West Nile Virus Prevention Efforts Begin
Posted by Westchester.com
Saturday, 03 May 2008
April showers may bring May flowers, along with ideal
breeding sites for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile
Virus. That’s why the Westchester County Department of
Health will on Monday begin applying larvicide to catch
basins throughout the County and is reminding residents
to eliminate standing water from around their properties
to keep mosquitoes away.
“The combined efforts of residents and county government
have succeeded over the past few years in reducing the
mosquito population, which has eliminated the need to
spray pesticides and resulted in few human cases of West
Nile Virus,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “To keep
mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus from breeding in
Westchester, residents and business owners must do their
part, too.’’
Large areas of standing water that cannot easily be
removed should be reported to the Health Department by
calling (914) 813-5000 or by logging onto
www.westchestergov.com/health and completing a form.
“I’m sure that most residents will be surprised to learn
that the majority of those infected with West Nile Virus
likely contracted the illness right in their own
backyards,’’ said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of
Health. “Discarded tires, unchlorinated swimming pools,
outdoor pottery, sand pails and birdbaths are popular
breeding sites for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile
Virus. That’s why it is so important that everyone
survey your property routinely and dump out standing
water from these and other containers throughout the
spring and summer.’’
VILLAGE APPLIES TO N.Y.S. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION FOR PERMISSION TO APPLY PESTICIDE TO AREA
OF SHELDRAKE RIVER BEHIND HARVEST DRIVE HOMES
Last December, your association co-presidents learned
that the Village had requested permission from N.Y.S.
Department of Environmental Conservation to apply a
known carcinogen and mutagen, which can harm plants,
animals and humans, called glysophate to the banks of
the Sheldrake River tributary (brook)in order to get
rid of Japanese knotweed and phragmites, which are
not native to this area. We have protested against the
application on the grounds that there are safer organic
methods of getting rid of these plants, which don't harm
animals or humans. We are still waiting for a ruling.
VILLAGE CONSIDERING ADOPTING STIFFER TREE ORDINANCE
Mayor Noreen Fisher has provided all neighborhood
association presidents with a draft tree ordinance
prepared by Trustee Ken Rilander. The draft includes
portions of existing local law as well as additions
from other municipalities, which he proposes should
be modified for use here. If you are interested in
reading a copy of the 13 page WORD document, e-mail
us by using the button on this website and put "trees"
in the subject line.
FAYETTE ROAD GAS EXPLOSION: VILLAGE COMMUNICATIONS NEED
IMPROVEMENT
Local citizens who tried to find out information on
the local cable TV and radio stations were unable
to get any, at least initially. News 12 and others
did have a news headline crawl. Your co-presidents
and SNAP members have requested that the Village come
up with a method of notifying local residents in case
of emergency situations. There was alot of confusion
and worry among residents, who were unsure of the safety
of their loved ones, pets and their homes.
SVAC HAS MOVED
The ambulance corps move to their new location
was spurred by physical problems at their old
station. If you haven't contributed to their
fundraising campaign, just remind yourself how
quickly these dedicated people turn out in cases
of emergency, like the Fayette Road home explosion.
OLD SVAC BUILDING FOR SALE
The Village is in the midst of opening bids and letting
a contract for the purchase of the old SVAC building.
Proposals calling for retaining the exterior, restoring
the former front area, and creating offices are among
the ideas being considered.
ZONING PROPOSALS FOR HEATHCOTE TAVERN PROPERTY
Fred S. Fish, the developer who wants to construct
age-restricted senior housing at 5 Corners has now
come to the Village Planning Board with a second
proposal for the Heathcote Tavern property. Previous
plans were presented to neighborhood groups, most
notably WQRA and East Heathcote, which will be
monitoring these proposals very carefully.
CELL TOWERS IN WEST QUAKER RIDGE AREA
Crown-Castle will begin to construct a 120 foot cell
tower near the northbound entrance to the Hutchinson
River Parkway, just north of the overpass on Mamaroneck
Road. Construction begins this summer and should be done
by late fall. WQRA worked with New York State DOT,as
well as Westchester County and Village officials. In
addition to the Mamaroneck Road tower, Crown-Castle's
officials notified the Village to expect another cell
tower construction document for a Weaver Street site.
CARTHAGE LANE PARKING WOES
Residents of Carthage Lane have reported that the
employees of Lopane Nursery/Simply the Best on Weaver
Street have been parking their cars on Carthage Lane,
causing blockages, unsafe conditions for children at
play and buses attempting to enter and exit the street.
