At their January 28 meeting, the City Council covered a lot of ground, from deer, rocks, and blocks, to something very new – a veterans’ memorial – and two very old buildings.

By Tom McDermott

At their January 28 meeting, the City Council covered a lot of ground, from deer, rocks, and blocks, to something very new – a veterans’ memorial – and two very old buildings.

 

Landmark Status for Bird, Meeting House
The Council voted in favor of landmark designation for the Rye Meeting House and Bird Homestead, two nineteenth-century stalwarts of old Milton Village. The two properties are connected and sit along the Blind Brook estuary. Both are City-owned, but funded and managed by the nonprofit Committee to Save the Bird Homestead.

While this Council’s designation could be overturned in the future, according to Corporation Counsel Kristen Wilson, Deputy Mayor Laura Brett told Mayor Sack that a vote now would “create an extra layer of protection.” Jack Zahringer, representing the Landmarks Advisory Committee, which supported the designation, made particular note of the distinctive barn on the Bird property.

 

Ceres Garden Club’s Blue Star By-Way Memorial
The project received a go-ahead from the Council. Unlike other war memorials in Rye, it will honor veterans of all services, men and women who serve their country, regardless of whether or not they served during a conflict. Ceres members Ann Moller and Liz Northshield told the Council that Central Avenue and the Post Road would make a great location.

Mayor Sack noted that the City may not have closed the loop on the “parkette” there; Councilman Terry McCartney said the City would be able to accommodate the memorial at the intersection. Ceres will now move forward on fund-raising efforts, while they work out details with the City Manager and the Landmarks Committee.

 

Deer Prudence
Mayor Sack announced that Rye was ready to “take the deer by the antlers.” He will co-host a public meeting to discuss deer management with Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norm Rosenblum February 28 at City Hall. The two neighbors, along with County officials, will take a comprehensive look at solutions to an ongoing problem for residents.

 

Curbing Enthusiasm
The Council reviewed the Stuyvesant Avenue pilot program which set a new speed limit and began a roadside rock removal effort as of November 1. DPW removed all rocks from curbs with some residents wondering why they lost their rocks while others were allowed to keep their Belgian blocks. A discussion ensued in which City Manager Frank Culross said that a 4-inch block was not a barrier, but an 8-12 inch one would be. Councilwoman Julie Killian wondered whether the City was “pushing off” dealing with the issue. Culross was tasked with recommending a phased-in barrier rock/block removal plan, in which current law would be enforced, and decide whether or not the City would do the removing.

The next City Council meeting is February 11 at 7:30 p.m.