SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - The Lewisboro Town Board has tackled a series of pressing issues this summer, ranging from the purchase of a new office building to early planning for a police and town court facility, and longstanding concerns over traffic and speeding on Ridgefield Avenue.
New Office Building
On July 28, the Board passed a $2.2 million bonding measure to fund the purchase of 892 Route 35 in Cross River – a decision that had been delayed twice before. The resolution passed with four votes in favor and one recusal from Councilwoman Andrea Rendo, achieving the necessary supermajority.
“The town has been renting property between Orchard Square and LES [the former Lewisboro Elementary School] since 2012,” said Supervisor Tony Gonçalves. “We're moving away from that, and the first step was to acquire the building that's in Cross River.”
Gonçalves noted the purchase addresses the urgent need for office space as the town vacates LES. Long-term, the Comprehensive Plan envisions a centralized campus for all town offices, a costly project that will take time. Options under consideration include relocating police and court facilities to the new building, expanding the Highway Department garage to create more space, or acquiring additional nearby properties.
Residents voiced strong support.
“Whatever the final configuration of the town offices, it looks like we will definitely be buying 892 Route 35,” said Christina Ray of Cross River. “I strongly urge that we use a bond resolution to do it – which is a standard process for capital expenses of this kind.”
Rendo recused herself, explaining she had previously rented space at the address. “Believe me, there's lots I have to say, and I would love to vote on this,” she said. “But I can't.”
Police and Court
At its August 11 meeting, the Board advanced another facilities project by selecting KG+D Architects of Mount Kisco to prepare preliminary feasibility analyses and conceptual drawings for a new police and court building. The $14,500 contract covers up to four sites, with initial focus on property near the Town House.
“We're focusing on this property here, which we own, and we have expansion possibilities,” Gonçalves said.
The envisioned facility would accommodate 30 officers, a sally-port garage, holding cells, locker rooms, emergency management headquarters, and a post-event shelter. Court facilities would include a 49-seat courtroom, judge’s chambers, clerk’s office, and holding areas.
Deputy Supervisor Mary Shah praised KG+D’s experience, citing projects with the Bedford Hills Fire Department, Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, and others. While some members, including Rendo, raised concerns about timing, the Board agreed to move forward. “This is an architect that's going to develop some conceptual drawings that we can review,” Gonçalves explained. “Eventually, we’ll hire an architect to do the full-blown design.”
The meeting also finalized the purchase of 892 Route 35, with resolutions authorizing Gonçalves to execute closing documents and pay associated fees. Additional business included approval of a September 6 paint-recycling event and an $18,000 traffic-calming study for Ridgefield Avenue, despite one dissenting vote.
Ridgefield Avenue Safety
Traffic safety dominated the June 9 Town Board meeting, where Ridgefield Avenue residents voiced frustration at years of inaction.
“Not a single promise was kept, not a single thing has been done,” said South Salem resident Gail Hiller-Lee, who described her section of road as a dangerous shortcut for I-684 drivers. “A thousand cars a day drive down our road, and five out of 8,400 are at the speed limit. That's not acceptable.”
Neighbor Carlos Fonseca said his 86-year-old father-in-law walks the road daily.
“What does it take for you to make a decision?” he asked the Board.
Other residents shared stories of accidents and near misses. “Several months ago, a Jeep actually went into the rocks right after Montessori School on the corner, and tipped over on its side,” said Ellen Hallerman. “That was someone who was going too fast.”
Some residents called for speed bumps or police monitoring. Hiller-Lee recalled an earlier offer to fund removable speed bumps themselves, which went unanswered. Goldens Bridge resident Barbara Mangione urged a broader approach: “We have to really look at all the streets. We just can't take our resources and put them into one or two areas.”
Councilman Dan Welsh said the Board has solicited a traffic engineering proposal to test speed-control measures in one location, which could then be applied townwide if successful. “We realize this is a townwide problem,” he said. “We'll start at this one place and if we get positive improvements there then we'll know that's a measure we can deploy more widely.”
Across its recent meetings, the Town Board also approved the selection of Tectonic Engineering Consultants for the Oscaleta Road culvert project, endorsed Eagle Scout Alex Caratzas’ project to refurbish veterans’ graves at Beck’s Hill Cemetery, scheduled a public hearing on yield signs in Wild Oaks, and authorized usage of town roads for the 2025 Cycle of Support Charity Bike Ride.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here