Supervisor Eney Expresses Concern Regarding Census Re-Districting Changes

By Stephen E. Lipken

Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney opened the Wednesday, January 19th Mamaroneck Town Board Meeting, expressing deep concern regarding re-Districting due to the 2020 Census.

“After every United States Census, which happens every 10 years, the Congressional Map will be redrawn to reflect the change in population,” Eney said. “The problem is that the current proposed Congressional Map splits both the Village of Mamaroneck and Town of Mamaroneck  into two Congressional Districts.  

“Larchmont and a part of Mamaroneck would be in a District that includes the Northeast Bronx and part of Queens. Also, that District would be split from the other Sound Shore communities.

This is going to dilute our voices and make it harder to get attention to issues that are specific to our community, like floods and makes it more difficult for our local officials to interface with the Federal Government.

“It also creates confusion among the residents, who are not sure which District that they live in.  The Sound Shore is split in half and that makes it really difficult to advocate for regional issues like flooding and Long Island Sound.  The proposed map is available on https://www.nyirc.gov.  Assemblyman Steve Otis and NYS Senator Shelley Mayer are strenuously advocating for us. Contact Steve at otisS@nyassembly.gov; Mayer at smayer@nysenate.gov.”

At the Work Session, Town Engineer Robert Wasp discussed working with Mamaroneck  Village’s Counsel, preparing the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for Waverly Avenue Bridge  project over the Sheldrake River that will incorporate a new sidewalk. “The D.O.T. informed us that bridge maintenance does not cover sidewalks,” Wasp noted. “We need a separate IMA to address this. Upon completion, the Town and Village will be responsible for maintenance of the adjacent sidewalk.

“The detour will be on Fenimore Avenue down to White Plains Road. Construction will be done in 9 to 10 months.  We want to make sure that our Board and Village are comfortable with plans, with D.O.T’s blessing before we authorize this,” Wasp concluded.