PRESENT: Env. Chair: Kaplowitz. Members: LaMotte, Maisano, and Pinto. PW Chair: Pinto. Members: Abinanti, Maisano, and Ryan. Legislators: Bronz, Latimer, and Mosiello. Staff: Chan, Dodds, Hoch, Schecter, and Vita.

GUESTS: Metro North Representatives: Geneive Fueinlichter, Executive Vice President; Bob Rubenfeld; Donna Evans Director of Corp and Media Relations, Howard Permut, Vice President of Planning and Development.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Anthony Landi, P.E., Commissioner of Public Works; Joe Stout, Deputy Commissioner of Parks; Maureen Morgan, FCWC; Bob Buror, Concerned Citizen/College Student; Marion Levine, Assistant to City Council Majority Leader Burrows; Cheryl Murray, Governor’s Office; William Randolph, County Executive’s office; Kevin Costas; Albert Antaki, Mt. Pleasant resident; Rosalie Menegan, Councilwomen-Town of Somers; Jerry Faiella, Town of New Castle Administrator; Tom Herzog, Town of Lewisboro Supervisor.

Chair Kaplowitz called the meeting to order at 3:10 P.M. He welcomed representatives from Metro-North and all other guests in the audience and thanked Barbara Dodd for putting this meeting together.

Board Chairman Latimer made introductions of both committee members and officials present and made opening comments. He gave an overview of the goals of the Board and how he would like to move forward working with Metro North as partners to reach goals that are intertwined between the two entities.

The following issues of concern were discussed:

Presently the Supervisor is moving in the right direction as far as parking spaces. Metro North inquired from the Transportation Commission more buses can be transported in order to utilize parking spaces and alleviate blocking parking spaces in the lot.

Metro North said they are in the process of working with the County Bee-Line to improve access for parking at the train stations. They have also proposed to provide a ferry system to alleviate crowding.

Mr. Rubenfeld said over the past five years, parking has been a serious problem at Goldens Bridge for approximately 1 mile to a half mile around Reservoir Road. A new lot is currently proposed, but it still has inadequate spaces and the Town has agreed to provide additional space and add another truck route along the road.

Mrs. LaMotte asked about the old freight line in the area and can it be activated. Mr. Rubenfeld said in light of the Clean Air Act, Conrail abandoned rights to that line as of 1995, and the MTA does not provide or operate freight equipment to take over.

Mr. Kaplowitz would like encourage selling bus services in order to get cars off the road. Mr. Rubenfeld said in some areas taking buses to the station work, other areas it does not, people like to drive their own car. Metro North is conducting a survey to look where people are willing to take a bus and organize such a service.

Mr. Ryan said there has been an increasing demand from North Castle residents for standard parking, improving access and had several suggestions some have suggested a parking structure above the tracks. Mr. Rubenfeld said this station demands a number of services and attracts numerous people from a broad area (NYC, North White Plains, North Castle, etc.) Mr. Rubenfeld will take the parking structure into consideration and will sit down with Mr. Ryan on what can be done.

Mr. Pinto mentioned the opportunity for such a survey in his district and mentioned he will be conducting a neighborhood meeting with Commissioner Church and invited Mr. Rubenfeld to attend and discuss the possibility of bus services to the station. Mr. Pinto inquired of the disrepair of the two stations, such as the boarded up window pane at Crestwood and the trash debris in both stations and who is responsible for maintenance.

Mr. Rubenfeld said Metro North has done a number of steps to improve services and capital improvements have been reviewed of what has to be done. He mentioned the platforms on the Hudson Lines are in need of repair as well heated shelters are under review. He said they have looked into new ways to keep the stations clean and efforts to prevent graffiti, recycling efforts and law enforcement has been taken into consideration.

Mr. Maisano inquired about the status of maintenance at the New Rochelle and Pelham train stations, who is responsible for clean up and can a community outreach program be issued.

It was noted that Metro North agrees that a better job is warranted for maintenance and they are trying to draft a better maintenance plan for all municipalities to follow. The cost of maintenance is approximately $13 million and goes to the MTA to help subsidize the costs.

Mr. Abinanti asked why local municipalities pay station maintenance. Metro North said the County, by State law contributes to the cost.

Metro North has been working together with Croton Officials and would like to see more areas accessed, not only for the Hudson Valley, but for all the good of the railroad. Mr. Rubenfeld said he and his staff are willing to work together with this Committee and with the County of Westchester.

Mr. Kaplowitz agreed and said this Committee will be willing to have and additional meeting and keep an open review of the matters of the railroad stations.

Mr. Kaplowitz mentioned that Mr. Virgil Conway, head of the MTA is working with a taskforce and an advisory Board to discuss and provide input to improve what has been done and what is needed. Metros North has been reviewing a long term study and alternatives and anticipated an answer by the end of July.

Many feasibility studies have been done in order to identify what steps are needed to enhance ridership and advance the efforts of bus services to and from the stations. When these studies are completed, copies will be distributed to the Chairs of both the Committee on Public Works and the Environment.

Mr. Pinto asked if Metro North can offer any assistance for alternative methods to service the 12 homeowners in the area.

Mr. Rubenfeld said options have been raised for improvements, but the 12 homeowners may have to have title searches done. The railroad is looking into providing a consultant to review the alternatives. Mr. John Hsu of the County Public Works Department has put together a traffic study of the area. [A copy of the traffic study will be forwarded to the Public Works Committee for review].

Mr. Maisano asked about the delay in construction of the North Avenue bridge and the New Rochelle stairwell. Mr. Rubenfeld said the bridge will complete construction by August 1^st, noting there were complications while under constructions.

Mrs. LaMotte asked if there will be a fare increase by the fall, Mr. Rubenfeld said, as of today, there was no talk of any increase.

Mrs. Morgan asked if the pedestrian bridge in Ossining will be replaced, Metro North said it is being actively reviewed.

When asked what role Metro North taking regarding Light Rails, they said Governor Pataki’s task force is reviewing the matter.

Mr. Al Anataki asked if Metro North would generate new rail way stations, because he had a few areas to look into. Mr. Rubenfeld said Metro North was looking into Connecticut and some other potential areas, noting there is not an obvious places in the area, but he is always open for new ideas. He said, this issue too has been a part of a feasibility study to alleviate the traffic on the Taconic Parkway and Interstate 684.

Messrs. Kaplowitz and Pinto thanked the representatives of Metro North for insight of what was going on and answering questions and concerns of the Legislators and the public. He said this was a good start of open communication between the County and Metro North and invited Metro North representatives to future committee meetings for occasional discussions and updates.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. by the Committee on the Environment, motion made by Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte.

On the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the Committee on Public Works also adjourned at 5:00 p.m.