A CCTV image of a sanitary sewer conduit running through a Pelham Manor storm drainage pipe under Glover Field. The partial obstruction causes the Wolfs Lane area to flood during big storms.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Village of Pelham Manor. The Pelham Examiner publishes announcements in the form received as a service to the community.

As we begin the third quarter of 2024, we are pleased to share updates on the Village of Pelham Manor (Village or Pelham Manor) drainage infrastructure and stormwater mitigation efforts. As a small coastal municipality, the water collected through the stormwater conveyance system drains to areas which are tidally influenced. The path stormwater takes to drain from our community is typically through infrastructure that is operated by a neighboring entity. In addition to the impacts of the tide, there are many other conditions that influence our drainage capabilities, such as the water table, soil permeability, land topography, and impervious surface area in adjacent communities, as well as the volume and intensity of water delivered in weather events.

As with all large capital projects that involve neighboring entities, significant coordination must take place. We continue to work collaboratively with Westchester County, New York State and Federal elected officials, neighboring municipalities, utility companies, governmental agencies, and our outside engineering consultants to help ensure successful stormwater management and mitigation.

Key Achievements Thus Far in 2024

• We successfully held Veolia accountable for remediating their leaking infrastructure at the intersection of Mount Tom Road and Rockledge Drive.
• Supported ConEdison’s Storm Hardening efforts by issuing street-opening permits for work in the area of Priory Lane, Pelhamdale Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, and Mount Tom Road.
• Operations staff has been meeting with FEMA an average of three times a month to ensure we receive financial reimbursement for municipal damages that were sustained during the September 29, 2023 weather event.
• Launched our annual deep clean of the stormwater conveyance system and initiated the procurement process for a Catch Basin Cleaner.

We continue to perform stormwater management best practices. The annual deep clean of our stormwater conveyance system began Monday, July 8. We are also working through the procurement process for purchasing a Catch Basin Cleaner to enhance our in-house operations. We received funding for half of the cost for this piece of equipment through Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. We are deeply appreciative of this financial support, which will provide enhanced in-house maintenance of our stormwater conveyance system. The Village has already received street-sweeping services six times this year, and we are on track to maintain monthly street sweeping services. Street sweeping is an important practice for making sure debris is caught before entering the stormwater collection system.

Upcoming Projects & Status Reports

Our engineering consultants have been steadily working through the design phase Village-wide for the improvements recommended in our Village-Wide Drainage Infrastructure Assessment. These initiatives will continue to enhance the resiliency of our community. Specific updates for each watershed are as follows:

Watershed 1

• Construction crews will be mobilized shortly to implement increased stormwater collection methods along Pelhamdale Avenue at the intersection of Manor Lane. This project will lay the ground work for a sequence of future upgrades.
• Finalize the design, and solicit project bids, for major improvements to the Stormwater and Sanitary systems in the area of Highbrook Avenue with the goal to award bid by Q4 2024
• By the end of July, submit a grant application through the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation Water Quality Project program for a rain garden and biorientation system within the Esplanade median near Ely Avenue.
• Continue to clarify legal ownership of the infrastructure under the Glover Field Complex.

Watershed 3

• Expect a determination from NYSDEC regarding the Climate Smart Communities grant application submitted Summer 2023 in the amount of $1,100,000 (project to upsize drain on Monroe Avenue up through Hunter Avenue).
  • Finalize the design and solicit bids for this project.
  • Goal to put project out to bid Q4 2024
  • Project fully funded in adopted budget
• Pelham Bay Parks (PBP) has informed the Village they are working to compile cost estimates based on their survey work. After such estimates are compiled, they will be working with interested parties to identify the necessary funding to advance their proposed project.
  • Continue to collaborate with PBP and keep them apprised of our expected construction start date.

Watershed 5

• Mobilize construction crews to provide service to the stormwater pipe at the top of Roosevelt Avenue to improve the flow of stormwater.
• Rehab existing, and increase the number of, catch basins along Roosevelt Avenue and Bolton Avenue.
• Remain up-to-date on the City of New Rochelle’s stormwater project in the area of Whitewood Avenue and Pelham Road, known by the City of New Rochelle as Project ID 24-010. New Rochelle has shared they anticipate construction will start Q1 2025, and currently anticipate its completion in Q4 2025. The project may require permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
  • Continue to facilitate the coordination of planning drainage improvements along Mount Tom Road.
• Through the remainder of the design phase, determine feasibility of correcting the back-pitch mentioned in the drainage assessment as a standalone project.

Navigating these large capital projects requires a significant amount of diligence. We carefully review our finances throughout project progression and persistently communicate with all entities involved. Please feel free to reach out to Village Manager Lindsey Luft at 914-738-8820 to discuss stormwater mitigation and management or any other service Pelham Manor delivers.

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