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On The Record: Tensions Boil at Marshlands
Proposed changes at conservancy prompt backlash
Good morning. ☕ This is your Thursday, March 19, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast is cloudy with a high of 43 degrees ⛅ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
The laws of nature. New details of an $11 million proposed county project at the Marshlands Conservancy drew strong objections from the neighboring Jay Heritage Center.
The county’s proposal includes an expansion to the nature center building, a covered pavilion, and additional parking. After receiving the plans, lawyers for the Jay Heritage Center and officials with the Preservation League of New York responded with a strongly worded letter of objection on March 11.
“Westchester County is currently in breach of various laws, policies, and contractual agreements as a result of the work it has undertaken with respect to Marshlands Conservancy,” wrote The Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic and the law firm, Sidley Austin LLP. “And should Westchester County continue to move forward with its intended plans for the Marshlands, will be in further breach thereof and risks causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem of significant importance to a cultural, environmental, and historical site.”
Jay Center President Suzanne Clary said the organization has requested meetings with county officials to share concerns about the potential adverse ecological and archaeological impacts of the plans.
“We see an opportunity here … to pause and discuss readily available, existing sustainable alternatives to the County’s $10.845 million proposal for demolition, dewatering, underground trenching, construction, paving and building of a sewage field in a nature sanctuary and next to a residential neighborhood,” Clary told The Record.
Westchester Parks Department Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia said in a video released by the county on March 13 the plans are preliminary, and the county will allow for ample public input if officials move forward.
Read Camille Botello’s report on the proposed Marshlands project.
One rendering of the proposed expansion to the Marshlands nature center.
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Chris Marshall
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RYE RECORD STUDIOS 🎙
IN OTHER NEWS
PLANNING PANEL. Rye City Planner Christian Miller, City Engineer Ryan Coyne, and Planning Commission Chairman Nick Everett discussed what they’d like to see in Rye’s new comprehensive plan. -Chris Marshall
HIGH HOPES FOR HOOPS. The Rye boys basketball team used a late 9-0 run to knock off Smithtown West and advance to Friday’s state semifinals. Could the Garnets claim yet another state title? -Steven Kearney
EMMY WINNER DIES. Ernie Anastos, a longtime news anchor whose family lived in Rye for years, died last week at the age of 82. While he rose to fame covering major news events in New York City, he spoke highly of his home in Westchester. -Record staff
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SPORTS
The Garnets celebrate after beating Byram Hills on Sunday.
Rye hockey won the program’s first state title, beating Byram Hills in a dominant 5-1 Division 2 championship game Sunday in Buffalo.
“I couldn’t be happier for these kids – and for the hockey community of Rye,” coach Peter Thomas said. “I still can’t believe it. It doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking about our seniors and for the last game of their high school careers to be a state championship win, it’s just a magical feeling. We had so much confidence coming into this game, I’m not sure anybody would have beaten us today.”
The Bobcats struck first, but by the end of the first period, Rye led 3-1. Senior Will Weinman, who scored the game-tying goal late in Saturday’s semifinal, added another goal Sunday to earn tournament MVP honors.
-by Steven Kearney
COMMUNITY
Rye Town Park photo by Alison Rodilosso, tower photo by Laurie Sage.
Work has begun at Oakland Beach to replace the long-dilapidated outdoor shower and bathhouse retaining wall, a project that should be complete by Memorial Day.
The state-funded $383,000 overhaul of one of Rye’s most prominent public spaces will include four new showers, replacing temporary facilities provided by the Friends of Rye Town Park and flimsy old and leaky wall showers.
Amid the planned renovations, another unexpected project popped up overnight Monday, when a wind storm blew off a large portion of Playland Park’s music tower facade. The music tower, part of the original structure of Rye’s historic amusement park, was built in 1928 and restored two decades ago.
-by Howard Husock and Camille Botello
CITY
Rye Fire Department’s current front-line truck, Engine 192, has 85,400 miles.
The purchase of a $1.47 million fire engine was unanimously approved by Rye’s City Council in its March 11 meeting.
The new truck will replace Engine 192, a 2006 Seagrave Marauder with 85,400 miles and 9,410 engine hours that’s stationed at Milton Firehouse, covering all alarms south of Playland Parkway.
“The delivery timeline for this engine is 1,500 days,” said City Manager Brian Shea. “That’s a production timeline. We do not have to pay until delivery. However, we do have the reserve capacity to pay, if say, we get bumped to the front of the line by luck and they deliver it tomorrow. We can pay for this immediately.”
-by Chris Marshall