Much activity in the Towns and Villages is on ice, so to speak, but there are a few things to report from the frozen tundra:
New Rochelle: The Snow Emergency for the City of New Rochelle has been lifted. However, alternate side of the street parking restrictions remain suspended for the rest of the week.
Additionally, alternate side of the street parking restrictions will be suspended January 1- March 31, 2011 for those streets and portions of streets subject to winter suspension as noted in the Municipal Code Article X Schedule 312-84. The complete list can be found online at www.newrochelleny.com/DPW .
Cleanup from Sunday’s blizzard will continue throughout the week. Residents can report specific problems and concerns directly to the Department of Public Works Snow Emergency Hotline at 235-4029.
Larchmont: Pamela Tillinghast Dubitsky, a lawyer and Larchmont Public Library trustee since 2008, will take over as Library board chairwoman Jan. 1. She replaces Miriam Curnin, who has served in the position since June 2006.
Dubitsky has lived in Larchmont with her husband, Alex, and their two sons since 2004. As an attorney, she specialized primarily in environmental and commercial law in emerging markets. Welcome, Pamela!
Mamaroneck Village: Both sides of the Board of Trustees are again clashing over whether the village attorney should be a full- or part-time job.
The new Democratic majority wants a review to see which option is more cost-effective. The Village has weathered several lawsuits involving millions of dollars in legal fees.
Democrats favor having a staff attorney who works solely for the village, providing regular counsel and protecting against litigation. This approach, they say, saves money in the long run.
But Republicans contend that a part-timer can do the job just as well, and saves the village hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills.
“It just doesn’t make sense economically” to have a full-time attorney, said GOP Mayor Norm Rosenblum. “
In 2007, fulltime Village lawyer Janet Insardi reportedly made a $130,000 salary and about $40,000 in benefits. But Rosenblum fired her when he was elected in November 2009, and replaced her with Christie Derrico, the wife of a GOP party chair, as part-time village attorney. Derrico reportedly received a $60,000 retainer over the past year, plus about $8,000 for additional work. She stepped down earlier this month to be sworn in as village justice.
Tarrytown lawyer Steve Silverberg is serving as part-time attorney in the meantime.
Mamaroneck High School hopes to announce a new principal by early spring. According to Superintendent Robert Shaps, "During the months of December and January, our Assistant Superintendent Dr. Minotti, and a committee of representatives from the high school community will conduct several rounds of interviews in anticipation of identifying several finalists. Additionally, our aim is to involve a broader group of parents – as well as students and faculty — in the opportunity to meet with the finalists. Therefore, as we move into January, we will organize and publicize a schedule of group meetings and site visits to ensure that everyone who wants to be a part of the process may do so."
Interim principal John Goetz has reportedly not applied for the job.
