Affordable Housing and Other Steps Forward
Dear Friends,
At the April 24th Board of Trustees meeting, there were three significant and notable actions taken by the Board of Trustees. The Village Board approved a budget under the tax cap raising property taxes less then 2%. This was accomplished even though costs that the Village has no control over, namely pension and healthcare, rose in excess of a million dollars. We did this while providing more assistance for flood victims, more money to provide scholarships for day camp children, and increased funding for the Community Counseling Center. I commend the Board and the staff for their hard work.
The Board also voted to make the first installment on making the Library solvent and ensuring that it remains open while they are working diligently to sort out their finances and restore confidence among the residents.
Yet, the most far reaching and important accomplishment last night was the approval of a Zoning change that would allow the building of an ALL affordable housing project at the site of the Hunter parking lot on Prospect Ave. There are many more steps in the process before this project come to fruition but last night was a large first step.
Affordable housing (out of the flood zone) is desperately needed to keep the character and diversity of Mamaroneck intact. We need housing where young folks starting out can live. Where senior citizens can reside and stay in the community they helped build. Where the working families of municipal workers, mechanics, shop workers and other essential workers can live and raise their children in decent housing and have a chance at a better life.
I know well that all progress is initially met with opposition. But I am confident that the new Board of Trustees, along with the staff, is up to any challenge. The days of procrastination, obfuscation and needless delay are behind us. We will now work on solving problems that have plagued our community for decades.
Respectfully,
Tom Murphy
Mayor, Village of Mamaroneck
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