SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - Following a public hearing and a unanimous vote by the Lewisboro Town Board on Sept. 8, the town plans to restrict commercial vehicle traffic on 13 roads located primarily in the South Salem hamlet.
The hearing concerned an amendment to Chapter 212 of the town code, titled “Vehicles and Traffic.” Only two Lewisboro residents posed questions about the measure, but it nonetheless prompted discussion among board members and clarifications from both Chief of Police David Alfano and board counsel Greg Folchetti.
The amendment, which passed unanimously, initially applied to Chapel Road, Kitchawan Road, Meadow Street, Old Bedford Road, Park Avenue, Ridgefield Avenue, Schoolhouse Road, Spring Hill Lane, Todd Road, and West Road. At the urging of Chief Alfano, the board added three more streets: Oscaleta Road, Mead Street, and Increase Miller Road.
Alfano described the rule as a deterrent to commercial vehicles traveling the full length of any of these roads. Vehicles providing services to or picking up residents from addresses along them would be exempt, he added.
He also noted that the Highway Department would soon install signage on the affected roadways to discourage commercial drivers from using them as cut-throughs. “It’ll help out … having a new police officer whose specialty is commercial vehicles,” he said.
“It’s for through traffic,” Folchetti pointed out. “It’s not intended to restrict local deliveries, or local services like landscapers from coming to the residences or the establishments on the roads.”
“I just wanted to know how it will be enforced… and is it forever?” asked Andrea Lombardi of South Salem. After the measure was approved, Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves responded that “once it’s adopted, it’s adopted for good until we change it again.”
“I’m a resident of Twin Lakes Road, so Oscaleta Road is of interest,” said Judy Robinette. “My concern is the bridge over the channel between Lakes Oscaleta and Waccabuc, which is compromised and will not be replaced as soon as we had hoped.”
Gonçalves addressed Robinette’s concern during the board-polling segment at the end of the meeting, noting that the Highway Department intends to restrict the bridge to one-way traffic until repairs are completed. The traffic lane would run down the middle of the structure.
The next major item on the agenda was a newly posted map, plan, and report for the Lake Kitchawan septic-maintenance district. “This is the map planning report that was written by Wood and Cur,” said Gonçalves. “It’s not in the final version yet… but we’re going to go ahead and publish it on the town website.”
He explained that the document includes a list of parcels proposed to be in the district and encouraged residents to contact him with questions. “It’s based on the New York City watershed and on the study done in 2021 regarding properties that are potentially contributing to the high phosphorus content in the lake and groundwater.”
“There are several maps within this package, and the first map shows the watershed area and the next map shows the parcels,” noted Deputy Town Supervisor Mary Shah. “So, you can see where your home is on the map if you’re in the HOA [homeowners association].”
Once the final version is reviewed, the town will set up a public information session for residents in the district and others who may be interested.
In the business portion of the meeting, the Town Board approved a resolution accepting a $38,180 bid from Blue Dragon Connections of Stormville to install security cameras at the Highway and Parks and Recreation Departments. Blue Dragon Connections was the only vendor that qualified.
The board also authorized the town supervisor to sign two intermunicipal agreements with Westchester County: one for a multi-municipality Mutual Aid and Rapid Response Plan for emergencies and crises, and another for the installation of electric vehicle chargers at the Lewisboro Library parking lot and the Spring Street commuter lot.
Another resolution authorized Gonçalves to sign a letter of authorization and complete an environmental questionnaire for the Town Pool bathhouse project.
Among personnel matters, the board unanimously appointed Laura Stone as a part-time recreation assistant, effective Sept. 29, and Lise Robertson as town assessor. Robertson’s term runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2031.
Finally, the board voted to designate Oct. 8, as “Records Management Day” for the town government, during which town offices will be closed. In response to a question from Barbara Mangione of Golden’s Bridge, Gonçalves noted that staff from the former Lewisboro Elementary School on Bouton Road will begin occupying the newly purchased building in mid-October. Departments will move in gradually to the new facility at 892 Route 35 in Cross River.
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