South East Consortium for Special Services
Authorized at Village Board Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Thomas Murphy called the Monday, March 13th Board of Trustees meeting to order.
Trustee Leilani Yizar-Reid introduced Dave Thomas, who gave a presentation on the Rye African American Cemetery (RAAC). According to Thomas, RAAC, located just behind the Greenwood Union Cemetery was founded on June 27,1860 by Underhill and Elizabeth Halstead, a wealthy Quaker family in Rye, “specifically designated for Rye Black residents.
“There are 281 estimated burials, the average age 51 years; forty children under the age of 12 are interred there, along with 16 Civil War veterans, one Spanish-American War veteran, five World War I veterans and two World War II veterans. The most common cause of death was lung disease. Many African Americans buried there belonged to Society of Redeemers, a beneficial society that provided life insurance, childcare, retirement insurance and death benefits.”
Thomas mentioned Ida Greaves, a trained nurse who came from Barbados on October 28, 1918 to nurse victims of the pandemic. Greaves succumbed to it and died on January 26, 1919 in Larchmont. She lies in an unmarked grave.
He noted that the founder of Barry Avenue A.M.E. Church is buried there, as well as parishioners from St. Frances A.M.E. Zion Church in Port Chester.
Former Tree Committee member Gail Koller addressed the Board, praising Village Manager Jerry Barberio for his comprehensive municipal arbor program, implementing tree law enforcement mechanisms, plus establishing relationships with Metro North and ConEd regarding longstanding/new landscaping issues affecting local neighborhoods.
A Resolution authorized an agreement with South East Consortium for Special Services.
“All communities are obligated to provide recreational opportunities for people with disabilities,” Murphy explained. “Bronxville, Larchmont, Eastchester, Harrison, Pelham, Port Chester, Rye Brook, Town of Mamaroneck and Tuckahoe formed the South East Consortium to give better service to disabled people for taxpayers than if each had to do it individually. Cost to Village: $6,419.
Then Sewer Rent Fees were set, based on water usage, rather than Property Taxes.