FOIL request to Manor finds no records of reports or studies on combining gov’ts in Pelham
To the editor:
On Feb. 9, I submitted a Freedom of Information Law request to the Village of Pelham Manor for any written reports or studies relating to combining governments or services in Pelham. On April 27, I received on Pelham Manor letterhead and signed by the deputy village clerk stating: “The Village of Pelham Manor does not have any documents that are subject to Freedom of Information Law disclosure responsive to your request dated February 9, 2021.”
On April 27, I emailed Mayor Jennifer Monachino Lapey requesting the chance to speak with her about the April 26 letter from the Village of Pelham Manor. On May 6, the mayor called me to say that she had not seen either my FOIL request or the deputy clerk’s response but in any event the response is not attributable to either the Mayor or the board and is strictly the response of the village’s clerical staff headed by Pierpont. She added that she was not aware of any such report and all her information on the topic came from Pierpont, who has opinions. She asked me to meet with him.
On May 10, I met with Pierpont at village hall. At first, he wanted to know what I wanted to talk about. I responded that I was meeting with him at the request of Monachino Lapey. I informed him that she had told me that she did not go along with my FOIL request and the village’s response, though she had not seen them. According to her, whatever the response to my FOIL request, it merely represented the position of the clerical staff and that whatever statements she had made in the press or otherwise on the subject of consolidation studies were based on information she had received from Pierpont, and that if she was not informed properly, it was John Pierpont’s doing. We then debated the merits of consolidation.
I informed him that there were two models he could look at for information; namely, the new Village of Pelham (1975) and Princeton, New Jersey (2013). We were able to agree on the fact that the median value of homes in the Manor and the Village of Pelham were identical. The meeting concluded with Pierpont saying that he would discuss the matter with the mayor and board. I left him with the name and phone number (Carl Ublacher, 518-473-3355) of the person in Albany with all the information on a state sponsored study of combining governments and/or services.
Michael Treanor
622 Pelhamdale Ave.
Kathryn Connors Soderberg • May 15, 2021 at 2:44 pm
It is my recollection that all of the candidates who ran for Pelham Manor mayor and BOT positions in the most recent election expressed opposition to such a merger. Am I incorrect? I would imagine such bipartisan opposition to it means it would not be in the best interests of Pelham Manor at this time.
Ferdinand Spucci • May 14, 2021 at 9:41 pm
One thing is sure, Mr. Treanor doesn’t give up on a bad idea. Oh, I think the people of Pelham would certainly love merging with Pelham Manor. Their taxes would be reduced and they could then attempt to take over and ruin my lovely village of Pelham Manor. There is no compelling reason for Pelham Manor to merge with the village of Pelham.
If Mr. Treanor uses the old excuse of cost saving, then I suggest he spin his wheels saving costs where there really is an opportunity… the Pelham school district. Ours is a tiny school district attempting to accommodate our students with the depth and diversity of the three city school districts on its borders. If you really want to save money, Mr. Treanor, start advocating a merger that would really save money… let’s merge our school district with New Rochelle or Mt. Vernon. We would immediately realize a significant property tax cut by eliminating duplicate courses, administration, and teaching positions while offering more and rather diverse opportunities for our children.