Business, Councilman William M. O’Connor announced that Receiver of Taxes John Nesi collected $4,375,598.76 in May from State, County and Local taxes.

Councilwoman Rae Szymanski reported that the search was on to replace Head of Pelham Guidance Council Valerie Jablonski. Solimine called for a Proclamation to commend her years of service.

A wooden rocking chair with a plaque commemorating the late Dolores Castaldo, Pelham’s beloved storyteller will be placed in the Town House Guild Room this fall.

Born August 10, 1918, Trotta served five terms as Fire Commissioner; Mayor of North Pelham, 1963-1970; Pelham Town Supervisor 1970-1976; Mayor, Village of Pelham, 1977-1983 and Senior Advocate, 1987-2002 before passing away on February 23, 2006.

 

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