Public Meetings - New Rochelle, New York

The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 28, 2026, celebrating the grand opening of The End Tavern, owned by Gianni Laparacci. The event featured remarks from local officials and the owner, highlighting the venue's role in community entertainment and economic development. Ceremony Remarks - Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, welcomed attendees and praised the venue as "gorgeous, sleek, dynamic, and fun," expressing excitement for the community gathering space. - Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert thanked Gianni Laparacci for choosing New Rochelle a second time (noting his first business on Union Avenue), commended his entrepreneurial spirit, and stated, "Whatever we can do to help ensure you're successful, we will do." - Martha Lopez, City Council representative for Union Avenue, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of economic development and offering support on behalf of the county. - Cameron Stanford, legislative aide to Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements, conveyed the legislator's well wishes. - Gianni Laparacci thanked attendees, describing The End Tavern as "a place where everybody can come, kick back, have a drink, relax, meet new friends, and strike up great conversation." - Carol Borella presented a gift from the Chamber of Commerce, wishing the owner success and humorously advising him to "put your running shoes on" now that he operates two businesses. Ribbon Cutting - The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting, officially opening The End Tavern. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions; the event was a ceremonial celebration of the business opening.

On August 25, 2026, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Home Depot parking lot to welcome Rocco's Italian Sausages and Cheesesteaks as a new Chamber member. The event featured remarks from local officials and the business owners, celebrating the expansion of New Rochelle's food offerings and the family-run establishment. Opening Remarks from the Chamber - Catherine White, Executive Director of the Neurochelle Chamber of Commerce, opened the ceremony, introducing dignitaries and expressing enthusiasm for the new business. Welcome Remarks - Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert thanked the Maltese family for choosing New Rochelle and highlighted the family effort behind the business, noting its benefit to contractors and Home Depot guests. - Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements welcomed the business on behalf of the County Board of Legislators and County Executive's office, praising the convenient parking and the service to shoppers and workers. - City Council Rep Al Tarantino welcomed Rocco's back to New Rochelle (as the owner has family ties), noting the ample parking and catering services as assets. Business Owner Response - Rob Maltese, co-owner with his wife Chrissy, thanked all attendees, friends, and family, emphasizing the family nature of the business and the warm community reception. Presentation and Ribbon Cutting - Carol Barella from the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce presented a gift and wished the owners success. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting led by Catherine White and attendees. Key Outcomes - Formal recognition of Rocco's Italian Sausages and Cheesesteaks as a new member of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. - Ribbon cutting officially opened the business at the Home Depot location in New Rochelle.

On August 14, 2026, New Rochelle Parks Commissioner Vim Parisi led a groundbreaking ceremony for the first comfort station (restroom) at Ward Acres Park since 1960. The event celebrated a milestone in the park's master plan, supported by city officials, state legislators, and the Ward Acres Conservancy. Councilwoman Sarah Kay highlighted the project as part of a series of steady investments to improve accessibility and preserve the park. Ceremony Speeches and Remarks - Parks Commissioner Vim Parisi opened by thanking city departments, including parks maintenance, police, building, city manager, public works, and city engineer, as well as elected officials (Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert, Councilwoman Sarah Kay, Councilman Matt Stern, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, State Senator Natalia Fernandez) and the Ward Acres Conservancy Group. He noted the historic nature of the project as the first restroom in the park since 1960. - Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert echoed thanks and highlighted the partnership across departments and the conservancy, calling it a "true community effort" that will expand access to the park. - City Manager Will Melendez emphasized years of public engagement leading to this point, thanking parks and engineering staff, Deputy City Manager Todd Costaldo, and Councilwoman Sarah Kay for her advocacy and vision. - Councilwoman Sarah Kay described the groundbreaking as about more than a restroom: it represents preserving Ward Acres as a hidden treasure and making it more welcoming. She listed previous investments: signage, ADA pathways, crosswalk, bridge, trail maintenance, invasive removal, tree nursery, restored meadow, and now the comfort station. She thanked city staff, mayor, council colleagues, state and federal partners, conservancy, community garden, and residents. She noted that a little girl on a school visit commented "I feel like we're on a hike" because she had never been on one before, illustrating the park's importance. - Councilman Matt Stern was also present and acknowledged. Key Outcomes - The groundbreaking ceremony officially commenced construction of the comfort station, which will include ADA pathways and restrooms, enhancing the park experience for families, school groups, and community events. - The project is part of a multi-year master plan funded through city investment and a New York State trails grant. - No votes or formal decisions were taken; the event was ceremonial with expressions of gratitude and commitment to ongoing park improvements.

