COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1997

2 P.M.

PRESENT: Co-Chair: Wishnie. Members: Carsky, Darcy, Delfino, Oros, Latimer. Staff: Don Sandford, Deputy Clerk-BOL; Robert Abbamont-DPW; George Hosey, CBAC; Emilia Vita, Secretary.

ALSO PRESENT: Dolph Rotfeld, Rotfeld Engineering; Dan Donahue, Deputy Commissioner-DEF; Lois Brechner, Executive Director-Work-Link; Alex Mueller.

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Legislator Wishnie.

Legislator Wishnie brought note to an item filed under the Peekskill Sewer District from the Town of Yorktown. Supervisor Cooper, at the last meeting, stated her concerns with the status of her request for expansion of certain areas in the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District. Under consent decree, the Town is ordered to provide proper wastewater disposal. Mr. Wishnie entertained a motion to forward this request to the Administration for the necessary legislation; moved by Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Darcy; all agreed none opposed.

ITEM A: Proposed Legislation to add certain lands to the PSSD: The proposed Act requests boundaries of this district are requested to be changed to include additional territory within the Town of Somers that is not presently included in any sewer district, was given a brief background explanation by Dolph Rotfeld of Rotfeld Engineering.

Legislator Wishnie explained that this is similar to other requests made from other districts in the same area. This Act will also eliminate the need to construct a local plant that would discharge into Plum Brook, which is included in the New York City Watershed, which discharges into the Croton Reservoir. This action will protect the drinking water supply for New York City residents as well as those in Westchester.

Mr. Rotfeld gave a brief history of the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District in the are of Somers, consisting of two sub divisions - The Meadows and Stephen’s Green. The area surrounds south of Putnam, west at Lincolndale, east at Baldwin Place and north of Shenorock. The population is 500 with 192 single family houses.

Mr. Rotfeld explained the sewer lines that will be installed will prevent the need for land disturbance and larger pipes, the are has very little space to build septic. The Peekskill plant has more than enough capacity to handle the anticipated flow and any additional flow should future connections be made. The Environmental Impact Statement is completed and the only downside will be to the developer. Mr. Rotfeld said this will not cause significant change in the tax rate of the district, but will result in a minimal lower rate of tax.

Legislator Wishnie said with the pump station eliminated in Yorktown, the hook up around Lake Osceola into Lee Blvd. And Route 6 is very well supported by the Town of Yorktown.

Legislator Oros has no problem, but would like to make certain that those persons coming out of the district are out before anything is approved and everyone is properly compensated accordingly. He said he is pending petitions from the Town of Yorktown that will request removal of Cortlandt and Peekskill out of the Peekskill plant. He will then forward to this committee for the proper disposition.

Co-Chair Wishnie asked for a motion to sign out for the sole purpose of holding a Public Hearing on Monday, March 10, 1997, at 7 p.m. All agreed, none opposed, on the motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Carsky

ITEM E: Work-Line Internship: Lois Brechner, Executive Director of the program gave a brief background of the program, which connects with the Yonkers Rehab Center. The center tries to help people with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, mild retardation or emotionally handicapped. Those enrolled in the program are taught skills enabling them to join the competitive work force. Ms. Brechner is looking for the opportunity to find on-site work places to explore what skills they are capable of and what type of work phase. She has been in touch with the Personnel Officer and the Office of the Disabled.

Legislator Delfino asked if there were any other companies asked to run this program, Ms. Brechner said, she has been in touch with agencies such as Tambrands, NYNEX and PepsiCo to adopt this internship program.

After a brief discussion, Legislator Wishnie thanked Ms. Brechner for her time and information and will consider involvement of the Board once this Committee explores more information from the County Executive.

Hawthorne Manhole: Legislator Wishnie asked Dan Donahue to entertain the possibility of automation at the manhole as per a letter of a constituent.

Mr. Donahue said her has been in touch several times with the same constituent and looked into the reduced costs to automate at the manhole. To date, it is very difficult to "un-man" the facility, due to several issues. There is a need for somebody to be at the facility: 1) to check the trucks and tickets, making sure they are not forged; 2) clean the areas, and 3) testing. He mentioned that personnel has already been reduced to two staff members, reducing that budget from $170,000 to $78,000. He mentioned there is a video camera monitoring the facility at all times that looks down into the dumping and only the supervisor has access to the camera and a lighted system in place.

Mr. Wishnie asked for a formal written response to his constituent from Mr. Donahue in regard to his suggestions.

Item D: Town of New Castle’s request to connect the Friedman Rehabilitation Institute for Children into its sanitary waste system to the Ossining Sanitary Sewer District. Dan Donahue has been advised to review this matter. With all members in agreement, Legislator Wishnie will forward this correspondence to the County Executive, with approval of this Committee, to move forward and draft the necessary legislation enabling to grant the request of the Town. All agree, non opposed, moved by Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Delfino.

With other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Darcy.