EIC'S RESEARCH:

EIC volunteers believe incorporation is the right choice for Edgemont and this information reflects the results of our research and analysis. We encourage you to read our analyses of the issues, conduct your own research, contribute to the conversation, and make your own decision.

PUBLIC WORKS (“DPW” OR “HIGHWAY”)

Edgemont currently receives public works services from the Town of Greenburgh, which include:

  • Snow and ice removal and hauling;

  • Construction, repair, and maintenance of streets, sidewalks and other public properties, including parks;

  • Street sweeping;

  • Vehicle and equipment repair (for DPW and other departments, if and where applicable);

  • Street lighting;

  • Maintenance of parkland (we note, however, that there are only a few acres of parks in Edgemont; most public land here is owned and maintained by the Edgemont School District);

  • Drainage; and

  • Planting and care of street trees.

Water and sewer services would not be affected by incorporation as they are funded by taxes and fees imposed and collected by the independent water and sewer districts that currently serve Edgemont.

Post-incorporation, and after the transition period of no more than 18 months, the Village would take over responsibility for the provision of public works services either through contracts/shared service arrangements or as a direct department of the Village.

Option 1: Edgemont-Greenburgh Shared Services

Because the Town of Greenburgh has long provided good DPW services to Edgemont, and has significant fixed costs embedded in this department, continuing to service the new village on a contractual basis would, we believe, be attractive to and motivate Greenburgh to consider negotiating with Edgemont. Favorably, Town Supervisor Paul Feiner has expressed support for shared services.

This approach (the most likely, in the EIC’s view) would result in no change from Edgemont’s current level of DPW services.

We cannot predict with certainty whether Greenburgh will ultimately be willing to enter into an IMA for highway services with the Village of Edgemont, the exact cost of any such arrangement, or if the Edgemont Village Board of Trustees will pursue this option.

Option 2: Contracts With Other Municipalities

The Village of Edgemont could negotiate contracts with with neighboring municipalities (e.g. Ardsley) for certain capital-intensive DPW services such as street sweeping and snow plowing. This would lower the per capita costs of the service to both villages. (For reference, click here for a sample DPW IMA utilized by the Town of North Hempstead, NY.)

Other projects, such as road resurfacing and sidewalk construction, could be bid out to private providers. The Town of Greenburgh already uses outside contractors for many DPW jobs (click here for an example).

With this approach, the Village would limit its own staff to maintenance and reduce the total number of employees required.

Option 3: Village of Edgemont DPW

The new Village would have the financial resources to establish its own DPW and provide all DPW services itself. The EIC’s financial feasibility study provided a detailed analysis demonstrating that the Village could fund a 10-person public works department, modeled substantially on the staffing levels of the similarly sized villages of Rye Brook and Pelham, that would allow for a high level of services (including snow removal) at a cost roughly equivalent to what Edgemont currently pays Greenburgh. Click here for Greenburgh DPW Commissioner Victor Carosi's commentary on the sufficiency of the feasibility study's DPW cost assumptions and staffing projections.

Note: The EIC assumes that the Village would secure sanitation services via private contract, similar to many other municipalities in lower Westchester, including Rye Brook, Pelham, and the Town of Mt. Pleasant. Click here for more information about sanitation.