The regular meeting of the City of Neurishell Civilian Complaint Review Board was called to order at 6:45 PM on August 13, 2026, in Conference Room B1 at New Rochelle City Hall. Co-chair Damon Maher presided, with co-chair Renee Barron and members Julie Mercer, Christian Walker, Donna O'Keefe, Michael Cammer, and Fabiola Sibrito Bercenio present. Staff in attendance included Deputy City Manager Todd Costaldo and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jeffrey Bream. The board addressed training status, proposed bylaws, committee structures, public comment procedures, and heard public testimony. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes of the July 8, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (no opposition or abstentions). - Agenda Amendment: The board unanimously approved a motion to adjourn by 6:30 PM, regardless of agenda completion, to allow time for a follow-up meeting with the Internal Affairs lieutenant. Public Comments & Testimony - Lisa Burton (357 Center Avenue) thanked the board for its formation and urged members to seek input from individuals negatively impacted by policing, as well as from social workers and organizations such as Choice. She cautioned that community relationships and unconscious bias could affect the board’s objectivity, emphasizing that incidents in one part of town could happen elsewhere and that benefit of the doubt is not equally afforded. Discussion Items - Training Status: Co-chair Damon Maher reported that all board members have completed the Citizens Police Academy, NACOL training, Monroe College training, and COOG (Committee on Open Government) training. A meeting with the Internal Affairs lieutenant is scheduled immediately after this meeting to review complaint referral processes, and a future training session with labor counsel on collective bargaining agreements is being arranged. - Proposed Bylaws: The board reviewed a redlined draft of bylaws provided by corporation counsel. Julie Mercer moved to provide corporation counsel with a memo outlining the board’s concerns and goals, along with the redlined draft, and allow corporation counsel to decide whether to draft from scratch or work from the redline. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Members discussed the need to include topics such as media communications, speaker/training vetting, and committee structures as working groups rather than formal committees. - Working Groups vs. Committees: Members debated the use of working groups (advisory, flexible under open meetings law) versus committees. Todd Costaldo advised against delegating core functions like complaint review to a subgroup, as it could undermine the board’s purpose. It was agreed that working groups could handle bylaws or rules changes, but all members should review every complaint. - Complaint Review Logistics: Corporation counsel clarified that complaint review meetings are private (not open to the public) and will be held monthly with IA. Members may schedule additional individual review times with IA, but notes must remain confidential and retained by IA. Four public meetings per year are required. - Co-Chair Role: The board discussed Article 4 of the proposed bylaws regarding co-chair duties. The redline suggests co-chairs jointly serve as presiding officers, with disagreements resolved by board majority vote. Members expressed preference for flexibility, allowing the co-chairs to decide who presides each meeting, and agreed that the presiding co-chair is a facilitator, not a unilateral decision-maker. - Public Comment Procedures: Members supported allowing public comment early in the agenda (before executive session) with a flexible time limit (e.g., 3 minutes per speaker, total not strictly 30 minutes). The chair may ask follow-up questions and allow speakers additional time to respond. Speakers are expected to stay on topic related to the board’s oversight. Key Outcomes - Motion on Bylaws: Passed unanimously – the board will send a memo to corporation counsel with concerns, goals, and the redlined draft, requesting a revised draft within approximately three weeks. - Next Meeting: The next regular meeting date is tentatively set for the second Wednesday of September (September 9) at 5:30 PM, but will be confirmed via digital poll to ensure member availability. The meeting must be an open meeting if discussing bylaws and procedures, requiring notice at least seven days prior. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time after the public comment period and discussion.

The meeting took place on August 10, 2026, at 15:45 UTC. However, no agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no substantive summary can be generated, and no decisions, discussions, or public comments are available for reporting.