WQRA is working with a coalition of residents, village
officials and others to try to find a soltution to this
problem. Local streets are open to the public. It might
become necessary to seek one side of the street parking
restrictions or other measures to resolve the dispute.
PROPERTY OWNERS MUST ARRANGE STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL
Unless the tree branches and debris lying next to
Village streets is within its right of way, you,
the homeowner, are responsible for cutting the
branches into bundles that meet Village requirements
for removal. Small debris must be put into paper
recyclable bags. Any questions, visit the Village
website or call the Public Works Department.
KEEP LEAVES OFF STREETS AND REMOVE THEM FROM DRAINS
It is against Village law for residents or their
gardeners to place leaves in the Village streets.
They are hazardous for drivers, clog the storm drains
and make snow removal a bigger task. Village Sanitation
trucks vacuum each street every 15 days to remove the
leaves.
KEEP HYDRANTS CLEAR
If there is a fire hydrant on your property, please
keep it clear of leaves, brush or snow. If firefighters
need the hydrant, the delays could prove deadly to you
or a neighbor.
HOUSE NUMBERS
With dark days and nights, visibility is limited.
Make sure your house number is at least 3 inches tall
and easily viewed from the street. Police, firefighters
and medics, as well as visitors need to be able to see
the numbers.
MAIL DELIVERY PROBLEMS
{Note: These problems have already been reported to the
postmaster at Quaker Ridge branch.] If you receive any
mail that doesn't belong to someone in your home,
PLEASE put it back into your mailbox for the mail
carrier to re-deliver it. Some neighbors have lost
valuable mail that they were expecting to receive.
Remember: Bulky Trash and Paper Recyclables MAY NOT
be placed at the curb more than one day BEFORE
scheduled collections!
Code of the Village of Scarsdale-Placement and
Collection Procedures. Sub-section 179-4
All material intended for collection by the Sanitation
Division of the Department of Public Works shall be
placed where it will be readily accessible for
collection as follows:
E. No material shall be placed at the street for
collection prior to the day preceding the scheduled
collection except yard organics.
WEST QUAKER RIDGE TRUSTEE LIAISON
Dan Hochvert, Village Trustee,is our liaison to
the Village Board. He has been invited to and attends
many WQRA meetings, where he provides residents with
updates on Village issues. Attending S.N.A.P. meetings,
he sees our issues within a Village-wide perspective.
Please call us if you think there is a problem that
we can help resolve. We welcome your ideas and input.
Call Janet 723-9096 or e-mail wqra@scarsdalenet.com
The 2008-2009 nominating committee will be appointed
at the next association meeting, set for Monday, May 5.
If you have any suggestions for nominees or wish to
volunteer yourself, please call Janet Bell,723-9096.
Co-President Linda Lieberman is ending her first term
as Vice-Chairman,Confederation of Scarsdale Neighborhood
Association Presidents(known as SNAP)2008 elections
and installation will occur in mid-June, 2008.
We welcome all new neighbors (renters or buyers) who
have moved to West Quaker Ridge to join West Quaker
Ridge Association. A family membership is $20.00 per
year. Please send your name(s), address, telephone
number with a check made out to "West Quaker Ridge
Association" to West Quaker Ridge Neighborhood
Association, P.O. Box 303H,Scarsdale, NY 10583. Annual
dues must be paid in order to vote at WQRA meetings.
The West Quaker Ridge Neighborhood Association covers
an area bounded by Mamaroneck Road on the north,
Weaver Street on the south, Crossway on the west,
and the Hutchinson River Parkway on the east. There are
approximately 325 residences in the area served by the
Association. Some issues of concern to local residents
include: cell tower construction on Mamaroneck Road; the
Weaver Street easement/ NYS DOT construction project; as
well as zoning, leaf composting, and other issues. The
Association provides, for a fee, bus transportation to
Scarsdale Middle School and Quaker Ridge Elementary
School.
Co-Presidents: Janet Bell, 2 Penn Blvd, 723-9096
and Linda Lieberman, 722-0037.
1st Vice President- Sachi Sachidanand.
2nd Vice President- Robert Glantz.
Recording Secretary- Ellen Wynn.
Corresponding Secretary- Alia Tabib.
Treasurer- Marc Yaseen.
Board Members 2006-2008: Maralyn Abada,Arnold Rady,
and Audrey Steuer.
Continuing Board Members 20054-2007:Dom Castiello,
Alan Garfunkel, and Eva Kahn.
Webmistress: Linda Lieberman 722-0037
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