Westchester County Infrastructure and Housing Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Infrastructure and Housing (I&H) Committee met jointly with the Budget & Appropriations (B&A) and Public Safety & Veterans (PS&V) Committees on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains, New York. Chair Shanae Williams presided over I&H. The meeting was called to order at 10:15 AM. The I&H Committee approved prior minutes, advanced three bond acts totaling $13,590,000, and received a legislative memo. The I&H portion adjourned at 11:22 AM per the official minutes; the transcript indicates the joint session continued until 12:02 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of May 18, 2026 and May 26, 2026 were approved unanimously by the I&H Committee.

Discussion Items

• Bond Act RB250 – Various County Roads Rehabilitation Program 2026 (2026-264): This bond act authorizes $11,805,000 for design, construction management, and construction on four county roads: Theodore Friend Avenue (CR 54, 0.8 miles), Anderson Hill Road (CR 18, 2.4 miles), Aqueduct Road (CR 124, 1.17 miles), and Long Ridge Road (CR 3, 1.2 miles). Department of Public Works and Transportation representatives Robert Abbamont and Deputy Commissioner Hernane DeAlmeida presented details, including PCI ratings ranging from 51 to 73 and average daily traffic from 6,248 to 13,698 vehicles. Legislators asked about school-zone traffic mitigation and coordination with Con Edison. The item was signed by committee and referred to the Board of Legislators unanimously.
• Bond Act BDA03 – Information Technology 2025-2029 (2026-271): This bond act authorizes $1,235,000 for District Attorney's office IT equipment, including laptop replacements, data storage upgrades, data center towers, and forensic surveillance equipment. District Attorney's office staff Charles Forzano and Jason Carrow confirmed there are no recurring maintenance or licensing costs. The item was signed and referred unanimously.
• Bond Act BLR2F – Labs & Research Equipment Acquisition 2026-2030 (2026-273): This bond act authorizes $550,000 to replace 13 pieces of laboratory equipment, including a BOD analyzer (21 years old), BOD incubators (over 20 years old, requiring banned refrigerants), a real-time PCR system (15-18 years old), and other end-of-life items. Chief Administrator Keith Hoffman explained the procurement and installation timeline of about six months and noted no design or consulting services are needed. Legislators discussed supply chain issues and the condition of existing equipment. The item was signed and referred unanimously.

Receive & File

• Memo of Legislation – Improve Cell Phone Coverage (2026-267): Legislator Anant Nambiar forwarded a memo proposing that the County work with cell tower infrastructure companies to use the latest technology on County-owned properties to improve cell coverage. The I&H Committee received, filed, and approved the memo unanimously.

Additional Joint Session Items (Not on I&H Agenda)

The raw transcript includes other matters handled by the joint committees during the same meeting:

• Bond Act 2026-263 – Surety Bond Litigation: The County Attorney's office discussed hiring the firm Shepard Mullen to compel a surety company (NGM, recently acquired by Nationwide) to honor a performance bond after contractor MBM's bankruptcy. County Attorney's office reported progress in negotiations. The B&A Committee voted to advance.
• Bond Act 2026-266 – Youth Bureau Grant: A no-cost state grant for a seventh year of youth healthy relationships and employment programming. Director of the county youth bureau noted about 105-110 youth served, with 60% female and 40% male, and a 90% classroom completion rate. Legislators, including Alvarado and Barr, expressed strong support. Both B&A and Seniors & Youth advanced the item.
• Bond Act 2026-272 – Putnam County Technical Rescue Partnership: Legislation authorizing a partnership with Putnam County to accept $100,000 in competitive state/federal funding for technical rescue equipment. Department of Emergency Services Commissioner and Deputy Chief presented the program, covering rescue rope, PPE, battery-powered shoring tools, and a transit. The PS&V and B&A Committees advanced it.
• First Quarter Budget Report: Budget Director Larry Snow presented the first quarter forecast. Key points included holding the sales tax forecast flat, healthcare benefit costs rising 9.3% with $4.4 million in prescription savings, bus fare evasion around 40%, and a projected $4.2 million operating surplus for 2025. Legislators discussed bus fare enforcement, healthcare cost drivers, and fund balance levels.

Key Outcomes

• All three I&H bond acts (RB250, BDA03, BLR2F) were signed by committee and referred to the Board of Legislators with unanimous votes.
• The May 18 and May 26 minutes were approved.
• The cell phone coverage memo was received and filed.
• In the joint session, items 2026-263, 2026-266, and 2026-272 were advanced by their respective committees, and the first quarter budget report was received.