Parks and Environment Committee Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Westchester County Board of Legislators held a combined committee meeting on May 18, 2026, covering Parks & Environment, Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and other committees. Chaired by Legislator Erika Pierce (Parks & Environment), the meeting began at 10:00 AM and concluded at 12:47 PM for the Parks agenda, with additional committees continuing until 1:29 PM. All items presented were approved and referred to the full Board. Key discussions included bridge rehabilitation, dam funding, golf course improvements, affordable housing developments, and youth program agreements.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was used; all items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were recorded.

Discussion Items

• Greenwood Road Bridge Temporary Easements (Items 2026-2011 & 2026-2022): Angelo Sgobbo (DPW Director of Design Coordination) and Rachel Noe (Associate County Attorney) presented an environmental resolution and an act to authorize temporary easements from three private property owners for rehabilitation of the Greenwich Road Bridge over the Mianus River in Bedford. A temporary bridge will maintain single-lane alternating traffic. The town of Bedford offered park land to mitigate impacts. Unanimous committee approval.
• Bronx River Parkway Rehabilitation (Items 2026-232 & 2026-233): Discussed in concurrent Budget/Infrastructure committees. The project addresses culverts and a bridge between County Center and Cemetery Road. Bids ranged from $15.6 million (low bidder) to $27.6 million; available funding was $13.1 million, creating a $2.53 million shortfall. Additional design and construction management costs raised total need to $4 million. The bond act removes $5.7 million from a prior combined bond and adds $4 million for a new $9.7 million bond. Construction expected to take 24 months, maintaining two lanes in each direction. Approved.
• HUD Consolidated Plan (Item 2026-203): Commissioner Blanca Lopez and Terry Fleischmann (Director of Housing) presented the 2026 Action Plan, authorizing submission of an urban county application for $5,970,202 in federal grants (CDBG, HOME, ESG) on behalf of 31 municipalities. The plan includes a 30-day public comment period ending May 22, 2026. Projects include sidewalk improvements, playground upgrades, and nonprofit housing activities. Approved.
• Croton-on-Hudson Affordable Homeownership (Items 2026-220, 222, 223, 225): Development of 100 affordable condominium units at 1-3 Croton Point Avenue, transit-oriented near the Croton-Harmon train station. County provides $5.765 million in New Homes Land Acquisition bonds and $6.15 million in Housing Implementation Fund bonds. State AHOP funds ($20 million) subsidize each unit up to $200,000. Sale prices estimated at $325,000 (one-bedroom) and $328,000 (two-bedroom), targeted at first-time homebuyers earning up to 100% AMI but priced at 80% AMI. Affordability covenant for 50 years. Approved.
• Yonkers Affordable Rental Property Conveyance (Item 47 Riverdale Ave): Transfer of 343 affordable rental units (all at or below 60% AMI) from Related Companies to PRC. County extends 50-year affordability covenant starting from sale. The new owner plans extensive rehabilitation including a parking garage. Approved.
• Wampus Pond Dam Design (Items 2026-208, 209, 210): Peter Tartaglia (First Deputy Parks Commissioner) and Robert Lopane (Director of Park Planning) requested $400,000 to finish design (currently at 60%) for rehabilitation of the Wampus Pond dam, built in 1940. The bond act consolidates obligated funds from expired acts. Design expected within one year, construction taking about one year. The county has nine class B and two class C dams. Approved.
• Dunwoodie Golf Course Facility Improvements (Items 2026-211, 215, 217, 218): A $6.3 million capital budget amendment and consolidated bond act of $10,448,803 to renovate maintenance buildings (built 1955), add a 1,000-square-foot staff building, install backflow preventers (RPZs), and add security. Cost escalation and scope changes drove the increase. Approved.
• Pound Ridge Fire Services IMA (Item 2026-227): Agreement with Pound Ridge Fire District to provide fire and rescue services to the northern section of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (outside their district). In lieu of annual $10,000 payment, the county will purchase a $43,000 shed and provide site preparation ($2,000) to pre-position rescue equipment. The five-year IMA is renewable. Approved.
• Litigation Settlement (Item 2026-229): Executive session approved settlement of $400,000 for a claim alleging exposure to biohazardous materials during construction at the New Rochelle wastewater treatment plant.
• Youth Program Intermunicipal Agreements (Items 2026-200, 226, 228): Director of Youth Programs presented three IMAs: (1) Mount Vernon Youth Bureau – Safe Haven (126 youth, academic enrichment), Youth Employment (25 youth, soft skills), and Step Up (at-risk middle school boys); (2) Yonkers Youth Bureau – Sixth Grade Leadership Academy (110 youth, transition to middle school); (3) Village of Terrytown – Summer Camp (150 youth, six weeks). All programs showed measured outcomes (e.g., 90% improvement in soft skills). Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All nine agenda items (plus the litigation settlement) were approved by the respective committees with unanimous votes (all present members voting aye). Motions were made and seconded for each item. The following legislators voted in person or remotely: Erika Pierce, Colin Smith, Anant Nambiar, Nancy Barr, Margaret Cunzio, Judah Holstein, Tyrae Woodson Samuels, Jenn Puja, Jose Alvarado, Shanae Williams, David Tubiolo, and others. Items were referred to the full Board of Legislators for final action. The meeting adjourned at 1:29 PM.