Lewisboro to seek grant funding for pedestrian improvements

SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. — At its meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, the Lewisboro Town Board approved spending $5,000 to hire New York City-based AKRF to shepherd a grant proposal to the state for sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals in town.

The grant would be with the state Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and would focus initially on work in Cross River. Although the application deadline is March 12, a preapplication was due by Jan. 15. AKRF handles the submission within that timeframe, noted Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves.

“They're very familiar with these and they have a very good track record at winning these grants,” Gonçalves said. “DOT is not going to do any of that work, but they do provide a grant that will help pay for it.”

Under the grant terms, local municipalities must provide a minimum 20 percent match in funding. TAP awards must be no less than $500,000 and no greater than $7 million for any single project. The DOT awards TAP grants every two years, and AKRF has advised a variety of municipalities in the past.

As currently outlined, the project would focus on Cross River. Gonçalves noted that an engineering estimate pegged the work needed there at $715,000. That amount would cover all labor and materials required but would not encompass “soft costs” – a term that includes costs such as engineering design, permits and other fees, legal expenditures, and the like. AKRF’s soft-cost estimate is approximately $70,000 for the project.

Gonçalves noted that the town could attempt to bundle these costs into the grant proposal, but that doing so would require using a DOT-approved engineering firm – which AKRF is not. Nonetheless, he noted that AKRF has an excellent track record among other Westchester communities, he added.

“In the last 10 years …they were successful in helping municipalities win $20 million in TAP grants primarily for sidewalk and pedestrian improvement projects,” noted Gonçalves. “In the last round in 2023, AKRF assisted the Town of Greenburgh in winning two grants in the same round, which is very rare and the only instance in 2023.”

Councilman Dan Welsh also suggested seeking contributions from businesses in the affected area to help defray the town’s cost.

“In my initial discussions with a couple of businesses in the [Cross River] area they were willing to contribute towards the engineering cost, [but] I haven't firmed that up,” Gonçalves said.

The $5,000 fee includes all preparation and administrative tasks associated with applying for the grant. The motion approving the $5,000 for AKRF did not address the amount of grant funding the town would ultimately seek.

“Are we saying the advice is not to put in for multiple grants?” Welsh asked, noting that needs in Goldens Bridge, Vista and town hamlets have been raised.

“I would think that it's probably advisable to narrow your focus and be very specific, in terms of the likelihood of success,” said Councilwoman Julia Hadlock. “It [DOT] is going to want to look at a project that's very specific in scope and clear. I think if we throw in other places …it detracts from the original grant proposal.”

During the business portion of the meeting, the Town Board approved two additional resolutions, the first of which renewed the town’s interagency agreement with the North East Westchester Special Recreation, Inc., for 2026. This program serves several-dozen people each year whose disabilities preclude participation in the town’s usual array of recreation programs. The Board also approved the town’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) agreement.

Organizational Appointments

The regular town meeting followed the town’s organizational meeting for 2026. As the Board’s first meeting of the year, this meeting approves the appointments of staff; committee members; chairs of committees, councils and boards; appointments to town boards and committees’ and Town Board Committee liaisons. It also authorized a variety of town policies and agreements.

“I'd like to thank all the volunteers that help this town and help with running these individual groups,” said Gonçalves.

Several attendees commented during the two public comment sessions. Porter Bish, senior patrol leader for Lewisboro Scouting Troop 1, thanked townspeople who took part in the troop’s recent “Treecycle” fundraiser. He also praised Highway Superintendent John Winter for his assistance.

“It was one of the smoothest years on record,” Bish said. “We collected over 200 trees.” A portion - $910 – of the proceeds will go to The Pantry, a food bank based in Mount Kisco..

Barbara Mangione of Goldens Bridge said some committees neglect to post their agendas and minutes on the town’s website. “I do attend a lot of those meetings by Zoom, so I take my own notes,” she said. “But I really think it would be appropriate and helpful if all the committees would put their minutes up. I know a lot of them do have very excellent minutes because I watch the meetings.”

On a separate topic Mangione noted that a Facebook page for town residents, which she helps moderate, often has posts concerning loose dogs. The town does not have a full-time person responsible for animal control, nor should police on patrol have to respond to such issues, she said.

“I think the town really needs to put something together so that people know what to do,” Mangione said.

A complete listing of this year’s appointments is now on the town website. In addition, 11 councils and committees still need volunteers. Anyone interested in serving on a commission is invited to send a letter and resume to Kerri Wolfe, chief of staff for the Town of Lewisboro. The email address is benefits@lewisborony.gov.