A General Condition Survey conducted by the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency has identified several residential properties in close-in neighborhoods of the city and along the Post Road corridor that have fallen into substandard condition. In an effort to protect the surrounding neighborhood from further blighting influence, these properties and neighborhoods have been targeted by the city for rehabilitation.

At a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency last month, Planning Commissioner Sue Habel outlined a program that seeks financial assistance through the State Affordable Housing Program and Federal Community Development Block Grants to make funds available for the project. Although each of the identified properties have unique problems and will be handled individually, the funding aspect will be part of a larger program aimed at improving the existing housing stock in White Plains and in making endangered properties part of the affordable housing program.

Over the past few days there has been significant rainfall in the area. Previously, because of work being done at the Kensico Dam, the District 1 Water area including White Plains, Scarsdale, Yonkers and North Castle were experiencing a water shortage. After the major fire on the Post Road in White Plains, leaders from these municipalities met—primarily because the mayor of Yonkers was concerned about having enough water pressure to fight a fire in Yonkers—and managed to separate White Plains and North Castle from the group. Department of Public Works Commissioner Bud Nicoletti said this alleviated some of the water supply concern and that White Plains residents were not mandated to conserve, but that they should. He specifically stated that watering driveways and sidewalks already was not permitted because of storm water runoff regulations.

Of the 15 million to 15.5 million gallons of water used each day in White Plains, Nicoletti said about 35 percent went to irrigation—people watering their lawns. “It is not necessary to water your lawn every day for long periods of time,” he said.

 On July 7, because of the fire, 17 million gallons of water were used in White Plains. These are record water consumption numbers Nicoletti said, emphasizing again that residents were not mandated to conserve but that they were strong asked to comply.

 

To reduce water usage, residents are advised to do the following:

·     Follow local lawn watering restrictions and do not water between 6 and 10 a.m.

·     Take shorter showers

·     Fix leaks

·     Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes

·     Don’t run water while shaving or brushing your teeth.

             

Additional tips on water conservation can be found at www.westchestergov.com/wateragency.

For additional information, residents should contact their water supplier or the Westchester County Water Agency at (914) 995-4425.                

The following article has been extracted from the Rosedale Residential Association July 2010 Newsletter

As many of have you read or heard, there have been several attacks by coyotes on young children in Rye. Although attacks are very rare and most often caused by rabid animals, it is still an alarming potential trend. Please be mindful of your children and small pets and do not leave them unattended, especially in a non-enclosed area. Police in Rye have just been given the authority to shoot these animals should they be encountered.

Residents on Saxon Woods Park Drive regularly reported coyote sightings over the past month. Just recently there was a sighting on Rosedale Avenue.

The Eastern coyote looks like a medium-sized German shepherd dog, with long thick fur. The tail is

full and bushy, usually carried pointing down. Ears are erect and pointed. Coyotes are usually 4 to 5

feet in length (including tail) and weigh 35 to 45 pounds. 

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the Eastern coyote is firmly established in New York. They live in New York as an integral part of our ecosystem.

People and coyotes can usually coexist if the natural fear of people that coyotes have is maintained.

According to the May 2005 Environment DEC newsletter, New Yorkers may see coyotes more frequently during the spring and early summer because “the period from April through June is the peak of their pup-rearing activity. Coyotes have a high demand for food at this time of the year, and residents are more likely to see a coyote because of their increased activity in our environment."

Below are a few simple tips for avoiding coyote contacts applicable to our neighborhood:

•  Do not feed coyotes

•  If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior - make loud noises, wave your arms, throw sticks and stones.

•  Do not allow pets to run free.  

•  Do not feed pets outside. 

•  Make any garbage inaccessible to coyotes and other animals (keep garbage in your garage or in

locked bins until the morning of collection). 

•  Eliminate availability of birdseed. Coyotes are attracted to the concentration of birds and rodents

that come to feeders. If you do feed birds, clean up waste seed and spillage. 

•  Ask your neighbors to follow these same steps.  

 

For more information concerning wildlife such as  coyotes and foxes please visit the RRA website at www.wprra.org/aboutCoyoteFox.html

If you see a coyote, we’d like to hear about it. Please e-mail us at

rra@wprra.org  or call us at 914-269-8772 (2698-RRA) to  report a sighting. 

If a coyote (or other wild animal) exhibits no fear of  humans or actually causes damage to property we suggest you call 845-256-3098 to contact Region 3 Department of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Program to request a permit to have the animals trapped and destroyed.

For more information on New York Suburban  Coyotes visit www.nycoyote.org

In addition, the NY DEC provides useful tips for avoiding coyote conflicts at:

www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/19062.html