Former Larchmont Trustee and new Town of Mamaroneck (TOM) Councilwoman Jaine Elkind Eney was sworn into office last night in front of a packed room full of supporters and well-wishers including Westchester County Legislator Judy Myers (D-Mamaroneck), Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Toni Pergola Ryan and Elkind Eney’s mother, who stood beside her supportively as she was sworn in by Town Justice Dolores Battalia.  Click to the right of this article for a video of the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Town Administrator Steve Altieri provided an update on the town’s revaluation project, of which the data collection phase has been underway for approximately 2 ½ weeks now.  GAR Associates—the company the town has contracted with to work on the project—is currently collecting data on homes located on the north side of town, near Old White Plains Road.  Homeowners can find out where the assessors will travel next by visiting the town’s website here where updated information will be posted.

Although residents are encouraged to let assessors into their homes so a full evaluation can be completed, they are not required to.  Residents who are not at home when the assessors come will be notified to contact GAR to set up an alternative time.

And, despite the objections of some who feel that their taxes will skyrocket by virtue of their participation, GAR has reported that, so far, 60 percent of residents have responded to the property surveys that were mailed out late last year. 

GAR conducted six educational workshops in December, 2011 on the revaluation, which will be rebroadcast on LMC-TV, every day through Jan. 25 at various times. Please visit the town's website for the full schedule.

And, for those that fear discovery of unreported renovation work and won’t open their doors to assessors, they may just be delaying the inevitable.

“People need to have permits when they go to sell their house anyway,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner.  

Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson also announced that Battalia will be retiring; those interested in applying for the vacant town justice position can call Seligson at (914) 381-7805 or e-mail her at supervisor@townofmamaroneck.org.

The next meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Board will be on Feb. 1 in the Town Center courtroom.