On May 5th, the Town of Mamaroneck Council will continue its discussion of and make a presentation on possible water rate increases to cover debt service for projects recommended and expenses incurred by the Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW).

The Town's total capital budget needs for the projects and expenses total $1,550,000. The proposed increase of 18 percent for all water usage would kick in June 1st.

"It has always been the practice of the Town to avoid levying a tax in the water district," said Town of Mamaroneck Administrator Steve Altieri at Wednesday's Council meeting. The increase would "cover all of this expenses as to avoid the levying of the tax."

According to the Town's memorandum, the WJWW cannot borrow money, so each community has to carry its portion of the debt for capital projects. However, some projects will be funded through federal stimulus money, including the replacement of the water main on Lundy Lane.

The projects have to do with filtration and maintenance of the water transmission system. Some of them are shared with the Town of Harrison and the Village of Mamaroneck, explained Altieri.

Altieri cautioned residents that while the percentage sounds high, water billing typically is not that high. "The unit dollar amount of the increase is not all that traumatic," he said.

On May 5th, the presentation will include charts so that residents can see what the impact would be on an average home in the unincorporated area.

A new ambulance for MEMS

Also at its Wednesday meeting, the Town of Mamaroneck Council approved issuing a bond to buy a new ambulance for the Mamaroneck Town Ambulance District. Mamaroneck Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) has a ten-year old ambulance that is in need of replacement, but was not able to gather enough donations to purchase a new one.

The Town would borrow up to $120,000 for the purchase of an ambulance and related equipment. The Town of Mamaroneck Ambulance District would lease the ambulance to MEMS for the same term as the current contract. The funds already raised by MEMS will go toward the replacement of the other ambulance, said Town Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe.

"In the Town of Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont, the VAC [Volunteer Ambulance Corps] ambulances have been purchased with private donations and have not had to go to public funding for those ambulances, so I'd like to hope that we are on the right trajectory, that the same thing will be able to happen at MEMS," she said.

The expected life of an ambulance is between 9-10 years, said Town Administrator Steve Altieri. The ambulance that is up for replacement will be 11 year old this year.

A Silver Star for the wounded

Also, as of last night, April 21st is Silver Star Banner Day in the Town of Mamaroneck to honor its wounded and ill soldiers.