On August 8, 2026, at 9:45 AM, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Lincoln Park Conservancy History and Culture Center in downtown New Rochelle. The event featured remarks from elected officials, city staff, and the center's founders, Linda Tarrant Reed and Stuart Reed, celebrating the preservation of local Black history and the community's investment in cultural heritage. Ceremonial Remarks - Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, opened the event, noting that plans for the center began pre-COVID and were supported by multiple grants, fundraising, and the city's retail tenant improvement fund. - New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins highlighted the $50,000 state grant she secured for the project and emphasized the importance of telling the story of desegregation in New Rochelle, especially in current times where history is being erased. - Senator Shelley Mayer praised the center as an emblem of community effort and a commitment to remembering the history of segregation. - Westchester County Legislators Terry Clements and Judah Holstein thanked the Reeds for their years of work preserving and remembering community history. - Mayor Yudira Ramos Herbert shared her personal connection to the Reeds' work, noting that the center's location is subsidized by community benefit bonuses from development and a retail tenant improvement grant. She expressed pride in the city's investment in small businesses and historical institutions. - Ann Gold, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, welcomed the permanent cultural and historical element to downtown. - Linda Tarrant Reed thanked the city, Senator Stewart-Cousins, Con Edison, and others for support. She described the journey from a dream to a reality, including the second recipient of the city's community benefit program. - Stuart Reed emphasized the importance of technology in documenting history, referencing his 50-year career in community media and the center's archive facility (TLPC Archives.com) where content will be preserved online and on a kiosk. - The Chamber of Commerce presented a certificate to the Reeds. Key Outcomes - The Lincoln Park Conservancy History and Culture Center officially opened to the public, providing a permanent space for preserving and sharing the history of New Rochelle's African American community, with a focus on desegregation, culture, and gardens. - The center is located in downtown New Rochelle, funded in part by a $50,000 state grant, the city's retail tenant improvement fund, and community benefit program contributions. It will also host an archive facility accessible online and via an on-site kiosk.

On August 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM, the City of New Rochelle held a dedication ceremony at Dino Frio Park to honor Lou and Sandy Monteleone for their $400,000 donation to renovate the park. The event celebrated the new playground, including a zip line, and recognized the community efforts that made the project possible. The ceremony featured remarks from Parks Commissioner Vin Parisi, Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert, Councilman Al Tarantino, and donor Lou Monteleone, who spoke about the importance of giving back to the community. Consent Calendar - No routine approvals or unanimous actions were discussed; the meeting was exclusively a dedication ceremony. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments or testimony from community members were made; only invited speakers addressed the audience. Discussion Items - Parks Commissioner Vin Parisi opened the ceremony, thanking city departments (Buildings, Fire, DPW, Police), the youth bureau, recreation staff, and the Jefferson Elementary School Summer Daycamp for attending. He highlighted the rarity of a private donation of this size in local government and praised the Monteleone family's generosity. - Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert presented a proclamation to Lou and Sandy Monteleone, acknowledging their $400,000 contribution and stating that their gift provides a safe, joyful space for children's play, creating lasting memories and community benefit. - Councilman Al Tarantino recounted how the donation came about: he and Lou Monteleone attended high school together (class of 1969). Monteleone initially wanted to fund a small playground, but after meeting with Parks Commissioner Parisi and Deputy Commissioner Lauren O'Connor, the vision grew. Tarantino expressed surprise at the final scope and challenged other community members to consider similar contributions. - Lou Monteleone shared his personal history with New Rochelle, moving there in 1963 and appreciating its friendliness and diversity. He described efforts to donate to New York City parks that were rejected, then redirected to New Rochelle through Councilman Tarantino. After multiple meetings with the parks department, the plan expanded to include a zip line at Lauren O'Connor's suggestion. Monteleone urged others to give back in any form, whether money, time, or mentorship. Key Outcomes - The Monteleone family's $400,000 donation was formally recognized and celebrated, resulting in the renovated Dino Frio Park playground, including a zip line. The park is named in honor of Ileana (a family member). No formal votes or decisions were made; the event was a ceremonial dedication.

