Good morning. ☕ This is your Thursday, June 11, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.

Today’s Weather Channel local forecast is 91 degrees and cloudy. 🌤️ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.

Rye’s City Council voted Monday to adopt a six-month moratorium on certain developments in the city, including the central business district; the construction and teardown of one- and two-family houses in B-1 and B-2 districts adjoining downtown; and multi-family homes with six or more units.

City attorney Kristen Wilson said the six-month window will take effect as soon as the paperwork is filed with the Secretary of State’s office, likely Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Jamie Jensen and Marion Anderson cast the only “no” votes against the moratorium, which underwent two major alterations before passing 5-2. A potential pause on construction at Rye Country Day was removed at the beginning of Monday’s meeting at City Hall. At the May 27 meeting, the construction and teardowns of one- and two-family homes was removed, excluding those in the B-1 and B-2 districts.

During a public hearing that lasted roughly 30 minutes Monday, members of the community spoke for and against the moratorium on housing. Two developers asked for a 30- or 60-day window before the moratorium takes effect to give residents and members of their profession time to adapt.

Rye resident Louise Murray spoke in favor of the moratorium because of the rapid change she’s seen in her neighborhood near downtown.

“We’ve lived in our current block for 13 years, and the character of our neighborhood has been affected very radically,” she said. “The house that we bought, we wouldn’t buy it now with all the developments near us. ... We used to see trees at the end of our road, now there’s a huge structure on Theodore Fremd (Avenue) that looms over my house. Friends say, ‘They built a commercial building right next to you?’ It’s not a commercial building, it’s just huge townhomes. It’s affected the neighborhood and quality of life.

“It’s not just about us, it’s a good example of why Rye needs to hit pause and ask, ‘What is the character of our town?’ Things happen so rapidly because we don’t have a master plan. People need to say, ‘Wait, is this what we want to happen?’”

Nathan said the idea of the moratorium is to slow the pace of rapid development in Rye while the city works to update its comprehensive plan for the first time in 40 years.

Click here to read the full report by Chris Marshall.

-Today’s newsletter is curated by Chris Marshall

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IN OTHER NEWS

NATURE CALLS. Big changes are in the works at Rye Nature Center, including a new privately funded driveway entering the park and a giving campaign to fund the construction of a new visitors center. See the plans for the $5.9 million building. — Chris Marshall

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. Three-sport senior standout Carson Miller was named Rye Lions Club Athlete of the Year on Wednesday at The Osborn, winning the 28th annual award in an especially competitive year at Rye High School, which included nine section championships and three state titles … so far. — Steven Kearney

RATTED OUT. Rye City Schools officials have taken care of the mice infestation at the middle and high school, according to the district. The district received reports about an increase in mouse activity in late May, contracting pest control specialists for reinforcement after the mice made their way into the school building. — Camille Botello

THE RYE FINDER. Test your RyeQ with this Rye-centric word search puzzle. This week’s challenge is to find the names of seven well-known Rye sites. Answers run vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Complete the puzzle by midnight tonight for a chance at prizes.

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COMMUNITY

Rye Celebrates the Life of Hamish Fenton

“What will you build because you knew Hamish Fenton?”

With a nod to Hamish’s love of Legos, the Rev. Matt Stone of Christ’s Church called him a “master builder” who used the “bumps and rough parts” to connect and to create beauty — just as the Fenton family used the hardest thing imaginable to connect with us all.

In September 2023, Hamish was diagnosed with NUT Carcinoma, an exceedingly rare cancer. Every day since, the Fenton family (who relocated to Rye from their native Australia in 2021) worked to find a cure while supporting, playing, wrestling, building, teasing, and fiercely loving their son and brother.

That work, commitment, and love did not end when Hamish, 14, died on June 2. In fact, it was on full display five days later at a funeral that felt more like a house party — a party built by Hamish.

— Eileen O’Connor

SPORTS

Rye Boys and Girls Lacrosse Both Reach Class C State Semifinals

The Rye boys beat Highland 19-3 on Saturday, and the Garnet girls beat Rondout Valley 20-1 on Sunday, sending both lacrosse squads to the Class C state semifinals.

The boys were behind 2-1 before outscoring the Section 9 champion Huskies 18-1 the rest of the way. The girls gave up the game’s opening score, then responded with 20 unanswered goals.

Both teams face opponents from the lacrosse hotbed of Long Island this week, with trips to the state championship on the line. The Garnet boys play top-ranked Wantagh at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and the girls take on undefeated Sayville at 2 p.m. Friday.

Rye Neck Theater Students Receive 10 Metro Award Nominations

Rye Neck theater students earned 10 Metropolitan Theater Award nominations this year for their production of “The Prom,” a rousing musical depicting a group of flamboyant Broadway performers who arrive in a conservative Indiana town to support one student’s fight to take her girlfriend to prom.

The musical was performed five times at the high school, including one sensory-friendly performance. The production featured a cast of 35 and a crew that brought total student involvement to 120.

On May 18, nominations were announced for the Metro Awards, a regional program designed to encourage and reward excellence in high school theater productions. Rye Neck’s 10 nominations placed the school among the region’s standout theater programs.

The Metro Awards ceremony is Monday at the Purchase College Performing Arts Center, where the students will reprise the show’s celebratory finale, “It’s Time to Dance.”

— Laura Schiller