The New Rochelle Planning Board met on July 28, 2026, with a quorum of four members. The meeting addressed six site plan and subdivision applications, all of which received unanimous approval, and two extension requests for previously approved applications. No members of the public offered comments during the hearing. Discussion Items - PB 15-2026 & PB 16-2026 – 10 and 15 Shore Club Drive (Subdivision Approvals): Robert Stanziali, architect for the applicant, presented a proposal to reapportion two existing lots by transferring approximately 1,049 square feet from 15 Shore Club Drive (vacant) to 10 Shore Club Drive (with a single-family dwelling). The owner, Joseph Spezio, seeks additional impervious area for his existing home while leaving the donor lot still buildable. The application had previously expired due to delays in obtaining approvals from Westchester County and private water service entities. The board approved both applications with unanimous votes for lead agency, negative declaration, and subdivision approval. - PB 3-2026 – 3 The Boulevard (Place of Worship Conversion): Elvis Moran of Bedalia Engineering represented the applicant proposing to convert a non-conforming office building into a place of worship. The revised plan includes 43 parking spaces (41 for patrons, 2 for staff) with a valet layout incorporating a queue aisle per board recommendations. Landscaping with green aberratives along the left side provides privacy. Pastor Clayton Mattis confirmed that overflow parking is arranged with a lot two blocks away. Conditions included installing fire sprinklers and smoke detectors and applying for a valet parking special permit. The board approved unanimously. - PB 10-2026 – 109 Fourth Street (Place of Worship Conversion): Aldo Vinigliano presented for Grace Tabernacle Church, which purchased the former Portuguese Social Club. The building occupies the entire site; improvements include a handicap ramp and an automatic sprinkler system for the A3 occupancy. Parking was addressed via a zoning board variance due to nearby congregation members offering driveway parking. The board approved with two conditions (DPW permits and sprinkler system). - PB 11-2026 – 55 Clinton Place (Golf Lounge 18 Interior Build-Out): Architect Mark Blair presented a plan for an indoor simulated golf facility with 11 simulators, a bar, and outdoor dining. The applicant, Ajit, confirmed parking validation with the building's valet system for 28 dedicated spaces. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. summer (outdoor service after 11 a.m.), extended winter hours on weekends. Board members praised the experiential use for the downtown Vanguard overlay district. Conditions addressed DPW permits for signage and fire safety plans. Unanimous approval. - PB 12-2026 – 88 Echo Avenue (Two-Family Conversion): Elvis Moran returned for the applicant to convert a one-family dwelling into a two-family. Plans include extending the curb cut for an enlarged detached garage, providing five parking spaces (two per unit plus one), and adding a rear bedroom extension and side porch. Park department comments had been addressed regarding egress windows. A condition was added requiring city staff approval for the curb cut extension due to the neighborhood's resident parking permit system. Unanimous approval. - PB 14-2026 – 11 Plain Avenue (WISE Clubhouse – Youth Training Facility): Evan List, co-founder/CEO of Westchester Youth Sports Empowerment (WISE), and architect Tom Haynes presented a comprehensive plan to convert a former industrial building into a nonprofit youth baseball training facility. The project merges two lots (Lot 4 and Lot 65) and increases parking from 6 to 18 spaces. The facility will feature six batting cages, a strength/conditioning area, a rooftop training field (up to 22 occupants), and a parent lounge. Traffic and parking management includes staggered drop-offs, carpooling, and overflow at City Park. A post-occupancy traffic study (one year after CO) was added as a condition. The board expressed strong support for the community-oriented mission and approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - All six site plan/subdivision applications were approved with specific conditions as noted above. - Extension request PB 7-2025 (roof-mounted solar panels at 479 Fifth Avenue) was granted. - Extension request PB 15-2025 (two-family dwelling at 22 Rosedale Avenue) was granted. - One agenda item (administrative amendment for 18 Shady Glen Court) was adjourned to the September meeting. - No public comments were made; the public hearing portion was closed before moving to referral items.

On July 24, 2026, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted a ceremonial grand opening for the second location of The Gentleman's Lab, a men's grooming business, on North Avenue in the Wykagyl neighborhood. The event featured remarks from city officials, chamber representatives, and the business owners, celebrating the expansion of a local minority-owned enterprise. Ceremony Highlights - Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, opened the ceremony, welcoming a large crowd and emphasizing the city's support for expanding businesses. She introduced elected officials and business owners. - Owners Hugo Velasquez, James, Eddie, and Chris Coste were recognized as the founders of The Gentleman's Lab and a separate construction company. Key Speakers and Remarks - Mayor Yadiro Ramos Herbert congratulated the owners, noting that Hugo Velasquez had envisioned owning a construction company since a high school project. The mayor praised their investment in New Rochelle, their personal touch with customers, and expressed gratitude for their continued commitment to the city. - City Councilmember Martha Lopez, who also serves as Director of the Minority Women on Business Development Program for Westchester County, expressed pride in the business choosing New Rochelle and jokingly requested that their next location be in her district (District 1). - Hugo Velasquez thanked attendees, reflecting on eight years of collaborations and the fulfillment of a high school vision. He became emotional while thanking his business partner James. - James (co-owner) thanked Chris and Eddie, stating that without them the second location would not exist. Ribbon Cutting - Pete Williamson, representing the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially welcome The Gentleman's Lab to the north end of New Rochelle, expressing expectations for great success.